PRECIOUS GEMS
Diamonds – These gems are formed from Carbon atoms
and considered as a very rare natural substance on earth. To successful formation of
Diamonds, extreme underground high pressure is mandatory.
Rubies and Sapphires – These gems are formed of a
mineral named Corundum which comprise of Aluminium Oxide.
Emeralds – These type of gems are a formation of
mineral Beryl and is mixture of Beryllium, Aluminium, Silicon and Oxygen.
Precious gems are formed of the rarest natural substances to find thus explain its value.
TOP COUNTRIES PRODUCING GEMS
Russia, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Australia, Canada, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe,
Angola, South Africa, Namibia and Sierra Leone.
Above are some of the many gem producing countries.
SRI LANKA AS A GEM PRODUCER
Exposed for bearing a competitive range of gemstones; Sri Lanka is matched with great gem
producing nations as Russia, South Africa, Myanmar, Brazil and Thailand. Sri Lankan gem
bearing gravels are known to be the richest in the world. The experience of Sri Lankan gem
production is heavily influenced by tradition and modernization which has resulted in a
harmonious and fascinating mine to market industry both domestically and internationally
(exports). The growing demand of the global market for Sri Lankan gemstones is a result of a
time honoured and thorough practice of traditional experiences and modern high powered
techniques repetitively leading to well-balanced proportions and quality cut polish of the
end product. The knowledge and experiences derived over centuries are utilized by the
trading sector to match with the modern global business which ultimately produce latest
fashions, trends and models. Thus, Sri Lanka stands as a proud gem seller and has become a
priority option for many buyers in the gem field.
GEM VARIETIES FOUND IN SRI LANKA
MOST FOUND GEMS
Alexandrite, Alexandrite Cat’s Eye, Almandine Garnet, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Beryl, Blue
Sapphire, Chrysoberyl, Chrysoberyl Cat’s Eye, Citrine, Hessonite Garnet, Moonstone, Orange
Sapphire, Padmaraga Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Pyrope Garnet, Rhodolite Garnet, Ruby,
Spessartite Garnet, Spinel, Star Ruby, Star Sapphire, Tourmaline, Yellow Sapphire, Topaz and
Zircon
- Corundum: Blue Sapphire, Ruby, Star Sapphire, Star Ruby, Yellow Sapphire, Golden
Sapphire, Padparadscha and White Sapphire
- Chrysoberyl: Chrysoberyl Cat’s Eye Alexandrite and Alexandrite Cat’s Eye Chrysoberyl
- Spinel: Blue Spinel, Red Spinel and Mauve Spinel
- Topaz: White Topaz
- Beryl: Aquamarine, White Beryl and Pale Green Beryl
- Zircon: Green Zircon, Yellow Zircon, Brown Zircon and Red and Blue Zircon (Very Rare)
- Garnet: Rose Red Coloured, Red Mauve, Hessonite Garnet and Spessartite Garnet
- Tourmaline: Green and Brown Varieties
- Quartz: Yellow, Brown, Rose, White and Purple (Amethyst)
- Feldspar: Moonstone
LEAST FOUND GEMS
Sinhalite, Kornerupine, Andalusite, Apatite, Scapolite, Cordierite, Diopside, Enstatite and
Taaffeite
RARELY FOUND GEMS
Axinite, Danburite, Euclase, Kyanite, Sapphirine, Dumortierite, Fibrolite and Monazite
GEM DEPOSTS OF SRI LANKA
Of the entire landmass of Sri Lanka, 25% is considered as gem bearing and are located in
restrictive zones of highland/southwestern rocky zone. Secondary placer deposits are the 90%
of gem mining sources accessed in Sri Lanka and are classified as Sedimentary gem deposits
of residual, eluvial and alluvial. Metamorphic zones with skarn and calcium rich rocks are
where the primary gem occurrences are mainly in contact.
SEDIMENTARY GEM DEPOSITS
Sedimentary gem deposits are by far the most important of all gem deposits in Sri Lanka.
These type of gem deposits occur in thin layers of sand and gravel on hillsides, hilltops
and river beds.
-
Residual deposits: This type of deposits is in
the close vicinity as on the flood plains of rivers.
-
Eluvial deposits: This type of deposits is made
identification difficult as they are found on hillslopes and flat areas.
-
Alluvial deposits: This type of deposits is the
most common type distributed in Sri Lanka. These gems are well rounded grains and easily
identified and also lies in two or three layers under a ground depth of 20 meters.
METAMORPHIC GEM DEPOSITS
It’s a well-known fact that most of Sri Lanka comprise of metamorphic rocks and thus most gem
deposits in Sri Lanka are under this category. The areas which these deposits are located
are abundant in skarn and calcium rich rocks. The skarn deposits in Sri Lanka are reported
to have pure CO2 and thus the value. The chemical composition required to form aluminous gem
minerals are abundance in deposits and most of the yielding’s are in the highland complex.
- Locations
-
Skarn: Bakamuna
-
Aluminous: Elahera
