Gemstone use in Sri Lanka dates back at least 2,000 years.
The gem-laden island was referred to in Sanskrit as Ratna Dweepa, meaning “Island of Jewels”.
Whilst the country produces many different types of gemstones, sapphire is the most well known.
Whilst blue Ceylon sapphires is also the most well known but virtually all colours of sapphires are found in Sri Lanka and include for yellow, white, golden and star.
The rarest Padparadscha sapphire signifying the vibrant coral tones reflected by the stone is found in Sri Lanka.
Light to medium blue sapphires are the most desired blue sapphires from Sri Lanka. The lightest blue is called Cornflower Blue and these generally attract a higher price amongst all hues of blue sapphires.
Rubies, aquamarine, garnets, spinel, tourmaline, geuda, topaz, moonstones, peridot, beryl and citrine are just some of the 75 different types of gem stones found in Sri Lanka for Sri Lanka’s gem-bearing gravels, called illam, are some of the richest in the world.