Director of GRS Gemresearch Swisslab Adolf Peretti and Belgian photo-journalist Thierry Falise co-authored Pigeon Blood Valley:On the Trail of Mogok’s Famed Burmese Ruby, which was first released on 21 March 2016. Over a period of 15 years, Peretti has visited international auctions of Mogok rubies where he was given private access to study the pieces using the latest analytical technology. Some of these rubies had never been analysed before, and a number of them are published for the first time in this book.
Produced in the format of a personal journal through the history of Mogok rubies, the book offers a glimpse into the lives and expectations of a host of local characters including miners, Indian and Nepalese brokers, stone cutters and polishers, even traffickers.
During the preparation for this book they have conducted interviews with the local doctors, patients affected by HIV/AIDS and were able to investigate the situation of the children working in the mines who also are suffering from this disease. It inspired them to dedicate funds created by this book for charity to help those impacted with AIDS in the mining communities.
The 237-page coffee table book comprises of 12 chapters covering the history of Mogok under the rule of the last Burmese king, British colonisation and dictatorship, involvement of the army in the ruby trade, women and children’s participation in mining, warlords and smuggling of ruaby, social and environmental impact brought by mining, etc.
Order for this title can be placed at www.mogok.com or by contacting GRS Gemresearch Swisslab directly.
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