INTRODUCTION
A gemstone or gem (also called a precious or semi-precious stone, a fine gem, or jewel) is a piece of mineral, which, in cut and polished form, is used to make jewelry or other adornments. However certain rocks (such as lapis lazuli) and organic materials (such as amber or jet) are not minerals, but are still used for jewelry, and are therefore often considered to be gemstones as wel
l. Most gemstones are hard, but some soft minerals are used in jewelry because of their luster or other physical properties that have aesthetic value. Apart from jewelry, from earliest antiquity until the 19th century engraved gems and hardstone carvings such as cups were major luxury art forms. ABOUT SRI LAKA-A COUNTRY FILLED WITH THE BEAUTY OF GEMS
Sri Lanka is also called Ratnadvipa – the island of gems. Sapphires of various beautiful hues are found here: blue, pink, yellow, violet, white, green, orange, and pink-orange (padparadscha). The gemstone industry in the country has flourished for thousands of years. Biblical scriptures refer to gems being brought from Ceylon to King Solomon’s court. The Mahavansa, Sri Lanka’s historical epic, refers to the island’s reputation for its wealth in gems. The origin of numerous priceless gemstones can be traced back to the island, such as:
The Blue Giant of the Orient (the largest faceted blue sapphire in the world)
The Logan Blue Sapphire (one of the world’s largest faceted blue sapphires)
The Blue Belle of Asia (one of the top-quality blue sapphires in the world)
The Rosser Reeves Star Ruby (one of the world’s largest and finest star rubies)
The Star of Lanka (the third largest star sapphire of similar quality in existence)
Today, Sri Lanka is globally renowned as the largest source of top quality, colour-rich, natural, large blue sapphires. Recent amazing discoveries in Sri Lanka include a massive 8042 carat stone found in Pelmadulla, a fine blue sapphire weighing 2516 carats found in Ellawala and a beautiful stone weighing 4002 carats found in Neelagama. THE PERFECT SAPPHIRE
A fine gem has an unmistakable sexual quality to it. Both subjects involve a good measure of passion. But the finest gems are like the finest people. Their beauty grows with time. Some sapphires drive you crazy the moment their azure legs slither from a stone paper, leaping onto the cocktail table and saying: “Baby, let me walk on your back with my high-healed pumps!” These have a fast rise time. But there is a difference between love and lust, the subtle versus animal desire. Each has its moments. But in lovers, as with gems, I look for staying power, those which combine the cerebral with the physical. For the physical alone is not enough. The beauty of love is its sublime, understated nature. It offers you a glass of wine and conversation, before suggesting at the end of the evening that the two of you retire to the bo***ir (just for friendship, of course). In my experience, such attraction is an emotion that develops with time. Exceptional gems grow on you. They are experts at hiding, more interesting with every listen, more exciting with each glimpse. When you gaze at their beauty for hours, days, weeks, years on end without tiring you know you have a fine gem. That, my friends, is what I call love. This takes distance, the kind that only time provides. So the next time you are taken aback by a gem, stop yourself. You may be looking at infatuation. Stand back and judge. Take your time. What you want is balance – Buddha’s middle path – pure animal sexuality and love – a fashion model/pornstar lover who left the business to pursue a dual doctorate in physics and fine arts. And just what, pray tell, would the perfect sapphire look like? My dear friends, that would be akin to finding the perfect woman or man. Leave D-Flawless to the gem of the common man – it doesn’t exist in sapphire. Don’t seek perfection, just look for something you can spend the rest of your life with. THE ORIGINS
First, let me say that there is a definite market ranking for sapphire according to origin. It unfolds as follows:
1) Kashmir
2) Mogok, Burma
3) Ceylon
4) Everything else
SOME SECRETS OF SAPPHIRES
-Sapphires are best known for their brilliant blue colour, but they also come in other rainbow hues – pink, yellow, violet, orange, green and white!
-Sapphires represent three cherished qualities – truth, sincerity and consistency.
-In the olden days, kings wore sapphires around their necks to ward off enemies and protect themselves against harm.
-Sapphire rings have been popular since the Middle Ages. The clergy favoured blue sapphire rings because the colour symbolised heaven, while magicians thought these rings helped them command spirits!
-There was a popular belief amongst people in the Middle Ages that sapphires magically helped ward off sickness and evil, including the plague.
-The British have a long-running love affair with sapphires – remember the sapphire and diamond ring Prince Charles presented to Lady Diana?
-The British have a long-running love affair with sapphires – the precious stones even adorn the cross on the Imperial Crown!
-Two amongst the most famous sapphires in the world – the Star of India and the Star of Bombay – are actually from Sri Lanka!
-Many people believe that sapphires contain the power of spiritual enlightenment and inner peace. The gemstones also thought to have anti-depressant properties!
-Not only are sapphires stunning, they’re also tough and durable. The hardness of sapphires is second only to that of diamonds!
-The word “sapphire” comes from the Greek word “sappherios”, meaning blue.
-The ancient Persians believed that the earth rested on a giant sapphire with its blue reflection colouring the sky!
-Two of the largest faceted blue sapphires in the world – the Blue Giant of the Orient (466 carats) and Logan Blue Sapphire (423 carats) – were both mined in Sri Lanka.
