Sri Lanka has been related to gems and jewelry since historic instances, when it was known as Rathnadeepa (island of gems) by the world. Right now, the nation is focussed on fortifying its positioning as the last word vacation spot for gems and jewelry.
Making its mark as the primary main worldwide jewelry exhibition of the yr, FACETS Sri Lanka 2026 befell from 3 to five January at Cinnamon Life at Metropolis of Goals, and earned Sri Lanka a coveted spot on the world’s gem and jewelry calendar.
FACETS – which is organised by the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewelry Affiliation (SLGJA) – has run for 33 years. It showcases the bounty of Sri Lanka’s shiny treasures and the gamut of stakeholders who make up the business from gem mines to market.
“Sri Lanka is the oldest identified steady supply of sapphires and different gems on this planet,” mentioned the President of SLGJA Akram Cassim, on a current airing of LMDtv
He shared how gems from Sri Lanka have been lauded all through historical past – “from the traditional tales of Sinbad the sailor and Queen of Sheba gifting gems to King Solomon, to extra modern settings the place a blue sapphire adorned Princess Diana’s iconic engagement ring and the tiara that was stolen within the 2025 Louvre heist.”
Cassim continued: “Museums all over the world have Sri Lankan gems in a few of their largest collections, and royalty in lots of international locations together with Britain have worn and nonetheless put on Sri Lankan treasured stones.”
Rising consciousness of what the gem and jewelry business entails is vital since a number of stakeholders are concerned.
He elaborated: “So many individuals are concerned within the business from the gem mine to market – there are brokers, gem cutters, miners, burners,
lapidarists and designers. Then you might have the merchants, retailers, entrepreneurs, salespeople and everybody behind the scenes. Most frequently, you merely solely see the jewelry in showcases however the business itself could be very massive.”
One of many many distinctive points of the most recent version of FACETS was its give attention to highlighting ladies in gems and jewelry by sharing their tales, Cassim famous: “Households which have showcased gems and jewelry have at all times had ladies within the background and foreground. So it’s vital to open this business to younger ladies who wish to enterprise into the enterprise of gems and jewelry.”
Although the business has traditionally revolved round household companies, Cassim revealed that an growing variety of folks wish to enter the enterprise and be part of it.
This line of labor has at all times been the area of household owned companies and handed down from era to era, he noticed: “However the business is opening up and changing into extra inclusive. There are many new people who find themselves fascinated with gems and getting into the enterprise, and so they have grow to be a number of the largest gem sellers and jewellers within the nation.”
“Gems and jewelry isn’t a commerce that’s simple for individuals who don’t find out about it, to shortly be taught and be expert in it. They should examine the topic and acquire experience by way of expertise. It’s not one thing you may examine or grow to be an professional in by going to a gemmological college. True gemmologists should be on the bottom,” he declared.
Sri Lanka has at all times intertwined gems and jewelry in its “historical past, legacy, thriller and magic,” Cassim mentioned.
He added: “It’s time for all of us to advertise Sri Lanka as a number one centre for gems and jewelry, and it’s key for journey and tourism too. It’s already a widely known buying and selling hub since all of the sellers are locals.”
“Individuals make reminiscences after they purchase a treasured stone or piece of jewelry in Sri Lanka, and their tales about the fantastic thing about the island and its gems could have a cascading impact,” he maintained.
And Cassim summed up: “Each vacationer who visits can purchase a sapphire or gemstone as it can assist our financial restoration,and in addition place Sri Lanka as the best vacation spot to purchase gems.”
