For generations, my family’s story has been intertwined with a small town nestled in a valley between a number of large green mountains. This town, situated in the cool heart of Myanmar (formerly Burma), is called Mogok.
Mogok is an enchanting oasis where time seems to slow down. My father would often describe the quiet, crisp air and the surrounding peaks that stood like guardians over the town. But more than its scenic beauty, Mogok is famous for the hidden treasures it holds. It is known as the “Valley of Rubies,” renowned for producing an incredible 90% of the world’s finest rubies, including the legendary, vivid "pigeon blood" red, which is considered the pinnacle of ruby color.
But for my family, the connection to Mogok is deeply personal, rooted far beyond its reputation. My great-grandfather was heavily involved in the mines that defined this ruby land. His deep knowledge and connection to the gem trade were so recognized that he was once known as the "Ruby King" by the British. That legacy defined my father's childhood, and it has given our family memories that sound almost like fairy tales.
When we were younger, I remember how we could just scoop up sand or dirt right in Mogok, and when we opened our hands, there would be little, bright flicks of rubies resting in our palms. My cousins fondly remember visiting our family’s Mogok house as children, spending hours just playing with rough rubies that were mixed with pebbles on the very street right in front of the door. The streets themselves were beautiful, filled with these colorful, hard stones.
The abundance of gems was so frequent in my childhood memories that I distinctly recall rough rubies and other precious hard stones being collected and stored in simple household containers, like empty Horlicks and Ovaltine bottles, filled right to the top. (In America, I would compare that time to collecting seashells in bottles at the beach with my friends.) That was how interwoven the valley’s riches were with our daily life.
My father carried these memories with him, passing down stories of a place where light danced through translucent gems in an extraordinary way. For us, Mogok isn't just a point on a map; it's a part of our heritage and the backdrop of my great-grandfather’s and my father’s lives before our own journeys began.
If you are captivated by the unique history and the allure of Burmese rubies, we invite you to explore our collections. We strive to create unique, handcrafted pieces that honor this incredible source and the sparkle that defined our family’s history.
I hope you enjoy the collections.
