Manufacture of hand made jewelry in intricate designs is a craft that has
been existent in different parts of the world for over a thousand years.
This technology has been passed down from generation to generation and is
preserved and practiced in its pristine form in many different countries,
including Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka has been renowned for its gem stones and gem
studded jewelry since ancient times.
King Solomon and Queen Sheba sent
many sailors to Sri Lanka in search of these natural treasures.
The gem stones of Sri Lanka have adorned the crowns and
jewelry of royalty around the world for many centuries.
The wedding ring given to princess
Diana by prince Charles was set with a large blue sapphire from Sri Lanka
surrounded by diamonds.
A Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye of Sri
Lankan origin, weighing 105 carats was purchased for the British Royalty
from a reputed London Jeweler around 1900.This Cats eye was cherished by
four British Monarchs-Edward VI, George V, Edward VII and Queen Elizabeth
II-due to its exceptionally fine quality.
The Great Aqua of Sri
Lanka, with a weight of roughly 1,890 carats is the largest gem found in
Sri Lanka. This aquamarine yielded a sparkling gem of 946 carats,
which became part of Saudi Prince’s royal collection.
The antiquity of the gem trade in Sri Lanka is clearly established by the
fact that two technical terms used for two popular gem stones, Tourmaline
and Padparascha are of Sri Lankan origin. Tourmaline is derived from the
Sinhala and Tamil word "Toramalli' and 'Padparascha" is a Tamil word used
to refer to a pinkish orange Sapphire found only in Sri Lanka. These terms
were also used by the early Moor traders who were the descendants of Arab
traders who settled in Sri Lanka in the eighth century AD.