Burmese ruby gems set the standard for color and quality, especially when it came to pigeon blood rubies, but the current corrupt dictatorial regime of Burma (Myanmar), which completely controls ruby gemstone mining operations and trade, is such that no freedom-loving individual will wish to support it. Since buying authentic Burmese gems (or those smuggled from Burma via Thailand) only supports the continued existence of a dictatorship /military government, which respects neither the environment nor basic human rights, conscientious individuals who wish to invest in ruby gemstones are choosing alternative sources.

A New Ethical Mining Operation in Tanzania

One of the recent endeavors to provide the world with ethically mined ruby gems is by a British/Tanzanian group of environmentally conscious “mining amateurs” who founded a company called RubyFair.

In 2008, the team, consisting of Gary Roberts, Peter Brown, Vedasto Kujwalire and Martin Makundi, opened a ruby gemstone mining operation near the village of Ukwama, located eleven hours from Dar Es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania.

The mining is conducted in two ways:

• rock blasting
• alluvial sieving.

Why choose to buy a ruby gemstone ring made with the RubyFair gems?

There are several reasons why people are choosing to buy gems from Ruby Fair.

1. All the ruby gemstones are untreated, which means they haven’t been filled or heat enhanced, therefore are “natural” stones.

2. The ruby gemstone mining operation is conducted in such a way as to consider local miner needs. It’s done without exploiting the workers or the land.
3. While loose gems can be bought and are guaranteed to be authentic, untreated stones originating from the ethical mines they operate, there are also ruby gemstone ring designs promoted through RubyFair. All the featured jewelry is crafted with Ruby Fair stones.

When you buy gems from this company, a certain amount of the proceeds goes toward supporting a local orphanage and a hospital in the village of Ukwama.

Quality Genuine Rubies & Sapphires – Cabochons / Faceted Stones

RubyFair offers a variety of ruby gems to choose from, loose and in ready to wear jewelry creations, from cabochons to faceted gemstones for setting in rings, pendants and ruby earring.

They offer genuine rubies, guaranteed not to have been smuggled from Burma, guaranteed to be untreated and non-enhanced, at fair prices.

The gems vary in color, from soft pink sapphires to the rich pigeon blood ruby stones that are purple-like bluish-red – the most prized in the world.

Ruby Prices

When buying genuine ruby gems as loose stones, be they cabochons or faceted pieces ready for setting, price is a genuine concern both for those looking to invest in the top gems as well as those who want sentimental jewelry such as ruby wedding rings that will be of heirloom quality.

The loose ruby gemstones sold by RubyFair are priced well within reach of most types of buyers, investors and collectors, starting at just £50 for a series of cabochons to half carat ruby gems, already faceted, for about £375 (and up).

Where To Buy Ethical Ruby Gems

There are several outlets in the UK that now carry jewelry created with the Ruby Fair ethically sourced stones such as Marsden Jewellers in Stockport, Hoppers Jewellers located in Darlington, Asquiths Jewellers situated in York as well as unique contemporary ruby jewellery by designer Charlotte Cornelius (by appointment only) and Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design, North Hertfordshire, including pieces by Alice Rochester an expert in jewellery using gemstones sourced through fair trade.

Ruby gemstone ring collections are available online directly through rubyfair.com, offering shipping to the United States, Canada and the UK. If you’d like to look at the loose ruby gems, the ruby jewellery or make contact with the team that operates the Ruby Fair company, you may also do so by attending Rock and Gem Shows around the UK.

To view how the RubyFair gems are mined, here’s a video courtesy of rubyfair.com.

For more information on where to buy Ruby Bracelet designs made with ethically sourced gemstones, please consult related posts. We offer suggestions where to buy a blood free ruby diamond ring, ruby eternity ring creations and other ruby jewellery items that are crafted using stones that have been mined without harming the environmental and form part of fair trade organizations.

If you want unique ruby necklace designs, custom crafted ruby pendant cabochons or uniquely faceted gem styles, or if you need untreated ruby stud earrings or wedding rings, please find recommendations in each of the articles that deal with individual jewelry categories.

There’s no longer a need to buy Burmese rubies from unethical sources or choose ruby wedding rings crafted with blood diamonds, or gemstones that are tainted with human suffering. Gemstone rings for marriage, engagement or anniversary remembrance can bring joy to YOUR loved ones as well as being a part of happiness to others and a means for others to earn a living under safe working conditions. Think about those who are involved in the mining, trading and creative process of gemstone jewelry before deciding where to buy Ruby Rings.