The rarest gems found from Sri Lanka

1. Andalusite: Mineral found in Sri Lanka. Mainly green in color.

2. Apatite: Blue-green, yellow, and violet.

3. Diopside: Generally green, some show cat's-eye effect.

4. Ekanite: First found in Sri Lanka in 1953 and named after the man who discovered it, F.L.D. Ekanayake. Green in color.

5. Cordierite: Gem variety called iolite and is generally blue, but can also be yellowish-white or colorless.

6. Kornerupine: Pale brownish-yellow, green and colorless.

7. Sinhalite: Recognized in 1952 as a new mineral - first found in Sri Lanka. Pale yellow, brown or greenish-brown.

8. Taaffeite: Identified as a new mineral in 1945 after it was found in Sri Lanka by Count Taaffe


The availability of historical as well as traditional know-how among jewelry manufacturers in the country have added more luster to the situation. Sri Lanka has a two thousand year history of heating their rubies to enhance the reddish-pink color, and remove any bluish or purplish hues. Sri Lanka's "burners" traditionally apply heat treatment using a blow-pipe and charcoal burner, to super-heat the stone. The Sri Lanka Gem & Jewelry Exchange is a concept developed several years ago for the establishment of a center for the industry-related commercial activities under the sponsorship of the National Gem and Jewelry Authority. Originating from a Parliamentary sub committee appointed for reviewing the Gem and Jewelry Industry, its objective is to regulate the exchange process between buyers and sellers.