Untreated 1.37-carat Afghan ruby and diamond 21K gold ring designed and made by Nasim Ahmad of Nasim-GEM: Fine Diamond Jewelry. The ruby is from Jagdalek, Afghanistan, whose ruby mines date back to more than 700 years and are geologically similar to those of Mogok.
Both Jagdalek and Mogok rubies occur in deposits comprised of metamorphosed calcite (a pure white marble) containing higher traces of chromium than the geologically much older amphibole or igneous-origin deposits at Mozambique and Tanzania which tend to contain more iron than chromium.
Chromium is the magic element which gives the rich red color and strong fluorescence that Afghan and Mogok rubies are known for.
Consequently, many Jagdalek rubies have been identified as Mogok rubies on lab reports. The same thing is happening today in the rediscovery of beautiful spinel in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province, the source of the Black Prince’s Ruby spinel on the UK Imperial State Crown; some Afghan spinels are being mistakenly identified as Burmese.
Born in Los Angeles, California and based in London and Karachi, Nasim Ahmad is a graduate of the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences (AIGS), Bangkok, and the founder of Nasim Gem: Fine Diamond Jewelry, a direct manufacturer of one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces and a wholesaler of fine gemstones. He can be contacted at nasimite5@gmail.com or through WhatsApp, +44-7312-852648. Info and photo from Nasim Ahmad.
I used this photo in the 3rd edition of my “Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald Buying Guide” as an example of an Afghan ruby. The book is out of print but can still be purchased from JTV.com at
http://www.jtv.com/…/ruby-sapphire-emerald…/BOOK000026
About the author:
Renée Newman is a gemologist (GG, GIA), lecturer, writer and author of 15 books on gems and jewelry. Her goal is to provide consumers and jewelry professionals with unbiased, affordable information on how to buy, evaluate and appreciate gems and jewelry. She can be reached through her website:
