Arab travelers to the tropical island of Sri Lanka are showing a keen interest in the country’s precious stones according to industry research. Arab visitors surveyed, particularly female visitors confirmed one of their primary reasons for visiting the country was to shop for precious and semi-precious stones.
Sri Lanka is a leading producer of gems in the world. In fact, it is home to 40 of the 85 varieties of gems in the world. Among them are the rare Alexandrite, Sapphire, Cat’s Eye, Ruby, Topaz, Garnet, Zircon, Quartz, Tourmaline and Feldspar. Sri Lanka is currently positioned in the global market as a source of supply for high quality sapphires and as a supplier of cut and polished, free size and calibrated stones and more recently as a supplier of modern jewelery. The Sri Lankan gem sector, earns AED 1.83 billion (US$ 500 million) in exports earning.
Sri Lankan gems have been admired and sought after by the rich and famous for thousands of years. Legend has it that King Solomon wooed Queen Sheba by presenting her with a beautiful ruby from Sri Lanka. Arab merchants over centuries ago are believed to have been familiar with the jewels of Serendib giving color to the fable Arabian Nights and the voyages of Sindbad the Sailor. A 400-carat Blue Sapphire adorns the British Crown even today.
The famous Arab traveller Ibn Battuta who traveled to Sri Lanka between 1333 and 1341 AD wrote that all the women in the island of Ceylon have necklaces of rubies of different colors and wear them also on their arms and legs in place of bracelets and anklets.
The largest star ruby in the world valued at over US$ 25 million is also a product of Sri Lanka. The Rosser Reeves Star Ruby is a 138.7-carat stone and is recognized as the largest and finest star ruby in the world. It is named after Rosser Reeves the American advertising-guru who developed the unique selling proposition (USP) concept. Reeves donated the gem to the Smithsonian Institute in 1965 and it is now a prized exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History.
Most of Sri Lanka’s precious stones are mined in the district of Ratnapura. The city by the same name is the center for trading in gems. It lies at the foot of the 2,243 meter high Adam’s Peak considered sacred by major religions in Sri Lanka. It is also a launch-pad for an excursion into Sinharaja, the country’s largest rainforest.
Known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka’s beauty is not confined to precious stones. A visit to Sri Lanka would be an opportunity to sample the wild natural beauty of the country including the scenic waterfalls, spice and tea plantations, bird and wildlife reserves, tropical jungle excursions and the luxurious yet eco-friendly accommodation. The country has beautiful beaches all around.
