Many areas in the
Sabaragamuwa province are well known for gems. Ratnapura is the most important
Region for gems.
Ratnapura means the "City of
Gems". It has gem museums
displaying the wide range of gems
available in the country.
The blue Sapphire is the king
of Sri Lankan gems. The 400 carat blue sapphire called the
"BLUE
BELL" which adorns the British crown is from Sri Lanka. Rubies,
cat's eyes, alexandrites,
Aquamarines,
tokurmalines, spinals, topazes, garnets and amethysts are some of the precious
stones
Found in Sri Lanka.
The cutting of gems is a
specialized job . Gems are cut and polished before they are set.
Different regions in
the country have different ways of making
jewellery . Gems are generally
worn for
Their beauty,
People also believe that gems have the
power to bring luck.
The craft was handed down
from father to son. Now woman too work in the gem trade.
TopazSri Lanka - Pearl of the Indian Ocean
Various type of gems
Blue Stone
Cats eye
There
are generally two varieties of cat's eye. Alexandrite cat's-eye & the Chrysoberyl
cat's-eye, which is very popular in the Far East, particularly in Japan. Chrysoberyl
cat's-eye are yellowish-brown,
Alexandrite is a variety of chrysoberyl, which ideally shows a
distinct colour change from green in fluorescent light or daylight to red in
incandescent light.
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