about
GEM HOSTORY
Sri Lanka the Gorgeous Pearl of The Indian Ocean is not only a beautiful Island nation veiled by the “Endless Sheets of Heaven” , The Magnificently Picturesque Nation is a “Treasure Island”, enriched with the astonishing splendor of vividly colored bewitching gem stones that glitter to outshine the twinkling stars of a cloudless night.
The brilliance of colored stones from the “Serendib” (Sri Lanka) have inspired ancient Kings, Infamous Silk Road Traders of Chinese & Arabian & Chinese origin as well as Historians of medieval ancestry to affectionately nick name their precious little Island as “Rathna Dveepaya” to mean “The Gemmed Island” in English.
Little has changed since Marco Polo’s time. Such references reflective of the Historical Heritage and Grand Antiquity of the Srilankan Gem Industry has indeed catalyzed the Iconic Recognition of the “Ceylon Sapphire” as the Premium colored Stone of the World.
The “Mahavansa”, the great historical chronicle of Ceylon whose authority is undoubted, refers to the singular reputation of this island for its “Wealth in Gems”. Precious Gemstones recovered from the shimmering belly of Sri Lanka have donned the Crowns, Thrones & Tiaras of many Emperors including the British Monarchy.
Sri Lankan Gemstones were positionned amongst the Priceless Exhibits in the Royal Museum of Great Britain. Precious and enticing spectrum of Blue Sapphires, Star Sapphires, Rubies, Star Rubies, Alexandrites, Cat’s Eyes, Garnets, Zircons, Tourmalines and Spinals of unsurpassed Quality and Quantities have been dotingly delivered in an uninterrupted continuum since the biblical days of Solomon & Sheba to this date from the gem rich soil of the phenomenally blessed Island nation. A few of the priceless treasures, whose origins are traceable to Sri Lanka, are Blue Giant of Orient (466 cts), Logan Blue Sapphire (423 cts), Blue Belle of Asia (400 cts), Rossar Reeves Star ruby (138.7cts) and Star of Sri Lanka (393cts) and the Ray of Treasure (105 cts Cat’s Eye). The “Star of Sri Lanka” and “Ray of Treasure“ are the proud possessions of the National Gem & Jewellery Authority.
ABOUT GEMS
Sri Lanka is blessed with over 70 varieties of coloured stones out of the 200 found in the world and is among the five most important gem- bearing nations. The country’s breath-taking natural heritage comprises of varieties of gem minerals, which includes Blue, Pink, Yellow And Golden Sapphires, Rubies, Padmaradchas, Star Sapphires, Star Rubies, Alexandrite, Cat’s Eye, Spinel, Aquamarines, Topaz, Zircons, Garnets, Tourmalines, Moonstones, Quartz and a large number of rare gemstones. Sri Lanka’s major strength is the “Ceylon Sapphire”.
Amongst the outstanding gemstones that Sri Lanka has produced in the contemporary era are the Blue Giant of the Orient (466 cts), Logan Blue Sapphire (423 cts), Blue Belle of Asia (400 cts), Rossar Reeves Star Ruby (138.7 cts), Star of Lanka (393 cts. Star Sapphire) and Ray of Treasure (105 cts. Cat’s Eye). The first three gemstones are on display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC, USA.
Sri Lanka’s Gem Industry consists of free size and investment gemstones, calibrated gemstones, rare gemstones and gem cutting services. Abundance of gemstones are mined in Sri Lanka or imported freely into the country. International standards lapidaries coupled with a skilled workforce adds lustre to Sri Lanka’s coloured gemstones making it the better alternative for calibrated and fancy cut gemstones, high-value single stones and quality service cutting.
Main Export Markets:
Hong-Kong, USA, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE, France, India and Germany
TYPES OF GEMS
Star Ruby
It is a star, like an inextin- guishable fire, embedded in a bed of red stone. The red star ruby is the most prized among star stones. Star rubies come in various colours from red, violet-like red and in varying tones:
Alexandrite Cat's Eye
Alexandrite cat's eye is a great rarity, which is green with a silver ray in day light and changes to red with a silver ray in incandescent light. Sri Lanka is one of the major suppliers of Alexandrite and Alexandrite cat's eye
RUBY
Red colour variety of sapphires also called pigeon blood red. Ruby is the king of colored gemstones and the highest valued of all coloured gemstones for its rarity. Sri Lankan rubies are of higher brilliance with a trace of violet. Top grade Sri Lanka rubies are virtually indistinguishable from their Mogok Brothers.
Yellow Sapphire
This is Pollen of flower' in her lyrical Sinhala name. Her delicate yellow makes this description apt. The colour range is from greenish yellow to orange - yellow. Sri Lankans believe the wearer of this sapphire is protected against witchcraft.
Blue Sapphire
This is Sri Lanka’s Gem Supreme and the National Gemstone: It is cornflower-blue in colour, with a fine lustre. Colour varies from violet-like blue to blue with varying hues. Blue Sapphires from Sri Lanka have a unique beauty of their own. Fabulous Blue colour stones are found in the Rakwana area. Sri Lanka is the world’s best producer of the giant sapphires and one of the largest sources of the finest gemstones in the world.
PADMARAGA (PADPARADSCHA) SAPPHIRE
The term Padparadscha is derived from Sankrit/Sinhalese Padmaraga. It is the colour seen in the lotus lower and in sunset. It is an extraordinary mixture of pink and orange colour and one of the most beautiful and Valuable gemstones. The prices vary greatly according to the size and quality. The original locality for Padmaraga is Sri Lanka.
PINK SAPPHIRE
These Sapphires vary in colour from shades light to dark. The deep pink color sapphire, which is very close to red is called hot pink sapphire. Fine pink sapphires are the most highly prized of all fancy sapphires, Sri Lanka is an important source of pink sapphires.
WHITE SAPPHIRE
Colourless sapphire is usually called white sapphire. During 1990's colourless sapphire became popular as a natural substitute for diamond.
JEWELLERY
Over the centuries, Sri Lanka’s jewellery makers have refined their hereditary skills to the top standards. Exquisite craftsmanship and sophisticated creativity, blended with the modern touch today receives the highest priority.
With the advantage of modern technology and a focus on design excellence, Sri Lanka is emerging as a design centre offering high quality jewellery collections of silver, gold and platinum. The increasingly segmented markets have made greater demand on the talented jewellery designers of Sri Lanka, who responds with a deeper understanding of the special needs of various markets, catering to a variety of sophisticated tastes.
For those anxious to retain only the finest and most authentic items, jewellery of Sri Lankan origin is independently verified and gemstones are authenticated by a government authority.
Jewellery is manufactured in 9 K, 14 K, 18 K gold, Platinum Sterling Silver or combination of 2 or more metals.
Main Export Markets:
Switzerland, United States, Hong Kong, Germany, UAE and Japan
BIRTH STONES
January
Garnet
February
Amethyst
March
aquamarine, Bloodstone
April
Diamond
May
Emerald
June
Pearl alexandrite, moonstone
July
Amethyst
August
Peridot, Spinel, Sardonyx
September
Amethyst
Octomber
Opal and Tourmaline
November
Topaz and Citrine
December
Tanzanite, Turquoise, Zircon