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