TWELvE POpULAr GEMStONES FrOM SrI LANKA

RUbY
Red colour variety of the Corundum mineral species.
Composition: Properties: Refractive index: Colour: Aluminium oxide with traces of chromium Hardness- 9; Density: 4.0; 1.776 1.770; Birefringence: 0.008 Red with a trace of violet. Also called pigeon blood red. Red fluorescence intensifies the body colour. Most valuable of all coloured gemstones

Valuation:
Blue colour of Peacock neck

SAppHIrE
Blue colour variety of the Corundum mineral species. Composition: Properties: Colour: Valuation: Aluminium oxide with traces of iron and titanium Hardness- 9; Density: 4.0; Blue, violetish blue in varying tones Most valuable and most favoured of coloured gemstones

The name ruby was derived from the Latin word rubens, meaning red. Ruby red colour represents love, passion and power. Ruby is the birthstone for July and associated with Zodiac signs Leo and Cancer. Ruby is associated with the Sun in Vedic astrology. It is the gemstone for 40th wedding anniversary Ruby is the king of coloured gemstones and also the magnificent red variety of the multi-coloured corundum species, with bright red of body colour and fluorescence, supreme hardness and toughness, outstanding brilliance and luster and the highest value of all coloured gemstones for the rarity. Bright red colour of Burmese ruby from Mogok valley in Myanmar is in the top place in demand. Rubies from Sri Lanka are of higher brilliance, with a trace of violet. Top grade Sri Lanka reds (rubies) are virtually indistinguishable from their Mogok brotheren Richard W Hughes
View of a gem mining area in Sri Lanka

Refractive index: 1.776 1.770; Birefringence: 0.008

There is a wide range of views among the origin of the word Sapphire. One is that it may have originated from Sanskrit, meaning precious to the Saturn Sanipriya ( Sani = Saturn, Priya = Precious). Buddhist monks who moved to Middle East introduced the stone as Sani piriya and eventually become sapir and sapphire. Blue sapphire is associated with Saturn and is the birthstone for September. The 45th wedding anniversary is known as the sapphire anniversary. Blue sapphires from Sri Lanka have a unique beauty all their own, Rakawana stones are of particular note with their colour compared to that found on the tip of a peacock feather or that on a peacock neck Sri Lanka is the worlds most prolific producer of giant sapphires (of more than 100 carats) Richard W Hughes

ALEXANDrItE
Colour changing variety of the Chrysoberyl mineral species. Beryllium aluminium oxide with traces of chromium Properties: Hardness- 8.5; Density: 3.71; Refractive index: 1.745 1.754; Birefringence: 0.009 Colour: Green body colour for day light changing to red colour under tungsten light Valuation: One of the most valuable gemstones, and the prices vary greatly according to size and quality. This gem was named in honour of tsar prince Alexander Nicolajewitsch on the occasion of his coming of age at his 16th year, on his birthday of 17th April, 1834 as future Tsar Alexander II. during which time the Russian imperial colours were also red and green. Composition: Sri Lanka is one of the suppliers of Alexandrite and Alexandrite Cats Eye varieties Alexandrite is reputed to aid creativity and inspire the imagination. It is also considered a stone of very good omen. In critical situations, when logic is not the answer, the wearer of this gem will be helped to overcome by strengthening his intuition. Alexandrite is the gemstone for 55th anniversary If you love magic, especially the magic of science, youll love alexandrite, the color-change gem. Outside in daylight, it is a cool bluish mossy green. Inside in lamplight, it is a red gem, with a warm raspberry tone. You can watch it flick back and forth by switching from fluorescent to incandescent light. AGTA Gemstone Information.
View of a gm mining area in Sri Lanka

The colors seen in the lotus flower with pink petals and yellow colour pollen.

PADMArADScHA
Pink and yellow mixed variety of the Corundum mineral species Composition: Aluminium oxide with traces of chromium and yellow colour centres Hardness- 9; Density: 4.0; Pink with a mixture of yellow/ orange- Compared to colour of the Lotus Flower. Fluorescence of red and orange. It is one of the most beautiful and valuable gemstones, and the prices vary greatly according to size and quality.

Properties: Colour:

Refractive index: 1.776 1.770; Birefringence: 0.008

Valuation:

The term Padmardscha is derived from the Sanskrit / Sinhalese padmaraga, the colors seen in the lotus flower with pink petals and yellow colour pollen. It is the special variety of the corundum species, in an extraordinary mixture of pink and orange colours. Some define the gems color as a blend of lotus flower and sunset. The original locality for Padparadscha was Sri Lanka (Ceylon). Fine stones have also been found in Vietnams Quy Chau district, Tanzanias Tunduru district, and Madagascar. AGTA GTCs Laboratory Update for July 12, 2005

It is one of the lucky stones for those born under the sign of Leo. Cats Eye is the gemstone for 18th anniversary

StAr SAppHIrE
Blue colour Star variety of the Corundum mineral species. Composition: Aluminium oxide with traces of iron and titanium for colour and oriented fine rutile needles in three directions. Hardness- 9; Density: 4.0; Blue, violetish blue in varying tones Star Effect with bright silky rays in three directions

Properties:
Cats eye two ways of Natures creation for reaction of light

Refractive index: 1.776 1.770; Birefringence: 0.008 Colour: Valuation:

CAtS EYE
Cats eye variety of the Chrysoberyl species. Composition: Properties: Colour: Beryllium aluminium oxide and silky inclusion Hardness- 8_; Density: 3.71: Brown, green, yellow and their mixed hues. Special optical effect: Chatoyancy, the cats eye effect due to oriented fine silky inclusions. One of the most valuable gemstones, and the prices vary greatly according to size and quality.

Refractive index: 1.745 1.754; Birefringence: 0.009

Some of the giant Star Sapphires from Sri Lanka are; Star of Artaban (316 carats) and the Bismark Sapphire of (98.6 carats), both in Smithsonian collection, Star of India and Midnight Star (116.75 carats), both in American Museum of National History in New York and also the finest 393 carat Star of Sri Lanka in possession of the National Gem & Jewellery Authrity Over the years Sri Lanka has produced some fantastic natural blue sapphires of large, both faceted and stars. These include top quality gems in the 100 300 ct range. Many of the largest sapphires in museum collections around the world have originated from the gem gravels of Sri Lanka. Richard W.Hughes

Valuation:

Cats Eye and Alexandrite Cats Eye varieties of the Chrysoberyl species are found in Sri Lanka gem gravel, some of which are of top quality and in large sizes. Ray of Treasure Cats Eye of 105 carats is a part of the gemstone collection of the National Gem & Jewellery Authority. Cats Eye is the variety of Chrysoberyl species which is believed to posses some special qualities. It has been regarded as an effective protective stone and talisman gemstone to keep disaster away. Chrysoberyl with its golden tones, is often associated with wealth, a reason to consider that its Cats Eye is one among the gemstones of the luxury class. This gemstone helps to maintain discipline and self-control, promote concentration and the ability to learn, and enable the wearer to think clearly and far-sightedly. It also transforms the negative thoughts of the wearer into positive energy, and promotes tolerance and harmony.

Manual river dredging for gemstones in Sri Lanka

MOONSTONE
A variety of the feldspar group- Potassium aluminium silicate with special optical effect of schiller called Adularescence Properties: Hardness - 6 6.5; Density- 2.56; Refractive index: 1.520 1.539; Birefringence: 0.008 Colour: Moonstones come in a variety of colors. The body color can range from colorless to white, gray, brown, yellow, green, or pink. Its beauty is produced by white or blue schiller effect.
Gem gravel brought to cane baskets for washing

STAR RUBY
Red coloured Star variety of the Corundum mineral species Aluminium oxide with traces of chromium for colour and oriented fine rutile needles in three directions. Properties: Hardness- 9; Density: 4.01 Refractive index: 1.776 1.770; Birefringence: 0.008 Colour: Red, violetish red in varying tones Special Optical Star Effect with bright silky rays Effects: in three directions Valuation: One of the valuable gemstones Composition: This phenomenon of asterism, producing star effect is caused by very fine needles of rutile oriented in three directions. When perfectly cut, the six-spoked star will be seen to glide magically across the surface of the stone when the latter is moved. The value depends on the beauty and attractiveness of the hot red colour and transparency, in addition to the well centred strong and sharp rays of the star. Sri Lanka Star Rubies are light red, like ripe raspberries. But, with very bright rays of the star.

Identification of moonstone is the display of shimmer, caused by the intergrowth of two different varieties of feldspar, with different refractive values. Its characteristic inclusion is called centepede or Chinese aeroplane which is due to fine cleavage fractures in to two directions. The ancient Romans theorized that moonstone, with its unearthly shimmer, was formed from frozen moonlight. This appealing gem variety does shine with a cool lunar light but it is the mineral feldspar, quite terrestrial in origin. Moonstones from Sri Lanka, the classical country of origin of the moonstone, shimmer in pale blue on an almost transparent background. The best variety with blue sheen is mined in Southern Sri Lanka in an area near Ambalangoda, which had formed in a rock type called pegmatite.

Washing and paning of the gem gravel

RHODOLItE GArNEtPyrope and Almandine Mixture

Garnet is the group of six gem quality species in an intermixing compositions, representing more than ten varieties in different colours, but with exception for blue colour. Red is the most often encountered colour, which appears in varying hues and tones, produced from the combination of almandine-pyrope species. Magnesium-iron aluminium silicate Properties: Hardness 7__7_; Density: 3.7 4.2; Refractive index: 1.74 1.79, Singly refractive Colour: Red, purplish red, pale to deep mauve Composition: Name garnet is derived from Latin granum (seed) meaning grainy, which has its origin from Sanskrit. This makes the reference to typical roundest shape of garnet crystals in rhombdoceahedral or trapezohedral habit and also to the pink to red colour, reminding the similarity in appearance to seed of a ripe pomegranate. Garnets were known to man for thousands of years. They are found in jewellery from early Egyptian, Greek and Roman times. Early explores liked to carry garnets with them in consideration as a talisman and protective stone, by believing it to light up the night and protect the bearer from evil and disaster. It was also the belief that these gems would bestow upon their wearer a variety of love sentiments, including: commitment and devotion. Fiery red pyrope garnets were popular in the Victorian period as Bohemian garnets which were coming from Bohemia (in Europe). Rhodolite is the
This hand machine is used even today to cut and polish Star and Cats Eye gemstones into cabochon styles.

Nambuwa the wased gem gravel

TOpAZ
Is fluo containing aluminium silicate Properties: Hardness 8; Density: 3.53; Refractive index: 1.610 1.630; Birefringence: 0.010 Colour: Colourless, pink, blue, yellow, orange, brown Composition: Topaz sometimes has the amber gold of fine cognac or the blush of a peach, and all the beautiful warm browns and oranges in between. Some rare and exceptional examples are pale pink to a sherry red. Blue, once the most rare color of topaz, is today the most common, due to a stable enhancement process that turns colorless topaz to blue. After irradiation it turns to brown and then heated to sky blue. This enhancement process is permanent. Topaz from Sri Lanka had become most popular for this treatment. The Egyptians said that topaz was colored with the golden glow of the sun god. Legend has it that topaz dispels all enchantment and helps to improve eyesight. The ancient Greeks believed that it had the power to increase strength and make its wearer invisible in times of emergency. AGTA The birthstone for November, topaz is a talisman for the sign of Sagittarius and is the suggested gift for the 23rd anniversary.

pyrope and almandine mixed variety with varying tones of violetish red colour coming from most of gem mining areas in Sri Lanka. Garnet is the gemstone for 2nd anniversary and the birthstone for the month of January.

Even today strong red spinels from Burma and bright blue spinels from Sri Lanka impose confusion for ruby and sapphire. On the other hand, two blue rarities- cobalt spinel and gahnospinel, both found in Sri Lanka bring delight to collectors. Taaffeite with a similar appearance in colour but belongs to a different species is a rare gemstones found in gem gravels in Sri Lanka along with spinels. Spinel is the gemstone for 22nd anniversary

ZIrcON
Zirconium silicate Hardness 7_ _ 6_ Density: 4.8 to 3.9; Refractive index: 1.92 1.99 to 1.76-1.84; Birefringence: 0.059 to almost none in metamict stones Color: Colourless, pink, blue, yellow, orange, brown Composition: Properties:
Black Princes Ruby- a red spinel in natural crystal from with Cullinun II diamond and other gems in the English Imperial State Crown

Name probably comes from Persian word zargun meaning gold coloured, although it is found in a other colours. Zircon comes in a wide range of colours, and for many years, the most popular was the colourless variety, which looks similar to diamonds than any other natural gemstone, due to its high brilliance, refraction and dispersion. This material was known as Matara diamond, for being originated in Rakwana Hills in the Southern part of Sri Lanka, in its destination in Europe. It was the tradition to produce blue, yellow and colourless varieties by heat treatment, which is accepted by the trade. Zircons also found in other colours of green, red, brown and orange. In the Middle ages, it was in belief that zircon was said to help sleep, bring prospectus and promote honour and wisdom to its owner. Hindu poets mention of Kalpa Tree (Kalpa Wruksha) the ultimate gift of the gods, a glowing tree covered in gemstone fruits with zircon of leaves.

SpINEL
Composition: magnesium aluminium oxide Properties: Hardness 8; Density: 3.60; Refractive index: 1.72, single refractive Spinel exhibits in a wide range of colours from near colourless, through shades of orange, and pink to red, pale blue through deep blue to dark blue, bluish green and black. Spinel is the end member of a group of species with proportional intermixing (isomorphism), with its other family members of ceylonite, pleonaste and hercinite with ferrous iron, gahnospinel and gahnite with zinc, chromite with chromium, chlorospinel with ferric iron and rare cobalt spinel with cobalt. Spinel is known as the greatest imposter in gemstone history, by occupying in many crown jewels as famous rubies. The famous Black Princes ruby in the Imperial State Crown of England of the British Crown Jewels is a 170 carat red spinel. The Timor Ruby now owned by Queen Elizabeth and with the names of some of the Mogul emperors who previously owned it being engraved on its face is a 361 carat red spinel.

Blue, colourless and brown zircon from Sri Lanka

Curtsey: Dayananda Dillimuni FGA, DGemG - Consultant Gemologist Design & Concept by Anoma Weralupe