Considered to be the most valuable gemstone variety in the Corundum mineral species, the distinct red in Ruby is caused by the presence of chromium. The colour spectrum of Rubies found across the world varies from orange-red to purplish red. Colour is the most significant factor affecting a ruby’s value: Fine gems are a pure, vibrant red to slightly purplish red. Most Sri Lankan Ruby varieties are of a pinkish red and display a tint of purple, caused by the presence of iron in addition to chromium oxide, which is unique to its Sri Lankan origin. Ruby deposits in Sri Lanka are not distinctively localized and are found in the same mine with other gemstones of the Corundum family while the stones of better quality have been often found within the Embilipitiya – Udawalawe area.

This gorgeous blood-red coloured gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum ( aluminium oxide) is highly treasured for its vibrant nature. Celebrated for centuries as an invaluable treasure, Ruby is worn to achieve success in jobs and earn social prestige.

Abundant, attractive, affordable and colourful spinels are available in red, pink and blue colour and can occasionally exhibit asterism and chatoyancy. Spinel is a gemstone found in great abundance in Sri Lanka and until the rise of modern gemology in the 19th and 20th Century spinels were often mistakenly identified as Corundums, as they were mostly found in the same mine. Subsequent research into the mineral composition of these two gem families led to their separation and many gem enthusiasts finding that their beloved rubies and sapphires are in fact spinels. Natural spinel, however, has always been a rare and beautiful gem. Sri Lanka is the second largest supplier of spinel to the global gem and jewellery market with colours ranging from ruby red, pink, orange, shades of reddish-brown, purple, blue, bluish-green, mauve, greenish-black, black to colourless. The occurrence of natural blue spinel coloured by cobalt has been found in Sri Lanka. Cobalt spinel has been found around Ratnapura, Okkampitiya and Embilipitiya. Apart from the common varieties of spinel are also varieties identified as Ceylonite, Gahnite and Ghanospinel.

A member of the spinel group of minerals. Spinel is a rare and breath taking gemstone admired for sparkling colour and clarity. This was confused with ruby and sapphire for thousands of years. Ranging from bright red colour to blue colour, spinel was added as the August birthstone.

Moonstones are a precious stone belonging to the Feldspar class of minerals and are celebrated for its magical glow caused by adularescence. Meetiyagoda mines in Sri Lanka is the source of the world celebrated Blue Moonstones. Classical moonstones are always cut as cabochons.However, some Moonstones feature a cat's eye effect or a four-spoked star in addition to the typical undulating shimmer of light. These stones are not only cut as cabochons but also as artistic cameos or engraved with designs.

A variation of the feldspar-group mineral orthoclase, moonstone is known for its opalescent schiller. Moonstone sparkles in pale blue colour and when the light falls on the stone, light is scattered featuring adularescence. Truly a mysterious gemstone with its mystique name and the color, moonstone is treasured by monks and devotes.

A variety of chrysoberyls displaying chatoyancy caused by the light reflecting from inclusions of tiny parallel needles or hollow tubes, cymophane are commonly known as cat’s eye. Chrysoberyl occurs in varying degrees of transparency ranging from transparent and clear to cloudy translucent and opaque. Widely distributed within the main gem producing regions of this country and mostly localized around Rakwana, Bulutota, Deniyaya, Morawaka, Elahera, Avissawella, Pelawatte, Horana, Matugama, Panadura, Rathnapura, Aluthgama, Ambalantota, Agalawaththa, Bulathsinghala, Kalapugama and Mestiya, the colour of Cymophane or Cat’s Eye differ from semi-transparent golden-yellow to slightly greenish-yellow or brownish-yellow colour.

Cymophane which is also known as Chrysoberyl cat’s eye is a sharp and straight stone featuring chatoyant effect. This mystically coloured, rare stone is celebrated as a jewelry stone due to its unique shape and astonishing shades of colours.

Found in green-blue to blue colour variations, aquamarine crystals get the blue tone due to the presence of iron within the crystal. They are comparatively large and well-formed and the depth of sea blue colour is most intense in large specimens while the colour in smaller stones is comparatively lighter. Unlike other coloured gemstones, aquamarine’s value comes primarily from its tone rather than the hue and saturation and stones with darker tone are highly-priced and sought after. Often found completely flawless, aquamarine has been found in Rathnapura, Rakwana, Morawaka, Hatton, Nawalapitiya, Galle, Matara, Tissamaharama and Lunugamwehera in Sri Lanka.

Reflecting the colour of sea water, aquamarine’s watery hue enchants gemstones lovers with the mere translucent aspect. Known as March’s birthstone, this is known for enhancing happiness of marriage. Crafted to perfection aquamarine stone is an exceptional jewelry stone.

Gemstones belonging to the family of Garnet occur in a multitude of colours except for blue and are available in several varieties including almandine, andradite, grossular, pyrope, spessartine and uvarovite. With the exception of andradite and uvarovite, all the other types of Garnets are available in Sri Lanka, with some displaying asterism, chatoyancy and a colour change when viewed under different types of lighting. All garnets have essentially the same crystal structure, but they vary in chemical composition. There are more than twenty garnet categories, called species, but only five are commercially important as gems. Garnet types found in Sri Lanka with commercial value include;

• Almandine

• Grossular

• Pyrope

• Spessartine

A member of the silicate minerals, garnet is available in green, pink, brown , purple, yellow and black colours. Early days, it was considered as a warrior stone and was worn during battled to be protected from mortal wounds. Gemstone like no other, garnet is demanded for its luster and brightness. Known as the birthstone of January, it is known for its healing properties.

Available in all the colours of the rainbow, Tourmaline also has a very complex mineral composition, which is the main reason behind their rich colour composition. Gemstones from Sri Lanka belonging to the Tourmaline species differ from yellowish-green to bright green. One of the most important gem Tourmalines found in Sri Lanka are mixtures of Dravite and Uvite. Often brown, yellowish-brown, reddish-brown, or nearly black in colour, these species contain traces of vanadium, chromium, or both. When present in the right concentrations, these impurities produce rich green hues similar to tsavorite garnet. While Uvite is rich in calcium, magnesium, and aluminium and Dravite is rich in sodium, magnesium, and aluminium; both forms within limestone that have been altered by heat and pressure and are fondly known as Savanna Tourmaline by gem dealers and merchants. Most of the brown and yellowish-brown varieties are located mainly around Uva, Ratnapura and Tissamaharama regions in Sri Lanka while Lunugala, Bibile, Passara, Nilgala region, Horana, Matugama, Pelawatte, Morawaka, Deniyaya, Rakwana areas in the country also produce impressive specimens.

A precious stone that comes in a range of vibrant colors. Tourmaline is a grounding gemstone hailed for providing protection. Tourmaline is the birthstone of October and it is known as the birthstone of the eighth century.

A versatile species of gemstones, Topazes are available in a variety of colours and colourless forms. Often identified by the hue name, such as pink or blue topaz, some of the most expensive and rare topaz have commercial names given to them. The high values red and pink stones are known as Imperial Topaz while the terms Precious Topaz or Sherry Topaz refers to stones with a rich yellow to a medium, peachy orange colour.

An exceptionally brilliant stone, which comes in a wide range of colours, green, yellow, red, pick and purple. This birthstone of November is known as the world’s favorite gemstone due to its luster and color variation. Featuring pleochroic effect, topaz is truly a gift of nature.

A popular substitute for diamond around the world, Zircon is colourless in its chemically purest form. Mostly found in Matara Sri Lanka, colourless zircons are also known as Matara Zircon or Matara Diamonds. Colourless zircon found in Sri Lanka is celebrated for its brilliance and flashes of multicoloured light, called fire. Meanwhile, zircon is also typically found in an array of colours from brown, red, blue, purple, and rarely green. Often confused by cubic zirconia, Zircon has high brilliance and dispersion.

A stone belonging to the nesosillicates group, zircon has been used for thousands of years. Today known as the birthstone of December, zircon comes in a wide range of colours. We bring you finely curated zircon stones to cherish for a lifetime.

A purple variety of the mineral quartz, the finest amethyst colour is strong reddish-purple to purple with no visible colour zoning. Coloured by Iron, the shades of Amethyst occur in transparent pastel roses to deep purples. Like many other gemstones, the quality of Amethyst varies according to its source. The best varieties of amethyst can be found in Siberia, Sri Lanka, Brazil and the far East.

Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz and this is the most famous purple stone in the world. This stone is known for evoking tranquility and clarity in anxious situations. This February birthstone is known for its hardness, luster and long life span.

A delicate pink version of the mineral quartz, Rose Quartz features shades varying from very light to medium-dark pink. Always found in massive form sans the regular, flat crystal faces Rose Quartz is typically found in pegmatites, but also occurs in hydrothermal veins and owes its delicate pink colour to microscopic inclusions of aligned silicate mineral fibres. Sri Lanka is a leading source for fine quality rose quartz rocks.

Known for its pinkish colour, rose quartz is considered as the epitome of eternal love. The soothing colour of rose quartz promotes love and friendship and evoke deep human feelings. The colour of rose quartz range from pale pink to deep reddish pink and is infused with vibrant luster.

A translucent variety of microcrystalline quartz, Agate is a semi-precious chalcedony occurring in a wide range of colours including brown, white, red, grey, pink, black, and yellow. The colours are caused by traces of oxides of iron, manganese, titanium, chromium, nickel, and other elements and occur as alternating bands within the stone. Patterns of colour or moss-like inclusions may distinguish this stone from other forms of chalcedony, and Sri Lanka is popular for blue-tinted agate.

Agate is a variation of quartz and is known as a semiprecious stone. This is an exceptional stone which promotes harmony of the body, mind and spirit. Agate shows a variety of colours ranging from milky white to dark black.

Rare in nature, Citrine is a transparent, pale yellow to brownish orange variety of quartz. One of the most popular and frequently purchased yellow gemstones, finest citrine gemstones have the colours of saturated yellow to reddish-orange free of brownish tints. Citrine crystals occur in Russia and in Madagascar a wide range of sizes and are readily available in nature while Sri Lanka exports irregular amethyst heat-treated into Citrine.

This transparent stone is variety of quartz which reflects colours from pale yellow to brownish orange. Citrine is the birthstone of November and is highly popular for clarity and durability. Citrine is believed to help relieving digestion and blockage.

Fondly known as an ‘Emerald by Day and a Ruby by Night’, Alexandrite is a type of Chrysoberyl that is rare yet abundantly found in Sri Lanka. Their ability to shift colours from red to green when viewed under different light sources makes Alexandrite a highly sought after gemstone in the global market. A strongly pleochroic gem, which displays different colours when viewed from different directions, the three pleochroic colours of Alexandrite are green, orange, and purple-red.

However, the gem's colour change doesn’t arise from the gem’s pleochroism, but from the mineral’s unusual light-absorbing properties. Although most Alexandrites found in Sri Lanka can be faceted, there is an occasional occurrence of colour changing alexandrite cat’s eye.