Lectures

Myamar's Mogok Stone Tract is one of the most storied gem localities on the planet. Richard Hughes details the history and mystery of this magical valley.

A lecture on the trading and grading of ruby and sapphire, with an emphasis on the fine points of what collectors should look for.

A description of the inclusions found in ruby around the world, including Myanmar, Thailand/Cambodia, Vietnam, Tajikistan, Madagascar and Mozambique.

As with any field, gemology is littered with dogma. In this presentation, Richard Hughes slays more than a few of these sacred gemological cows.

A lecture on the trading and grading of ruby and sapphire, with an emphasis on the fine points of what collectors should look for.

A lecture on the trading and grading of ruby and sapphire, with an emphasis on the fine points of what collectors should look for.

A lecture on the trading and grading of ruby and sapphire, with an emphasis on the fine points of what collectors should look for.

The lovely padparadscha sapphire is a blend of lotus flower and sunset. Richard Hughes discusses the origin of the term and the difficulty in its definition.

Richard Hughes takes viewers to the legendary ruby mines of Mogok, Myanmar.

The lovely padparadscha sapphire is a blend of lotus flower and sunset. Richard Hughes discusses the origin of the term and the difficulty in its definition.

An account of Burma's famous jade mines, based on three visits between 1996–2004.

A survey of the gem mines of Tanzania, including Merelani, Songea and Tunduru, based on Richard Hughes' 2007 trip.

Putting an end to the controversy over andesine from Tibet & Inner Mongolia.

An exploration of the places that colored gemstones come from and the manner in which these same gems are marketed by the trade.

As with any field, gemology is littered with dogma. In this presentation, Richard Hughes slays more than a few of these sacred gemological cows.