Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 March 1887 — Ruby Mines of Burmah. [ARTICLE]

Ruby Mines of Burmah.

Owing to the very great jealousy of the Burmese Government, the ruby mines have been carefully guarded from strangers, a,nd from this cause our knowledge regarding them is very small. Tlie mines are, said to be only about sixty miles northeast of Mandalay. The extent of ground over which the rubies exist has not been precisely ascertained, but it is'believed to-extend at least over one hundred square miles. The value of these mines was reported a few years ago to be worth annually from £12,000 to £15,000, but this includes sapphires aud other stones as Well. The mines were wholly royal property, and the Stones were a monopoly of the King. From this it may be assumed that the Indian Government will now claim the ruby mines.' The “gem-bed,” as it is called, or strata in which the rubies are found, varies considerably at different points in its depth. Pits are sunk down vertically till a gem-bed has been touched, and then horizontal galleries are formed through it. These strata differ considerably in thickness; sometimes . they are only a few inches, while in others they are found several feet in depth. The earth of the gem-bed is brought up to the surface, where it is carefully washed, and the gems are secured. The most of the rubies are small, but large ones do turn up; the difficulty is to find large ones without a flaw. The lapidaries, or gem-polishers, are at the capital, hot at the mines. The polishing process is performed by. pounding the smaller gems and worthless stones. These are pounded and mixed with other substances, and formed into cakes about ten inches long and four wide. The good rubies are rubbed on this. When the stone has been ground down roughly on this a finer cake is employed, and the finishing touch to the gem is given by rubbing it on plates of brass or copper. Sapphires are also found wffh the rubieiL The people employed manageto secrete small stones, and these are smuggled from the mines to the capital.—London Daily Xeics. A firm faith is the best divinity; a good.life is the best philosophy; a clear conscience ra the best law; honesty is the best policy; aud temperance tbe best physic. «