For Centuries, Sri Lanka has been associated with the international trade in gems & jewellery, and has been referred to as the “Cradle of Treasures” due to its wealth of precious gemstones. The art of jewellery making and Sri Lanka’s gem industry have been widely acclaimed in literary works dating as far back as 250 B.C in the Legends of Arabia, folk-lore of China,India, Indonesia and in the tales of early European travelers to the East, which describe in grate detail the fabulous gems & jewellery of Sri Lanka.

The Earth’s greatest concentration of fine gems could be found within Sri Lanka’s land area of 65,525 square kilometers. Geo-scientific opinion estimates that 90% of the Island’s land mass is potentially gem bearing. Sri Lanka ranks with Burma, Brazil, South Africa and Thailand as one of the five most important gem bearing nations of the world.

A unique feature of Sri Lanka’s gem mines is that an assortment of gems such as Spinels, Corundums (Blue and Star Sapphires, Rubies) Cat’s Eyes, Zircon and many others are found in a single gem pit. Gem mining in Sri Lanka is almost entirely confined to sedimentary deposits. Gems as a resource belongs to the Government, however licenses for mining could be obtained for privately owned lands.  Most often gem mining is done in agricultural lands during off-season.

The techniques of mining and processing in Sri Lanka though labour intensive is very efficient compared with gem mining in other developing countries and the recovery of fine gems as small as one millimeter or less is assured.  Protection of the environment is ensured by law.

Product

Sri Lanka’s breathtaking natural heritage is blessed with over 150 varieties of gems  including Blue, Pink and Yellow Sapphires, Rubies, Padmaradchas, Star Sapphires, Star Rubies, Alexandrites, Cats’ eyes, Spinels, Aquamarines, Topazes, Zircons, Garnets, Tourmalines, Moonstones, Quartzes and variety of rare gems. Amongst the outstanding gem stones that Sri Lanka has produced in the contemporary era is the Blue Giant of the Orient (466 cts), Logan Blue Sapphire (423 cts), Blue Belle of Asia (400 cts), Rossar Reeves Star Ruby (138.7 cts), Star of Lanka (393 cts. Star Sapphire) and Ray of Treasure (105 cts. Cat’s Eye). The first three gems are on display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC, USA.  The Blue Sapphire is Sri Lanka’s gem supreme and can be considered, the highly prized of all gems. It is second only to the diamond in hardness. The Blue sapphire is the National Stone of Sri Lanka.

The entire industry employs approximately 600,000 persons including miners, cutters and polishers, dealers, jewellery designers, manufacturers and craftsmen, marketers and sales people.

Sri Lanka is positioned in the global market as the most important source of supply of high quality Sapphires and is reputed as a quality gem cutting centre in the world, producing stones that meet the highest international standards.

International standard lapidaries coupled with a skilled workforce adds luster to Sri Lanka’s coloured gemstones making it the best choice for calibrated and fancy cut gemstones, high value single stones and quality service cutting.  In addition to the coloured gemstone industry the diamond cutting and polishing industry is one of the Island’s export success stories.

Sri Lanka’s jewellery makers have refined their hereditary skills over centuries, to attain the highest standards in exquisite craftsmanship and sophisticated creativity with the modern touch. With the addition of the latest technology in design and manufacture, and a new focus on design excellence, Sri Lanka is emerging as a design centre offering high quality jewellery collections of Silver, Gold & Platinum.

Jewellery of Sri Lankan origin is hallmarked by an Independent Authority, having membership in The Convention on the Control and Marking of Articles of Precious Metals (Hallmarking Convention) and the International Association of Assay Offices.  The Gemological Laboratory certifies the authenticity of gemstones.

The laws in Sri Lanka guarantees copyright protection of designs. Simplified import-export procedure offers international buyers peace of mind and ease of operation when dealing with Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s membership of the Convention on the ATA carnet, facilitates the smooth transportation of jewellery.

An Import Export Gem Office at the Cargo Village at the International Airport in Katunayake expedites the clearance of rough gemstones and export of cut & polished gems, jewellery and diamonds.