Treasures of royalty and thousands years of global quest, ruby is ranked amongst the rarest and the most expensive gem material. Ranging from pinkish red to intense blood red, this chromium rich variety of corundum has been discovered at Nangimali, Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, a remote area in Kashmir Himalayas. The deposit is located at an elevation of 4,400 meters (14500 ft.), thus making it as the highest ruby deposit of the world.

The mode of occurrence of Kashmir Ruby is very similar to that found in Burma (Myanmar). Comprehensive evaluation studies have established that despite being analogous to Burmese material, they are of distinctively peculiar qualities thereby adding more to their beauty. According to an international specialist, Mr. CR. Beesley, President of American Gemological Labs. &. GEMCORE, who conducted a detailed study of these gems for the United Nation Mineral Development Branch, like the sapphires of Kashmir; reveals that the majority of these new rubies have distinctive characteristics which uniquely identify them as "Kashmir".
The resource potential of Kashmir Ruby deposits at Nangimali has been assessed to be 24.900 million gram. A pre-feasibility study, prepared by the UNDP consultant, justifies commercial exploitation of the deposit. The new discovery was introduced to the international gem market as Kashmir Ruby through promotional activities with the collaboration of UNDP and it has been accepted as fine gem.