Despite its small size, Sri Lanka is one of the most significant countries of the world when it comes to gem and jewellery as one of the most reputable suppliers of luxurious sapphires and 75 numerous different types of gemstones.

Sri Lanka has a long history of producing renowned gemstones, pearls, and opulent jewellery and has a close connection to the global gem and jewellery trade.

  • STAR OF ADAM: The rare star sapphire known as the “Star of Adam” weighed an astounding 1404 carats and was valued at over USD 300 million. The star sapphire, which was discovered in the fall of 2015, has piqued the interest and excitement of international gem and jewelry traders.

  • KING SOLOMON`S RUBY: Even after more than three thousand years, Sri Lankan rubies are prized for their color, cut, and quality. A huge Sri Lankan ruby from King Solomon’s royal ring had magical powers, and another from the same country helped him win Queen Sheba’s heart.

  • STAR RUBY BY ROSSER REEVES: One of the largest and most valuable star rubies in the world, the Rosser Reeves Star Ruby weighs 138.7 carats. This stone from Sri Lanka is well-known for its vivid color and distinct star pattern. This stone was given to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., in 1965 by the Advertising mogul Rosser Reeves.

  • QUEEN MARIE OF ROMANIA SAPPHIRE: The massive 478.68-carat Sri Lankan blue sapphire was given the Queen Marie name in honor of Queen Marie (1875–1938), the handsome consort of King Ferdinand of Romania, who originally purchased this gem just one year prior to his coronation as a drop to a diamond necklace for her. The magnificent necklace that Queen Marie wore to her coronation was the ideal complement to her exquisite sapphire tiara. The gemstone was listed for auction at Christie’s Geneva on November 19, 2003 with the identification “property of a noble family.” The buyer is still a mystery.

  • THE EYE OF THE LION: This 465 carat chrysoberyl cat’s eye gemstone was found in Pelmadulla, Sri Lanka, in the late 1800s. A family descended from King Rajasinghe the First, who ruled the island nation from 1581 to 1593, was the first owners of the property. Given the legendary bravery of the King, there isn’t a name more fitting than “the Eye of the Lion.” For the following thirty years, not much was said about the gemstone after the Smithsonian Museum expressed interest in purchasing it in 1978. The stone reappeared in 2006 in the possession of Bangkok, Thailand-based gem dealer Jeffery Bergman of Primagem, at the AGTA gemological testing center’s lab in New York.

  • TIMUR RUBY: This red spinel weighing 361 carats was discovered in Sri Lanka. The gem was originally owned by the Mogul Emperors of India, who had their names engraved on it. The Timur Ruby is now housed among the crown jewels of the United Kingdom, which are owned by Queen Elizabeth.

  • MAHARANI CAT’S EYE: The weight of the “Maharani Cat’s Eye” chrysoberyl is 58.2 carats. Its golden honey color and sharp eye make it an extremely rare and fine jewelry piece. It was discovered in Sri Lanka, and its size, color, and transparency, as well as the sharpness of the eye, make it a rare and valuable gemstone. It is currently on display at Washington, D.C.’s Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.