Sri Lanka’s Wealth of Gems
One such gem-rich locale is the island nation of Sri Lanka, once called Ceylon. It happens to be the world’s largest sapphire producer, exporting a wide array of blue and fancy color sapphires including the rare Padparadschas. But other stones turn up there too, like alexandrite, spinel, topaz, garnet and more.
A Voice for the People
Sri Lankan native and gem dealer Zion De Silva has a unique perspective on the trade that he happily shares. He’s been dealing with Sri Lankan gems for a decade now, starting out as Mount Zion Gems & Jewellery. Over time, Mount Zion has expanded its reach throughout the globe.
By 2023 Ceylon Gems International (CGI) was established to answer the call for precision lapidary services supplying our trade.
The idea actually took shape following the height of the global pandemic. “After the COVID-19 era waned in 2022,” De Silva explains, “Sri Lanka faced a huge economic crisis leading our country to experience its highest rate of inflation. This downturn caused many lapidaries in Sri Lanka to shut down their operations, resulting in a higher unemployment rate in the gem and jewelry sector.”
By 2023, with the pandemic in sharp decline, De Silva saw an increased demand for precision lapidary services from his wholesale clientele. “Our management realized the need for establishing a lapidary to provide these custom cutting services,” he discovered. This new venture has continued expanding since it opened a year ago.
Ratnapura’s Importance
Customers traveling to Sri Lanka will find both Mount Zion Gems & Jewellery and Ceylon Gems International (CGI) located in Ratnapura, a name which means city of gems. In ancient times, the entire island was so associated with gems, that it was known as Ratna Dweepa, or island of gems. Ratnapura is not only the hub for gemstone transactions, but the finest gems are known to be mined in the region too.
While Ratnapura has its roots in ancient times, it remains a vital center for the gem industry today, providing employment to thousands of miners, cutters, polishers, traders and designers.
What might be lesser known to outsiders is the bio-diversity of this nation. Sri Lanka earns top honors for “having the most number of waterfalls in comparison to the land area,” De Silva points out.
This backdrop of natural beauty creates an ideal setting for gemstone cutters to perfect their skill.
High Standards Identify the Brand
In most gem producing locales around the globe, rough is routinely exported to be cut and polished elsewhere. But if the cutting can be done as expertly as it will be in other parts of the world, all the better. This establishes a more vigorous revenue stream for the local economy. Trouble is, most stones still leave their place of origin to be cut elsewhere.
De Silva understands the need for gemstones to be cut to high standards to be competitive around the world. He explains that CGI also requires demanding expertise with its staff. “Some of our qualified cutters were trained through the National Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute, the premier national body for gemological education.” But other cutters receive their training directly through CGI lapidary.
CGI employs twenty individuals who serve in various capacities at the lapidary. “Their positions range from management and administration, supervision, cutting and polishing, and also sourcing,” De Silva says.
While social media seems to be the most effective way of promoting the sale of finished goods, De Silva says they are currently planning to redesign their website www.ceylongemstones.lk for a better user experience and to engage with new clients.
Any new business faces unique challenges, De Silva agrees. “But today, after the economic crisis Sri Lanka faced, things are gradually improving. Overall the government has been providing some support in uplifting the local gemological education and trade. However, the government and the National Gem and Jewellery Authority could do more to support the international trade, exports and imports.”
Amidst the complexities of setting up the new lapidary space and its facilities came the trials facing the entire economy of the country. “But, our dearest clients were our main pillars in supporting us with constant work for our cutters,” De Silva recalls.
See for Yourselves
Because gem dealers abroad crave a more holistic approach to gaining in-depth knowledge about gemstones, CGI now promotes gem trips for those who would like to experience sourcing, and mining while exploring the beauty of Sri Lanka first-hand.
Keeping it Local
“At CGI, our team of skilled cutters and designers create unique and creative gemstone cuts,” De Silva discloses. “Besides our precision lapidary services, the gemstones we offer are primarily sourced from smaller local mining communities.”
He considers small-scale mining and local mining communities to be the backbone of Sri Lanka’s gemstone industry. “The gems we supply are a force for sustainability, ensuring the uplifting of smaller mining communities,” he finds. “Also, our location of the lapidary is situated just a few meters from the local market which allows for a good interactive environment with which we can engage in sourcing from these small scale miners.”
Tracing Origins
The traceability issue is of top concern to both Mount Zion Gems and CGI. “We engage in traceable sourcing practices, which reveals the beautiful story of the stone all the way from the source to being cut into a beautiful jewel,” De Silva explains. Doing this, he finds, creates a unique experience for the wearer of the jewel, and deepens their appreciation for the piece.
What’s Ahead
“Our long term vision is to be positioned as a global leader of sustainably sourced precision cut gemstones,” De Silva projects.
But he knows there’s lots to do to make that happen. “For this to become a reality, we’ll need to expand our capacity of precision lapidary services and sourcing methods through ongoing learning and development, and to expand our client network as well.
“As we focus on the value of sustainable sourcing practices, We’ll work to uplift the small mining communities and their standards of living too.”
Source: Taking a Shine to the Rough by Diana Jarrett, published on Southern Jewelry News, July 1, 2024.
