Investing in gemstones and diamonds

Sri Lanka or Ceylon, as it was formerly known, has been known throughout history for it’s blue sapphire. Sapphires and gemstones in general, add a wide range of options to the world of jewelry. Gemstones, while providing opportunities for brilliant and luxurious fashion statements, are more affordable in price than diamonds. Rarity (Ceylon blue sapphires are rarer than diamonds), rising value and elite popularity in gemstones such as sapphires, ruby, spinel, garnets, etc. continue to add to their value as compact, portable and private investment options. 

Gemstones: Rarity a value

Today, the jewelry market is flooded with diamonds and it seems as if everyone’s got one. While diamonds are still a smart investment option, the controversies that surround its sourcing and lab manufactured diamonds flooding the market, make diamonds a less rare luxury than an unheated Ceylon Blue Sapphire. Ceylon Blue Sapphires have a history of increasing value over time, mainly due to their rarity and elite preference. Diamonds, are the hardest mineral in the Moh’s scale of hardness, with a hardness of 10. Sapphires and Ruby’s are corundum with a hardness of 9. 

Gemstone quality matters when investing

High quality gemstones are worth investing in, just like gold and silver. There are some factors that determine the value of a gemstone: place of origin, color, clarity and cut are some of the most important. For example, when it comes to blue sapphires, Sri Lanka, Burma and Kashmir sapphires are the most valued. There are two main shades of blue that are highly sought after in blue sapphires: Corn flower blue and Royal Blue. Mixed sapphires such as Padmaraga are also highly valued by collectors for their rarity and the enchanting mix of colors. When it comes to cutting and polishing a fine corundum such as a sapphire, Sri Lankan gem cutters have earned respect around the world for their precision and skill. How a fine gemstone is cut and polished has a direct impact on the value of a stone, so it too will play a role on determining the value of a gemstone. 

If you are looking to find something rare for your loved one or looking to make an investment in fine gemstones, our dedicated lapidary personnel and certified mining network can find some of the best gemstones mother earth has to offer. 

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!

We are here to add something unique and memorable to your life

Choosing the perfect gemstone for your loved one is an extremely important decision. We are here to make your search easy by providing the rarest, natural and custom gemstones from trusted gem mines all over Sri Lanka.

Gemstones are rare and valuable

Our gemstones are truly one-of-a-kind. For example, untreated blue sapphires make up less than 1% of what is available on the market! Natural gemstones have significantly more value over commercially treated stones.

While there are other websites with wonderful pictures, it is truly difficult to see the true value of a gemstone by looking at a picture. That’s why we are not big into putting up a whole lot of images. Our main purpose of putting up images is to show our customers that we have new inventory. We understand that you need to see the REAL THING, not an image of it before you purchase it.

Gemstone cutting is important

When you purchase something as rare and valuable as a gemstone, it’s important that it is cut by a quality craftsman. Our gemstones are cut by one of the leading gem cutters in Sri Lanka that takes pride in providing perfectly cut gemstones in all shapes and sizes. We are dedicated to providing single stones for individuals and collectors as well as fulfilling calibrated orders for jewelers. 

Whether you are looking to find gemstone for a custom jewelry piece or you need a custom jewelry solution, you have come to the right place. We are happy to work with you on customizing our services so you can show that special someone how much you care. 

Just fill out the form below with your request or idea to get started with creating something beautiful. 

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.