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Tony Laughter was a geologist exploring for oil but found new interest and turned to gemology. He has traveled the world searching for gems and learning his profession. He has worked in Europe and southeast Asia, lived in Thailand for several years, managed a gemological lab in Bangkok, and served as contributing editor for the widely circulated trade magazine, JewelSIAM.
He now lives in Tempe, Arizona, and Vail-Denver, Colorado, appraising and trading estate jewelry.
Tony likes to point and click a camera at whatever he sees.

Natural Mong Hsu ruby Ta Prohm, Cambodia Think you have weed problems? 1995

Tony was one of the first to determine that dark blue 'inclusions' (impurities) of Mong Hsu ruby (from Mong Hsu, Burma) were natural, NOT caused by heat treatment. He established that blue inclusions may actually be destroyed by heat treatment. The Burmese government made a rare exception to its visa policy and allowed him into Burma to observe ruby mining. Tony made these ruby photos as part of his research at his laboratory in Bangkok.

Mong Hsu ruby after heat treatment Natural Mong Hsu ruby

Previously, gem traders and jewelers erroneously considered ruby with blue centers as fake (heat treated) and those like the one above-right as natural.
The next two photos are of Burmese ruby from the Mogok region and do not have the blue centers found in those from Mong Hsu.

Mogok ruby not heat treatment Photo: Richard W. Hughes Natural Mogok ruby Mogok, Burma not heat treated Photo: Tony Laughter

Tony Laughter Bayon Temples, Cambodia 1995 Bayon Monk, Cambodia 1995

Bayon Guard Heads Bayon Temple, Cambodia

Tony Laughter Cambodia River, 1995