Diamonds, Gemstones, Minerals and Jewelry Blog

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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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Paspaley Drop-shaped Pearls-Natural South Sea Pearls- Reference Database -Internet Stones.COM

The Paspaley Drop Shaped Pearls refer to two extraordinary natural drop-shaped South Sea pearls discovered from the pearl oyster Pinctada maxima inhabiting the pearl oyster beds off the northern and western coasts of Australia, and belonging to Paspaley Pearls Pty. Ltd.

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Susan Hendricksons Conch Pearl-Allure of Pearls Exhibition- Reference Database -Internet Stones.COM

The name refers to two extraordinarily large conch pearls weighing 22.4 carats and 17.9 carats, given on loan to the National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution by Susan Hendrickson, the marine archaeologist and collector of conch pearls, to be exhibited at the Allure of Pearls Exhibition, held between March 18 and September 5

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fragments of famous diamonds?

so... was the florentine diamond recut? if so, were the fragments made into jewelry? i inherited this ring from my great aunt, who inherited it from

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What specie of pearl oyster created The La Peregrina Pearl?

What specie of pearl oyster created The La Peregrina Pearl? I don't think it is created by pinctada maxima (the largest pearl oyster) because

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Queen Mary Conch Pearl Brooch- Reference Database -Internet Stones.COM

Conch pearls were popular in Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and were incorporated in Art Noveau and Edwardian jewelry. The Queen Mary Conch Pearl Brooch was designed and set during this period about a hundred years ago, and derives its name from its one time owner Queen Mary (1867-1953)

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Need to Know about Blue diamond

Yes I have recieved a rare antique 1 carat blue diamond ring, It is an engagement ring that my ex sister in law sold to my father back in the 70's ,

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Survival Pearl- 90.35-carat Freshwater Baroque Pearl from North America-Internet Stones.COM

The 90.35-carat, natural, freshwater pearl, considered as the largest documented baroque pearl in a snail-like formation, is believed to have originated inside a freshwater mussel species in the Tennessee river, which was invaded by a snail parasite.

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Black Beauty Pearl High Domed Natural Black Pearl-Information Database Internet Stones.COM

The Black Beauty is a natural black pearl belonging to the American Pearl Company of Camden, Tennessee, founded by John Latendresse, the father of American cultured fresh water pearls. The pearl is believed to have originated in South America

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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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