Sri Lankan Gems

History of Ceylon Gems THE HISTORY OF GEMS IN SRI LANKA Sri Lanka or Ceylon until 1972 is well known throughout the world for the large quantity and exquisite variety of its gemstones.  Its mineral rich soils have been yielding seemingly a never ending supply of high quality precious and semi-precious gem stones. Sri Lankan chronicle Mahavamsa records Ceylon was known as "Rathna deepa" in Sanskrit meaning The Island of Jewells. Sri Lanka has a rich history of large deposits of diverse gems stones.Ratnapura (‘City of Gems' in Singhalese) incredible variety of gemstones, many of them outstanding in comparison with stones from other regions. Since the early times Ceylon produces Blue, Golden Yellow, Pink, Orange sapphires, Rubies,Pinkish yellow (Padparadscha) Chrysoberyl cat's eyes,Alexandrite color changing garnets, Star sapphires, Garnets, Zircons, Tourmalines and Spinals.  The chronicle also mentions encrusted thrones owned by Naga king in...

Alexandrite Gemstone Information More Posts * Gem, Diamond and Jewellery   * Gemstones Found in Sri Lanka * WORLD FAMOUS GEMSTONES FROM SRI LANKA * BLUE SAPPHIRES ALEXANDRITE Alexandrite gemstone is famous for its magical characteristic of changing its colour under different lighting conditions. It is one of the scarcest and cherished of coloured stone among the Collectors due to its peculiar nature of exhibiting green in natural light and a reddish-purple under incandescent lighting. It is believed that it is been first to have found near River of Tokovaya in the emerald mines in Ural Mountains. Similar to other precious stones. Alexandrite also emerges millions of years ago. Unlike many other stones this requires specific geological condition. The main composition of beryllium and the colouring agent Chromium are found in different types rocks the combination is very hard to come by making them the scarce stones. Sri Lanka i...

Star Sapphire Gemstone Information STAR SAPPHIRES Star Sapphires are gorgeous and enthralling gemstones that show a distinct star ray across the face of the stone.    Star Sapphires are always cut into a Cabochon shape with a high dome. This is the only way that the shining star will be seen from the stone. Cutting star sapphires is often remain very few cutters. Miners and first hand buyers only trust the highly experienced cutters who have years' experience and specialization as the cutter need to strike the balance between the carats, stars and colour. The star in star Sapphires is caused by a phenomenon called Asterism. When viewed with a single overhead light source star Sapphires will show a six rayed star pattern. In most of the cases the star can be clearly under natural light, but it can also be viewed using a strong source of direct light such as a penlight or a halogen bulb. This pattern is caused by microscopic inclusions created by the i...

Yellow Sapphire Gemstone Information YELLOW SAPPHIRES(PUKHRAJ) Pukhraj meaning the yellow jewel in the Hindi. The bright crisp brilliance sparkling are the foremost characters of the yellow sapphires. Yellow sapphires are the Second most abundantly found sapphires in Sri Lanka. Golden yellow being the premium colour kind of its demanding a highest price. The Jewelers prefers the Yellow sapphires as this occurs in different colours ranging from Pale yellow, Bright lemon to Golden Yellow.Transparency and colour saturation, distribution and purity are the prominent features making the yellow desired among the collectors and Jewelers. India is the largest market for the yellow sapphires. The believers of astrology in Hindu culture ruminates that yellow sapphire has miraculous properties. It is most recognized gemstones in vedic astrology worn for professional success, marital bliss, improved will power and healthy progeny as a result making it is made in...

Padparadscha Sapphires PADPARADSCHA SAPPHIRE Padparadscha is the rarest variety of sapphire found in sri Lanka. In fact, it's the most rare, and most prized form of sapphire.   The Name is Sinhalese word "padma radschen", meaning lotus blossom, as the colour of stone is of a similar colour to the lotus blossom. The ideal colour of the padparadscha is the combination of lotus flower and tropical sunset. However there has been differing arguments among experts defining its colour. A survey was taken among the Sri Lankan to identify the colour where most respondents predominantly identified as mentioned in the below table. Many participant indicated 'Deep and vivid' mixture of pink and orange as cherished colour spectrum of padparadscha stone. Ring of padparadcha included It is considered among the most beautiful and valuable of the corundum gems. With prices superseding to those of emeralds and rubies. Prices for padparadscha can greatly va...

Rubies Gemstone RUBY Rubies have been the most valuable stones for centauries making them the highest priced stones among the coloured Gem stones. Ruby is considered one of the four precious stones, together with sapphire, emerald and diamond. It is called "Ratna Raja" meaning the king of Gems. A ruby is a pink to blood-red coloured gemstone. Belonging to the corundum mineral family.The Sparkling red colour is due to chromium impurities flowing in to the gems stones during its cooling process making them glowing in energy. Long before Diamond became popular,coloured stones are the ones being favored and valued by the oldest of civilizations and cultures. It is believed Red colour of the rubies resembles love, passion, energy, protection, prosperity strength and power to the wearer making the most critical stones in the crowns of many monarchies. Finest quality rubies are produced in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Mozambique and Tanzania. Compa...