Reasons for buying gemstones

In a world where artificial intelligence and technology continues to figure out how to program human behavior, why would anyone be interested in gemstones? Why would someone spend money on purchasing an authentic gem Vs. going to a retail store and purchasing piece of a gem studded jewelry?

To take the question even further, why would you purchase a gemstone at all, when you can spend that money on buying yet another cool electronic device? To be honest, gemstones are not competing with electronics or most other commodities that you can buy in the retail market. For thousands of years, gemstones have been valued as precious, sacred and of monetary value for spiritual, commercial and even industrial reasons. 

So, why would you buy a gemstone from a business like LankanSapphires?

Here are some reasons:

1. Authenticity of the Gem

Over the past few centuries, we have developed the ability to replicate / imitate. This ability and technology allows us to make tremendous technological advancements. However, the negative side of replication /imitation is that when it comes to gemstones, fake stones flood the retail market. Over the last few decades, fake gemstone manufacturers have gotten so good, that today, fake stones easily fool untrained eyes. In fact, the only way to determine authenticity in certain cases is an elaborate lab test. So, think about it, wouldn’t you want your gift / symbol of love to be what you really intended it to be? Fake gems are not the only concern when it comes to gemstones. There are many treatment techniques that gemstones undergo that determine its true investment value. For example, a heat treated Ceylon Blue Sapphire is not of the same value as a Natural Ceylon Blue Sapphire. 

We pride ourselves in being a true source-to-market business. So, we will be upfront and open with you about what treatments gemstones have undergone. This allows our customers to be more aware of the stone they purchase. When you buy jewelry that are gem studded from a retailer, you run the risk of not being fully aware whether the sapphire you purchase is a natural stone or whether it has undergone treatment. When it comes to sapphires, the color of the stone makes a huge difference. A gemstone that has undergone color-infusion is not a great investment as a natural gemstone that has not undergone any treatment. Our gemstones are certified by the National Gem and Jewelry Authority of Sri Lanka. On top of that, for high-end gemstones, we provide GIA and other international certifications of choice. 

2. Pricing and Flexibility of Purchasing a Gem

Most of the precious gemstones, especially sapphires come from South East Asia. Which means that so many different hands exchange before you get the gemstones that end up at retail jewelry stories. So, imagine the profit margin each dealer keeps when selling that stone. Gemstones in Sri Lanka are sourced by licensed mines. Next, traditional lapidary workers cut and polish the gems before making them available to authorized gem dealers. Many retailers buy gems from the authorized gem dealers and resell them to retail outlets and jewelers world-wide. Since we cut out the middle-man, we are able to provide extremely competitive pricing for higher quality gemstones. For jewelers or wholesalers, this means having access to a source that has direct access to some of the best gem mines in Sri Lanka and world class lapidaries that can customize orders of varying scale. 

For end consumers, we provide freedom and flexibility. An end consumer can purchase a cut and polished stone from us at a great price and goto their preferred jewelry and make a custom masterpiece. Or, they can utilize our traditional jewelry makers to create a truly exotic jewelry masterpiece, transcended from generations!

3. Rarity and Origins of the Gem

When it comes to gemstones and other previous minerals one must keep in mind that not all gems were created equal. Ceylon Sapphires have been coveted and treasured for 1,000s of years and continues to do so for its unique color and clarity. So, if you are looking for a sapphire, the investment value of the sapphire will depend on how rare that stone is and it’s origin. Montana sapphires are beautiful but they are not equal in value to a Ceylon Sapphire. Did you know that Ceylon Blue Sapphires are rarer than diamonds? If you are one of those that have an eye for the exotic, rare things in life,  we have a selection of rare and exotic gems to wow you. Gemstones, real, natural gemstones, that can be traced back to a mine of origin has significant value. 

Whether you are an aspiring lover looking for the perfect gem to show your affection or a custom jeweler looking for raw material for your next masterpiece, our expert gem sourcing team can help you find your gem!

Drop us a line, we’d love to help!

Identifying Sapphires

Proper Certification 

Please note that what we suggest here will only provide you a basic guideline. These are not fool proof ways. So, when you purchase something as precious as a sapphire, it’s always safe to purchase from a genuine dealer that has proper documentation. Furthermore, a sapphire's value is also determined by its place of origin. A Ceylon blue sapphire is a much more sought out sapphire than a Montana sapphire. So, it’s important to know the origin of the stone you purchase, especially if you are purchasing it as an alternative investment.

As mentioned in an earlier post, inclusions are a good indication that what you are looking at is most likely a genuine stone. Another easy way to verify a stone without a lab test is to request a hardness test. A sapphire should be a hardness of 9. Again, when you purchase something as precious as a sapphire or any gemstone for that matter, always remember to buy from a reputable dealer. Fake stones have flooded the market and even a trained eye can be fooled without proper testing.

Licensed mines 

At LankanSapphires, we take pride in providing genuine gemstones directly from our mines. We represent licensed mines all over Sri Lanka. Since we mine, cut and polish the stones ourselves, you can have confidence about your purchase. We also provide gem certificates from the National Gem and Jewelry Association of Sri Lanka and GIA (Gemological Institute of America). 

Let us help you make your special day by customizing the stone of your dreams. Our specialized cutters will cater to your every need. We are focused on providing exactly what our customers want. So, feel free to bring us your designs or we can work together and design something remarkable. Finding rare things and making them ready to be adored is our speciality.

Sapphires … What are these shiny stones?

If you are not a gem enthusiast, it is quite normal to ask these questions. It’s even more important to have at least a basic understanding of how to identify them if you are interested in purchasing sapphires. Especially in this day and age where the markets are flooded with fake gemstones that can easily fool the untrained eye. 

Sapphire properties

Sapphires have a hardness of 9 in the Mohs scale. Diamonds top the scale with a hardness of 10. Unlike diamonds, that only come in white, sapphires come in a variety of colors. Blue sapphire is the most sought-out color, while yellow, orange, black, brown, green, colorless, purple, gray, and multicolored sapphires also form naturally. 

It is natural to find minor inclusions in sapphires. These inclusions sometime decreases the transparency of the stone. In a world filled with fake, factory made stones, the presence of inclusions is one way to make sure that it is a natural stone. So, don’t panic when you see inclusions. It is very rare to find a perfect stone, so inclusions are normal.

Sapphires are unique

Sapphires are beautiful in so many ways. The various colors add to its uniqueness and appeal. Another key feature of sapphires is the change in color intensity, when viewed from different angles. For example, some sapphires will look blue from one angle and purple from another. 

Experience is key when it comes to cutting and polishing gems and brining out the true beauty of sapphires. An experienced gem cutter will know how to exploit a stone’s natural formation in order to craft something spectacular. 

Gemstones are like butterflies

A trained eye knows the value when they find a gem in the rough, covered in mud. We all have gem like qualities, talents covered in mud, waiting to be found. Perhaps they have been found and are now getting polished. Maybe they are already found, polished and ready to be adorned by the person that’s truly seeking it. 

Whatever phase we may be in, we shouldn’t get frustrated. The caterpillar will eventually turn into a butterfly and fly away. 

Life will look different then. Your perspectives will change and new possibilities will open up when you flutter your wings. The “oh no’s” will change to “oh my’s”. Then you will appreciate the time you spent in the mud even more. 

There’s beauty in everything. If we remember to be mindful, we can appreciate each stage instead of drowning in hopelessness. 

There’ll be enough hands along the way that will toss you around because they won’t see your value through the mud or the inclusions. Those tosses are not your failures. They are THEIR mistakes. Through that, harden yourself and embrace your natural tone. A gem’s value increases with its hardness. It’s also more fitting for it to be in the hands of someone that appreciates and knows what they have when they wear it. 

Remember, a monkey won’t know the difference between a gem and an ordinary rock. But a princess does. 

Let us help you find your gem!

The gem trade in Sri Lanka: An ancient practice, dated back to year 1,000 BC

Gem trade is one of the oldest trades in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan gem industry is thought to be over 2000 years old. Sri Lankan gems have made it to the crowns of kings and kings from the time of Great Roman Emperors.

For example, according to legend, King Solomon wooed Queen Sheba, by presenting her with jewelry set with gemstones from Sri Lanka.

Recent excavations conducted by the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka, unearthed several burial grounds dated back to year 1,000 BC or even earlier. In several of the sites there were varieties of polished gems and beads believed to be a part of the jewelry used to adorn the corpses.

LankanSapphires is a DFW based company that specializes in bringing you the the rarest and finest gemstones directly from some of the most noteworthy mines in Sri Lanka.