WHAT IS GEM

WHAT IS GEM


Ceylon gem

A gemstone or gem (also called a precious or semi-precious stone, or jewel) is a piece of attractive mineral, which—when cut and polished—is used to make jewelry or other adornments. However, certain rocks, (such as lapis lazuli) and organic materials (such as amber or jet) are not minerals, but are still used for jewelry, and are therefore often considered to be gemstones as well. Most gemstones are hard, but some soft minerals are used in jewelry because of their luster or other physical properties that have aesthetic value. Rarity is another characteristic that lends value to a gemstone.

GEMSTONES FOUND IN SRI LANKA

ALEXANDRITE	PINK SAPPHIRE
ALEXANDRITE CAT’S EYE	PROPE GARNET
ALMANDINE GARNET	RHODOLITE GARNET
AMETHYST	RUBY
AQUAMARINE	SPESSARTITE GARNET
BERYL	SPINEL
BLUE SAPPHIRE	STAR RUBY
CHRYSOBERYL	STAR SAPPHIRE
CHRYSOBERYL CAT’S EYE	TOURMALINE
CITRENE	YELLOW SAPPHIRE
ORANGE SAPPHIRE	TOPAZ
PATHPRAJA SAPPHIRE	ZIRCON

Gems can be found in many varieties to which they are classified. There are several families when it comes to gemstones. For example, the corundum family of gems, this contains gems ranging from the red colored rubies and to sapphires of other colors.

Gems are also categorized into Precious and Semi-Precious stones. Precious stones are namely Diamonds, Members of the Corundum family, Emerald, etc. Garnets, Spinals, Zircon are considered to be Semi-Precious stones.

In Sri Lanka we can find gems including Blue, Pink, Yellow, Purple Sapphires. Star Sapphires. 

Name       Hardness

Diamond ........... .10.0

Sapphire..............9.0

Ruby

Alexandrite......... 8.5

Chrysoberyl

Spinal   ................8.0

Topaz

Tourmaline.......... 7.5

Emerald...............7.0

Garnet.................6.5

Moonstone...........6.0

Glass...................5.0

Coral...................3.0

Gold....................2.5

Amber.................2.0

Talc  ...................................1.0

Diamond - Hardness -10.0 Blue Sapphire - Hardness -9.0 Ruby- Hardness -9.0 Alexandrite - Hardness - 8.5 Chrysoberyl - Hardness -8.5 Topaz - Hardness -8. Gemmologist with his vast knowledge and experience recognises a blue sapphire from Sri Lanka. He decides this by the study of inclusions which are in themselves typical. Good Blue Sapphires from Sri Lanka are reputed for having a very pleasing intensity of colour. Its degree of transparency is very high. Clarity is excellent. These characters combined enable the stone to display a very high lustre. Legend says King Solomon in the Biblical times wooed the queen of Sheba with precious stones from the paradise isle. Marco Polo the supreme traveller who had seen the wonders, mysteries and the unparalleled splendour of the Kingdom of the Cathay, was amazed by the priceless Ruby in the possession of the King of Sri Lanka. He recorded his wonder in these words, "It was a span in Length, without a flaw, brilliant beyond comparison." Richerd W. Huges, author of 'Ruby and Sapphire" book says abut a sapphire of 2965 cts. fist sized example and was estimated to yield a number of cut gems in the 50-100 ct. range. BEAUTIFUL GEMS AND BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY Sri Lanka’s gem industry has a very long and colorful history. Sri Lanka was affectionately known as Ratna – Dweepa which means Gem Island. The name is a reflection of its natural wealth. Marco Polo wrote that the island had the best sapphires, topazes, amethysts, and other gems in the world. Ptolemy, the second century astronomer recorded that beryl and sapphire were the mainstay of Sri Lanka’s gem industry. Solomon is said to have wooed the Queen of Sheba with Sri Lankan sapphires. In more recent times, the centerpiece of the engagement ring presented by the Prince of Wales to the then Lady Diana Spencer was an 18-carat sapphire from the island.  Records from sailors that visited the island states that they brought back “jewels of Serendib”. Serendib was the ancient name given to the island by middle – eastern and Persian traders that crossed the Indian Ocean to trade gems from Sri Lanka to the East during the fourth and fifth century. Sri Lanka, geologically speaking is an extremely old country. Ninety percent of the rocks of the island are of Precambrian age, 560 million to 2,400 million years ago. The gems form insedimentary residual gem deposits, eluvial deposits, metamorphic deposits, skarn and calcium-rich rocks. Other gems are of magmatic origin.  Perceive the natural beauty of a beautiful Island Far and away the most exciting country, (Ceylon) Sri Lanka is an often intoxicatingly beautiful  place,  mountain,  waterfalls,  green carpeted  tea plantations,  world famous  Beaches  AND hotel facilities ……..(Ceylon) Sri Lanka has been described as a pearl in the Indian Ocean.not the climate, the landscape, or the cash, that makes Sri Lanka so noteworthy IT IS THE PEOPLE IN this Island Sri Lanka… IN this Island, NOT ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD, you find the most famous Ceylon Blue Sapphire No Sapphire can beat Ceylon cornflower colored natural Sapphire,• The most beautiful,  the most ornamented gem …  DIFFERENT VARIATES NOWHERE IN THE PLANET, YOU’LL FIND GEMS OF DIFFERENT VARITES IN SUCH ABOUNDANT IN THE PROXIMITY OF SUCH A SMALL AREA.Sri Lanka is special in that sense.  Ceylon Blue Sapphire No Sapphire can beat Ceylon cornflower colored natural Sapphire. The most beautiful,  the most ornamented gem … It’s the trend … Therefore, there is a big demand Prevails in the world market for genuine (natural blue Ceylon sapphire) colored stones.In addition, there is a short supply for natural genuine color stones- The vast gap between Demand and Supply, leads to scarcity.  Go around and search for natural gemstones in a jewelry showroom in your Hometown, check the price tag. Ask for blue sapphire, you will be astonished to see the price- That price tag would be 200% to 500% higher than the price from its country of origin.   Start here to learn, ask the carat of the stone, the country of origin and the price. Do not buy…Note down the price, (weight)-cartage and keep the picture of the stone in your mind, for your future References fter completing reading MY BLOGS TO COME you will able to inquire in detail about 4Cs of a stone, COLOR | CLARITY | CUT | CARAT TRAVEL TO GEM ISLAND BUY GEMS IN THE ROAD SIDE DEALERS.  HOW TO DO GEM BUSINESS?  SRI LANKA'S BEAUTY AND IT'S GEMS ARE WOVEN TOGETHER  LIKE A BEAUTIFUL WOMEN AND HER ATTIRE.                  National Gem & Jewellery Authority  The National Gem and Jewelery Authority of Sri Lanka was known  State Gem Corporation prior to  1st March, 1993. The State Gem Corporation was engaging in promoting Sri Lanka gem in many ways. Sri Lanka was  labeled the "The Gem Island" by the gem lovers of the world by the enduring work of the above institution.