Gemstones, from the vivid colours of sapphires to the deep tones of rubies and emeralds, are among the most captivating and enduring manifestations of nature’s beauty. Sri Lanka is recognised for its abundant and diversified reserves of excellent quality and diverse Gems, making it one of the world’s most renowned suppliers of these valuable stones. In this post, we’ll look at the world of Ceylon gemstones, including history, qualities, prices, and tips on how to identify them and where to buy them.
The History of Ceylon Gems
Historically known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka has a long and illustrious history in the gemstone industry. For centuries, Sri Lanka has been recognised for its vast quantities of precious and semi-precious stones, such as sapphires, rubies, and topazes. Royalty, nobles, and collectors worldwide have cherished these jewels for their beauty and rarity, and they have played a significant part in the country’s economy and culture.
From almost 2,500 years ago, gemstone mining and trade have been a part of Sri Lanka’s history. For example, according to ancient traditions, King Solomon is reported to have received a beautiful ruby as a gift from the queen of Sheba, who may have gotten the gem from Sri Lanka. From that point forwards, jewels from Sri Lanka were greatly coveted and sold globally.
Throughout the classical period of Sri Lanka, from the third century B.C. to the thirteenth century A.D., the gem industry flourished under the patronage of the governing monarchs. The court recruited experienced artisans and lapidaries to cut and polish the jewels, which were fashioned into gorgeous jewellery and other decorative artefacts. Several of these artefacts have survived to the present day and may be viewed in museums and private collections throughout the globe.
The entrance of European invaders in Sri Lanka in the 16th century presented the diamond business with new prospects and problems. The Portuguese, Dutch, and British understood the significance of the country’s jewels and wanted to dominate their production and commerce. The Dutch East India Company, which ruled Sri Lanka from 1640 until 1796, founded a diamond market in Ratnapura, one of the country’s most significant gem trade hubs.
Sri Lanka’s gem industry enjoyed a period of modernisation and development during the British administration, which lasted from 1796 until 1948. The Brits brought new mining techniques, such as hydraulic and tunnelling, which increased production and efficiency. In addition, they built a licence and regulating system, which helped kerb illegal mining and smuggling.
Today, Sri Lanka is renowned as one of the world’s leading suppliers of high-quality gemstones, with an industry that employs thousands of people and produces substantial cash for the nation. While mining processes have grown more sophisticated and controlled, most of the job is still performed by hand using old techniques passed down through the centuries. As a result, the country’s gems continue to be sought after by collectors and connoisseurs worldwide due to their rich hues, remarkable clarity, and natural beauty.
The Process of Gem Mining
In Sri Lanka, gemstone mining has been a historical activity since the time of the ancient monarchs. Traditional, environmentally friendly, and ethical mining techniques used under the regulatory oversight of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority have established several milestones in the international Gemstone Mining Arena. Additionally, traditional mining techniques that have been refined over generations have been the main factor in Sri Lanka’s low mining accident rate.
Pit – Head Mining and Tunneling is the most popular Gemstone mining technique in Sri Lanka. The two extensively utilised techniques are Surface Placer Mining and River Bed Dredging. The National Gem and Jewellery Authority has created a range of industry-friendly laws and regulations to elevate and improve the quality of life and living standards of the Gemstone Mining Community. As obligatory employment requirements controlling the Mining Industry, mechanisms such as life insurance plans, accident and disability compensations, mortality, and academic scholarships for youths have been implemented.
The Characteristics of Ceylon Gems
Ceylon gemstones are the most sought-after worldwide due to their distinctive and stunning qualities. The gems from Sri Lanka are renowned for their exceptional quality, intense colours, and stunning clarity, resulting from the island’s unique geology and climate.
Colour is one of the most distinguishing characteristics of Ceylon gems. Sri Lanka is renowned for its sapphires, which have a colour that is unrivalled in the world of gemstones. Other famous Ceylon gems, such as rubies and topazes, also display rich and brilliant hues due to the island’s tropical environment and abundant mineral reserves.
Clarity is another attribute of Ceylon gemstones. Many Sri Lankan gems are extraordinarily clean and devoid of inclusions, detracting from the stone’s beauty and value. This is due to the country’s unique geological features, creating the ideal setting for developing clean and flawless gems.
In addition to their colour and purity, the size and form of Ceylon gems are also highly valued. Sri Lanka has produced some of history’s most significant and perfectly shaped gemstones, including the famous Blue Giant of the Orient. This 466-carat sapphire was discovered in the country in the early 20th century.
Ceylon gemstones are renowned for their scarcity and uniqueness. Compared to other sources of gemstones, Sri Lanka’s gem resources are very tiny; hence Ceylon gems are highly desirable and fetch high prices worldwide. Additionally, the country’s strict regulations and licensing system helps to ensure that only the highest-quality gemstones are sold, further increasing their value and appeal.
The Value of Ceylon Gems
Ceylon gemstones are among the most precious and coveted in the world due to their outstanding beauty, rarity, and exclusivity. The value of these gems is influenced by several characteristics, including their colour, clarity, size, and general quality.
Colour is one of the primary variables determining Ceylon gems’ value. Sri Lanka is renowned for their sapphires, which are prized for their vibrant colour. On the other hand, some well-known Ceylon gemstones, such as rubies and topazes, attract premium prices when their hues are rich and brilliant.
Clarity is another element that contributes to the value of Ceylon gems. Many Sri Lankan treasures lack inclusions and other flaws, which increases their value and desirability. Collectors and experts highly value precise and perfect gems.
The Different Types of Ceylon Gems
Sri Lanka is home to a vast range of gems, each with its distinctive qualities and worth. While there are 200 sorts of minerals globally, Sri Lanka is home to 75 varieties of coloured and colourless gems belonging to 10 species. Below are some of the most well-liked varieties of Ceylon gems:
Sapphires: Sapphires are among the most well-known and costly Ceylon gems. These valuable stones are renowned for their breathtaking blue hues, which vary from sky-blue to navy. Sri Lanka is also famous for its rare and precious padparadscha sapphires, which have a delicate pinkish-orange colour.
Rubies: The rich, vivid red colour and outstanding clarity of Ceylon rubies are highly valued. Collectors covet these gems and may fetch astronomical prices, particularly in bigger sizes.
Alexandrites: Alexandrites are a rare and highly valued form of chrysoberyl that changes colour based on lighting conditions. Sri Lankan Alexandrites are renowned for their brilliant green hue in the daytime and reddish-purple tone under incandescent light.
The Cat’s Eye: Cat’s eye is a form of chrysoberyl with a unique optical phenomenon known as chatoyancy, which causes a thin band of light to flow over the stone’s surface. Sri Lankan cat’s eye gemstones are highly valued for their intense colour and sharp chatoyancy.
Spinel: Spinel is a complex, shiny gem that may be found in various hues, including red, pink, blue, purple, and black. Sri Lanka is known for producing high-quality spinel gemstones in multiple shades.
Zircon: Zircon is a lustrous and highly refractive gemstone valued for its brilliant sparkle and rich colours. Zircon from Sri Lanka is renowned for its bright colours and exceptional clarity.
Tourmaline: Tourmaline is a challenging and adaptable gemstone that is available in a variety of hues, including green, pink, yellow, and blue. Because of its vivid shade and superior clarity, Sri Lankan tourmaline is highly valued.
Garnet: Garnet is a durable and versatile gemstone in various colours, including red, orange, yellow, green, and brown. Sri Lankan garnets are highly regarded for their brilliant hues and superb clarity.
Topaz: Topaz is a glossy and highly refractive gem tone in various hues, including yellow, blue, pink, and brown. Because of its rich colour and superb clarity, Sri Lankan topaz is highly valued.
Aquamarine: Aquamarine crystals are found in hues ranging from green-blue to blue due to iron within the crystal. They are relatively massive and well-formed, and the intensity of the sea-blue hue is most significant in large specimens, but the shade is somewhat less vivid in smaller stones. Unlike other coloured gemstones, aquamarine’s value is determined mainly by its tone instead of its hue and saturation, and stones with a darker tone are expensive and in great demand. Aquamarine has been discovered in the Sri Lankan locations of Rathnapura, Rakwana, Morawaka, Hatton, Nawalapitiya, Galle, Matara, Tissaharama, and Lunugamwehera.
How to Identify Ceylon Gems
Identifying Ceylon gems can be challenging, especially for those unfamiliar with these precious stones’ different characteristics and properties. These are some guidelines for identifying Ceylon gems:
Colour: Ceylon gems are renowned for their vivid and rich hues. Ceylon blue sapphires, for instance, are regarded for their deep and rich blue colour, whilst Ceylon rubies are esteemed for their solid red hue. However, it is crucial to remember that lighting conditions and other circumstances can change the colour of gems. Thus, inspecting the stone in various lighting settings is vital to obtain a more accurate sense of its hue.
Clarity: Ceylon gems are also renowned for their extraordinary transparency, which refers to the absence of apparent imperfections or defects. Since it lets more light flow through the stone, boosting its brightness and glitter, gems with high clarity are typically more expensive than those with lesser clarity.
Cut: Cut refers to how gems have been fashioned and polished. A well-cut gem will have a symmetrical form and regularly spaced facets that allow light to travel through the stone and produce a stunning dance of colour and light.
Carat weight: The weight of a gemstone is measured in carats, with one carat equaling 0.2 grams. Ceylon gems come in various carat weights, with larger stones generally being more valuable than smaller ones.
Origin: it is essential to analyse the provenance of the stones’ tone. Genuine Ceylon gems are sourced from Sri Lanka and are often accompanied by a certificate of authenticity that verifies their origin.
FAQs
1. Are Ceylon gems expensive?
Ceylon gems such as padparadscha sapphires or large rubies can be expensive, especially rare or in high demand.
2. How can I tell if a Ceylon gem is real?
Gemological testing can help determine if a gemstone is natural or artificial, as well as its quality and worth.
3. What makes Ceylon gems unique?
Ceylon gems are known for their vivid colours, excellent clarity, natural beauty, and their association with Sri Lanka’s rich cultural and historical heritage.
4. Are Ceylon gems ethically sourced?
Many gems from Ceylon are mined relatively and reasonably for the environment. This is made possible by strict rules and close supervision.
5.Can I buy Ceylon gems online?
Many reputable gem dealers and retailers offer Ceylon gems for sale online. But it’s essential to be careful and do your research to make sure you’re buying from a reliable source.
Ravindu Dilshan Illangakoon
As co-founder and Head of Content at Sri Lanka Travel Pages, I ensure that every blog post we publish is AMAZING.