RUBIES: red corundum. in general the highest qualities of rubies come from the Mogok region in Myanmar. Rubies are also found in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania and Madagascar. Generally the most valued stones will have a high translucent quality and minimal spots or discoloration. A fine colored ruby is of high value even if a blemish may be seen. High quality rubies should have color that is good in any light. Rubies with intense and uniform red to slightly purplish red (the pigeon blood ruby) demand the highest price. Large rubies are more rare than large diamonds. Rubies are very frequently heat treated to improve color and clarity. Rubies are often given diffusion treatments to which include glass fillings and red oils or dyes.

SAPPHIRE: in general blue or violet blue are considered the more valuable sapphires. A blue-green sapphire is considered less valuable. Medium to deep cornflower-blue sapphires demand the highest price in sapphires. In addition to color, to demand the highest price it is important for a sapphire to be even in color. Kashmir sapphire are generally considered to be the best and the most valuable. Sapphires are found in Kashmir, Madagascar, Australia, Thailand, Cambodia, US, China, Sri Lanka and Burma. Most sapphires come from Madagascar. Sapphire are often heat treated to improve color or clarity. The lowest quality and lower priced sapphires come from Australia, as they are generally dark and opaque.

PADPARADSCHA: this is a rare gemstone, it is the most rare of the fancy colored sapphires. This sapphire is a pinkish-orange color. Often an orange sapphire will be miscalled padparadscha, however, to be a true padparadscha sapphire it must be pinkish-orange in color. Only found in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka.

PINK SAPPHIRE: this is the second most valued of the fancy colored sapphires. Pink sapphires are often by mistake called, "rubies".

PURPLE, ORANGE, YELLOW OR GREEN SAPPHIRE: these sapphires are generally found in Thailand, Madagascar, East Africa, Sri Lanka or the US. Green sapphires are often from Australia. Natural orange is generally considered the most valuable of this group of four sapphires.

COLORLESS SAPPHIRE: These sapphires are often called white sapphires. They are created with heat by treating pale sapphires. Clear or white sapphires are now being used as a lower cost alternative to diamonds. In the 16th century, a colorless sapphire was considered an unripe ruby, that if it had been left alone would have matured and become a ruby.

STAR SAPPHIRE OR STAR RUBY: blue or red star sapphires are rare, they are more frequently found in black or gray.