Gemstones and Jewelry Blog-Sri Lanka(Ceylon Gems)

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Ceylon Blue Sapphires and a ring made up of a Ceylon Blue Sapphire and Diamonds set in 18k white gold.

 

Island of gemstones through the ages.

An increasing global awareness of the economic potential of gemstones has created an unprecedented demand for them. It has led to an accelerated production drive and an intensified search for them in gem producing countries.

Sri Lanka ranks with Myanmar, Brazil, South Africa and Thailand as one of the world’s most important gem bearing nations. The story of Sri Lanka’s gems is as old as civilization itself. Legends, myths and the occult have been associated with the long history of the island’s precious stones. Gems are deeply embedded in the traditional beliefs and the religious life of the majority of Sri Lankans. Priceless gems are among the treasures kept in the relic chambers of the great Buddhist stupas in the island.

The earth’s greatest concentration of gems in over 50 varieties is found within the country’s land area of approximately 25,000 square miles.

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Ancient technology utilized to manufacture Sri Lankan Gemstone beads and carvings.

Gems have been defined as “objects of great beauty or worth” and as “precious stones”, specially, when those are cut and polished for ornamental use. Over the centuries, however, the term ‘gemstone’ had meant a naturally occurring Mineral desirable for its beauty, valuable in its rarity and sufficiently durable to give lasting pleasure.

From the time immemorial, Sri Lanka had an immense reputation for many varieties of gems. Legend has it that King Solomon wooed Queen of Sheba offering precious stones of Sri Lanka. Many years later, Prince Charles mesmerized Lady Diana with an engagement ring adorned with a priceless blue sapphire from Sri Lanka.

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Establishment of a Gemmological Testing Laboratory

One day early last centaury gem and jewelry traders were elated!. A method to produce gems had just been discovered by French scientist August Verneuil. Just mix up ingredients needed to produce corundum and run through a flame produced by LP/O₂ gas mixture… powders melt and forms gems in a matter of minutes!. They called it ‘Flame fusion processes’. Ruby and sapphire thus produced were so real, so free of inclusions, yet costing only a few hundredth of a natural of the same color and quality. People thought ‘Oh, why do we need a natural when all the physical properties and optical properties are the same in these new synthetic rubies and sapphires’. Natural gem trade collapsed within a short period. But some talked about the importance of the naturalness of a gem. They said ‘we don’t want man made things to replace our natural beauties’. Gemologists had to intervene to identify these products. They found curved growth lines and tiny gas bubbles, the types which do not exist in natural gems. This resulted in the natural gem trade slowly recovering. But it took years!!.

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Famous Diamonds

Famous Diamond and Jewelry collections

 

Gem trade in Sri Lanka during the British period

Despite Sri Lanka's legendary fame for its precious stones, none of the colonial powers showed any interest in developing that industry. John Davy observed that" like mining in general the occupation of searching for gems is a very precarious one" and therefore not "a profitable pursuit"To the Colebrook Commissioners," the gems of Ceylon...(were) the least important of its mineral productions."Even Tennent found that only "persons of worst-regulated habits......(were) continuously engaged in this exciting and precarious trade." He also noticed that because of the gem industry" serious demoralization is engendered by the idle and

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Pearl industry during the British period in Sri Lanka

The Moors of Sri Lanka were involved in the business of pearl fishery and pearl exports during this period. Even though this industry was a government monopoly until 1833,the manner in which it was operated provided ample opportunities for the Moors to engage in the enterprise in various capacities. The Government usually rented the fishing rights to speculators on condition that they fish within a predetermined area, for a specified number of days and with a stipulated number of boats. Even after 1833 this system remained largely intact with the difference that instead of renting the right to fish, the government now hired the divers to work for it under official supervision and sold the oysters to pearl merchants through public auction.

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Gem buying tips

 

1.Important factors that determine the price of a gemstone are:-

 

(i) The type of gemstone.

 

(ii) The size of the gemstone.

 

(iii) The type of cut employed.

 

(iv) The color of the stone-whether the color is light or dark; Whether the color is even and dispersed throughout the stone.

 

(v) Whether the stone is natural or synthetic. Natural stones are generally more valuable than their synthetic counterparts.

 

(vi) Whether the stone has been subjected to any form of treatment, such as heat treatment, irradiation, diffusion, dying etc. The demand for natural untreated stones is on the rise worldwide.

 

A prospective buyer should carefully look into all the above aspects when deciding to purchase a gemstone.

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Birthstones

The origin of Modern Birthstones is deeply rooted in the Judaeo-Christian beliefs. The Breastplate of the High Priest of Exodous of the Old Testament became the basis of the present day Birthstones. It is known as the "Breast plate of Aaron" .The Jews believed that communication with Elohim [God] became easier when one puts on the same gems as the Breastplate. The Western Birthstone system is derived from the 1st century AD writings of Josephus and 5th century AD writings of St.Jerome, both of whom trace its origin to the Breastplate of the Hebrew High Priest.

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Guinness Emerald Crystal 1758-carat Coscuez Mine Colombia-Internet Stones.COM

The Guinness Emerald Crystal which is one of the largest gem quality emerald crystals in the World s preserved in the Banco Nationale De La Republica at Bogota Colombia

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Maximilian Emerald Ring is a 21.04-Emerald Cut Deep Grass Green Emerald-Internet Stones.COM

The emerald ring belonged to Emperior Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph of Mexico, who was installed as emperior in 1864 and was executed three years later in 1867

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Chalk Emerald Ring,37.82-carat Square Emerald-cut,Bluish-Green of Colombian origin-Internet Stones.COM

The Chalk Emerald Ring which is an important and famous exhibit in the National Gem Collection of the National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution, gets its name from the one time owner of the emerald Mrs. Claire Chalk

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Onyx Gemstone Gallery-Internet Stones.COM

Gallery of large collection of onyx gemstones.

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Mackay Emerald Necklace, 167.97-carat Emerald from Muzo Mine in Colombia-Internet Stones.COM

The emerald was set as the centerpiece of a pendant to an art decor diamond and platinum necklace designed by Cartier, which was later purchased by Clarence H Mackay and presented to his wife Anna Case Mackay

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Tsavorite Garnet Mineral Gallery-Internet Stones.COM

Gallery of the mineral Tsavorite Garnet.

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Scheelite Mineral Gallery-Internet Stones.COM

Gallery of the mineral Scheelite.

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Honey Quartz Mineral Gallery-Internet Stones.COM

Gallery of the mineral honey quartz.

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Wholesale Gemstones and Gemstone Jewelry

We also deal in the Wholesale Gem stone and Wholesale Jewelry trade. Prospective wholesale buyers are requested to contact us directly for their requirements.

We have large stocks of processed precious and semi-precious stones of all varieties, and brilliantly crafted jewelry of different designs to suit the requirements of all buyers. Please let us know of your requirements and we will endeavor to meet all your needs at the most competitive prices. 

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Geological history of Sri Lanka

The age of the earth is about 4 billion years according to modern geologists and astronomers. Much information about the earth has been recovered from the geological records enshrined in the ancient rocks and stratified formations laid down in successive ages as mud, sand, gravel, and shells in the beds of oceans, lakes, and rivers. During the greater part of this incalculably long period of the Earth's History, that small portion of the earth' land surface constituting the Island of Sri Lanka, at the tip of the Indian Sub-Continent, did not form a separate geographical entity.
Towards the end of the Paleozoic Era, when plant and animal life had undergone a long period of Evolution, the land now  comprising Sri Lanka formed part of a vast Southern Continent, to which the name Gondwanaland has been given, and which

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Some of our Link Partners/ Best Resources

Emerald Angara has a fine collection of emerald earrings, emerald pendants, emerald necklaces, emerald rings and more. You can also design your own emerald jewelry with the help of Gemstone Designer.