| Hello I am Going to tell you about a place that has | | | | word used to refer to a pinkish orange Sapphire |
| the higest quality gemstone jewelry also a little | | | | found only in Sri Lanka. These terms were also |
| history and some of the famous gems that have | | | | used by the early Moor traders who were the |
| been mined there. this place has a lot of history | | | | descendants of Arab traders who settled in Sri |
| the info below is from the site that you will get to | | | | Lanka in the eighth century AD |
| see later that tells of the rich history and how | | | | (1)Hopes cats eye- over 500 carats. |
| they make handmade gemstone jewelry. | | | | It is the largest chrysoberyl Cats Eye in the world |
| Manufacture of handmade gemstone jewelry in | | | | previously owned by Thomas P.Hope,the wealthy |
| intricate designs is a craft that has been around in | | | | British banker and gem investor. This enormous |
| different parts of the world for over a thousand | | | | cats eye is carved to represent an altar |
| years. This technology has been passed down | | | | surmounted by a torch. It is hemispherical in |
| from generation to generation and is preserved | | | | shape and measures about one and a half inches |
| and practiced in many different countries, including | | | | in diameter. |
| Sri Lanka. | | | | (2)Blue giant of the orient-466 carats |
| Sri Lanka has been renowned for its gem stones | | | | This is the largest blue sapphire in the world-466 |
| and gem studded jewelry since ancient times. | | | | carats. Is was mined in the Ratnapura (Gem City) |
| The gem stones of Sri Lanka have adorned the | | | | District of Sri Lanka in 1907.It is a treasured |
| crowns and jewelry of royalty around the world | | | | possession of a famous American Gem Collector. |
| for many centuries. | | | | (3)Logan Blue Sapphire-423 carats |
| The wedding ring given to princess Diana by | | | | It is the second largest blue sapphire in the world. |
| prince Charles was set with a large blue star | | | | It has a rich deep blue colour and is completely |
| sapphire from Sri Lanka. | | | | flawless. It was gifted to the Smithsonian Institute |
| A Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye of Sri Lankan origin, | | | | in Washington DC by Mrs. John A Logan. |
| weighing 105 carats was purchased for the British | | | | (4)Rosser Reeves Star Ruby-138 carats |
| Royalty from a reputed London Jeweler around | | | | This is the world's largest star ruby, and it |
| 1900.This Cats eye was cherished by four British | | | | combines the rare features of excellent |
| Monarchs-Edward VI, George V, Edward VII and | | | | colour,good transparency and a well defined star. |
| Queen Elizabeth II-due to its exceptionally fine | | | | It is one of the outstanding exhibits of the U.S |
| quality. | | | | National Gem collection at the Smithsonian |
| The Great Aqua of Sri Lanka, with a weight of | | | | Institute. |
| roughly 1,890 carats is the largest gem found in | | | | As you can see the people here know what they |
| Sri Lanka. This aquamarine yielded a sparkling gem | | | | are doing and offer the best handmade gemstone |
| of 946 carats, which became part of Saudi | | | | jewelry that you will find. all natural gemstones |
| Prince's royal collection. | | | | are of course the best they are getting more |
| The antiquity of the gem trade in Sri Lanka is | | | | popular by the day. |
| clearly established by the fact that two technical | | | | So whether you are a serious collector or just |
| terms used for two popular gem stones, | | | | want quality handmade gemstone jewelry that |
| Tourmaline and Padparascha are of Sri Lankan | | | | you can bragg to your friends about . Now you |
| origin. Tourmaline is derived from the Sinhala and | | | | know where to look for the best. |
| Tamil word "Toramalli' and 'Padparascha" is a Tamil | | | | |