Driving along the Colombo-Ratnapura highway in the direction of Pelmadulla, you cannot miss the gem pits in the rice fields by the roadside.
They are only a fraction of what may be found along a rich seam of hidden colour stretching across the province of Sabaragamuwa, which was once known as “Sapra Gammuwa” in recognition of the beautiful sapphires mined there.
Ceylon sapphires are mined primarily in Sri Lanka .The sapphires mined in Sri Lanka are known for the unique color they produce. Because Ceylon sapphires occur naturally, the color of the stone varies.
Colors range from very pale blue to the most vibrant, almost electric blue hue. Our collection of genuine Ceylon sapphires has been chosen from the middle of the color spectrum, capturing the heart of the color in its lustrous, soft blue color.
When one reads the old time travel literature in respect of Sri Lanka, oddly enough it is not sapphires but rubies or hyacinth stones that are glowingly referred to by the writers.
It was the Portuguese in the 16th century who first mentioned sapphires as an important gem export. Vasco de Gama, who established Portuguese rule in Malabar, stated that Lanka had “all the fine cinnamon of the Indies and the best sapphires.”
We still have the best blue sapphires of cerulean hue, a favourite with fashionable women all over the world. The 14 carat “Blue Belle” adorns the British crown.
The pretty purple sapphire is nowhere near as popular as the blue. Yet a colour saturated stone can be extremely beautiful, deserving of far more attention.
And, of course, there are the rare star-sapphires. The largest in the world was mined over 100 years ago in Sri Lanka and may now be seen in the subcontinent as the “Pride of India”.
November 1, 2006 at 3:15 am
Your blog by far the best gemstones blog on the net and this story title “Ceylon sapphires capturing the hearts of fashionable women all over the world” is seizing the attention. Writers need three things, experience, observation, and imagination ‘Facets’, you have it all!