What is the birthstone for September?

The birthstone for September is the blue sapphire. Ceylon (Sri Lanka) produces the world's most prized blue sapphires, known for their velvety cornflower-blue colour.

What is the birthstone for July?

The birthstone for July is the ruby. Ceylon rubies are celebrated for their warm raspberry-red hue and exceptional brilliance.

What is the birthstone for June?

June has two birthstones: moonstone and alexandrite. Sri Lanka is the world's premier source of both — producing moonstones with the finest blue adularescence and alexandrite with the strongest colour change.

What is the cat's eye gemstone in Vedic astrology?

Cat's eye chrysoberyl (Vaidurya or Lehsunia) is the stone of Ketu (South Node) in Vedic astrology. Sri Lanka is the world's premier source, producing specimens with the sharpest chatoyancy and the prized milk-and-honey effect.

What are the nine Navaratna gemstones?

The nine Navaratna stones are: Ruby (Sun), Moonstone/Pearl (Moon), Red Coral (Mars), Emerald (Mercury), Yellow Sapphire (Jupiter), Diamond (Venus), Blue Sapphire (Saturn), Hessonite Garnet (Rahu), and Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl (Ketu). Sri Lanka is one of the only places on earth where all nine are found within a single island.

Where are gemstones mined in Sri Lanka?

The primary gem-mining region is Ratnapura (City of Gems) in the Sabaragamuwa Province. Other significant deposits are found in Elahera, Balangoda, Matara, Galle, Meetiyagoda (moonstone), Kandy, and Tissamaharama.

What is the hardest gemstone found in Sri Lanka?

Blue sapphire and ruby are the hardest gemstones found in Sri Lanka, both rating 9 on the Mohs scale — second only to diamond. Alexandrite and cat's eye chrysoberyl rate 8.5, and spinel and topaz rate 8.

What is the Padparadscha sapphire colour?

The Padparadscha sapphire displays a unique blend of coral-orange and rose-pink — the precise colour of a tropical sunset or the sacred lotus flower of Sri Lanka. This colour must be present simultaneously; a stone that is purely pink is a pink sapphire, and one that is purely orange is an orange sapphire. Only the precise combination of both qualifies as a true Padparadscha.

What is the difference between yellow sapphire and topaz?

Yellow sapphire and topaz are entirely different minerals. Yellow sapphire is corundum (aluminium oxide) with a Mohs hardness of 9 — the same as blue sapphire and ruby — making it one of the hardest gemstones in existence. Topaz is a silicate mineral with a Mohs hardness of 8 and perfect cleavage, making it more fragile. In Vedic astrology, yellow sapphire (Pukhraj) is the primary stone of Jupiter, while topaz is sometimes used as a less potent substitute. Fine Ceylon yellow sapphires are significantly rarer and more valuable than topaz.

Where can I buy a Padparadscha sapphire in Sri Lanka?

Continental Jewellers Sri Lanka, established 1863, maintains a private collection of rare Ceylon gemstones including Padparadscha sapphires. We welcome enquiries from collectors and connoisseurs seeking exceptional specimens. Contact us through our website for a private viewing. Our partner Akarasha Gems at the Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo, also carries a curated selection of certified Ceylon gemstones.

A collection of rare Sri Lankan gemstones on dark velvet

The Gem Island

Sri Lanka's Living Treasure

Q: What gemstone is associated with Saturn in Vedic astrology?

Blue sapphire (Neelam) is the gemstone of Saturn (Shani) in Vedic astrology. It is said to bring discipline, focus, and swift karmic resolution. Ceylon blue sapphires are considered the most powerful for this purpose.

Q: What is a Padparadscha sapphire?

A Padparadscha sapphire is the rarest and most coveted of all sapphires — a corundum of extraordinary colour that exists at the precise intersection of pink and orange, like the sky at a tropical sunset. Its name derives from the Sanskrit padmaraga, meaning lotus colour. Ceylon (Sri Lanka) is its only true home, and fine specimens command prices per carat that exceed all other sapphires and rival the finest rubies. It is considered the king of sapphires.

For over two millennia, the island of Serendib has yielded gemstones of unrivalled colour, clarity and character. We invite you to explore the stones that have captivated emperors, adorned royal crowns, and passed through the hands of our family for generations.

Ratnapura - City of Gems

Sri Lanka is one of the most gem-rich nations on earth. In an area smaller than Ireland, the island produces over 75 varieties of precious and semi-precious stones, a geological miracle born of ancient metamorphic rock, alluvial river deposits, and the slow alchemy of time.

The city of Ratnapura, whose very name means 'City of Gems' in Sanskrit, has been the heartland of Sri Lankan gem mining for more than 2,000 years. Miners still work by hand, sifting through illam, the gem-bearing gravel, in a tradition unchanged since antiquity.

At Continental Jewellers, every stone we handle passes through this ancient lineage. We source directly, examine personally, and present only those gems that meet the exacting standards our family has upheld since 1863.

“Sri Lanka is one of only a handful of nations where blue sapphire, ruby, alexandrite, cat's eye chrysoberyl, and spinel are all found within the same geological formation, a concentration of gem diversity unmatched anywhere on earth.”

Planet

Venus

TaurusLibraVirgo

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Alexandrite

The Chameleon Stone

Hardness

Mohs 8.5

Rarity

Green in Daylight, Red by Lamplight

Birthstone

June

Planet

Mercury

GeminiScorpio

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Vaidurya

Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl

The Eye of the Gods

Hardness

Mohs 8.5

Rarity

Honey Gold to Olive Green

Birthstone

None (astrological stone)

Planet

Ketu (South Node)

AriesSagittarius

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Spinel

The Great Impostor

Hardness

Mohs 8

Rarity

Vivid Red to Pink

Birthstone

August (alternative)

Planet

None (traditional)

AriesScorpioSagittarius

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Chandrakantha

Moonstone

The Stone of the Moon

Hardness

Mohs 6

Rarity

Blue Adularescence on White

Birthstone

June

Planet

Moon

CancerLibraScorpio

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Tourmaline

The Rainbow Stone

Hardness

Mohs 7.5

Rarity

Every Colour of the Spectrum

Birthstone

October

Planet

Venus

LibraSagittarius

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Jarkan

Zircon

The Ancient Brilliance

Hardness

Mohs 7.5

Rarity

Sky Blue to Golden

Birthstone

December

Planet

Jupiter (traditional)

SagittariusLeo

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Rathu Minikaya

Garnet

The Stone of Commitment

Hardness

Mohs 7

Rarity

Deep Red to Violet

Birthstone

January

Planet

Rahu (North Node)

AriesLeoVirgoCapricorn

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Pushparaga

Topaz

The Stone of Strength

Hardness

Mohs 8

Rarity

Golden Yellow to Blue

Birthstone

November

Planet

Jupiter

SagittariusLeo

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Aquamarine

The Sea of Ceylon

Hardness

Mohs 7.5

Rarity

Icy Blue-Green

Birthstone

March

Planet

Neptune / Moon

PiscesAquariusAries

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Marakata

Emerald

The Garden of Light

Hardness

Mohs 7.5

Rarity

Vivid Green

Birthstone

May

Planet

Mercury

TaurusGemini

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Opal

Australian Opal

The Spectrum Stone

Hardness

Mohs 5.5

Rarity

Play-of-Colour

Birthstone

October

Planet

Venus

LibraScorpio

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Hardness

Mohs scale

Rarity

Second only to diamond

Colour

Sunset Coral-Orange and Rose-Pink

Padmaraga · The King of Sapphires

Padparadscha Sapphire

The Padparadscha is the rarest and most coveted of all sapphires, a corundum of extraordinary colour that exists at the precise intersection of pink and orange, like the sky at the moment of a tropical sunset. Its name derives from the Sanskrit padmaraga, meaning lotus colour, a reference to the sacred lotus flower of Sri Lanka whose petals hold exactly this ineffable hue. No other gemstone in the world commands the reverence, the rarity premium, or the passionate devotion among connoisseurs that the Padparadscha inspires. Ceylon is its only true home.

Historical Lore

The Padparadscha has been known in Sri Lanka for over two thousand years, revered in the courts of Sinhalese kings and traded along the ancient gem routes to India, Persia, and Rome. It appears in the Ratnapariksha, the ancient Sanskrit treatise on gemstones, as the most auspicious of all coloured stones. Today, fine Padparadscha sapphires command prices per carat that exceed all other sapphires and rival the finest rubies. A single exceptional specimen can fetch millions at auction.

Birthstone

September

Zodiac Signs

TaurusLibraLeoPisces

Vedic Planet

Sun and Venus

The Padparadscha is considered in some Vedic traditions to carry the combined energies of the Sun and Venus — the vitality and authority of ruby with the grace and beauty of diamond. It is said to bring extraordinary good fortune, creative inspiration, and the rare gift of being loved and admired by all who encounter the wearer. It is among the most auspicious stones a person can possess.

Found in Sri Lanka

RatnapuraElaheraOkkampitiyaKataragama

Enquire About This Stone

Hardness

Mohs scale

Rarity

Second only to diamond

Colour

Royal Cornflower Blue

Nil Manikya · The Celestial Stone

Blue Sapphire

The Ceylon Blue Sapphire is the most celebrated gemstone in the world. Its velvety, cornflower-blue hue, caused by trace amounts of iron and titanium, is a colour that no other deposit on earth has replicated. The finest specimens display a silky asterism or a luminous transparency that seems to hold light from within.

Historical Lore

Marco Polo wrote of Ceylon's sapphires in 1292. The 423ct Blue Belle of Asia, one of the world's most valuable sapphires, originated here. The British Crown Jewels contain several Ceylon sapphires, including the Stuart Sapphire in the Imperial State Crown.

Birthstone

September

Zodiac Signs

TaurusVirgoLibraCapricorn

Vedic Planet

Saturn

In Vedic astrology, blue sapphire (Neelam) is the stone of Saturn (Shani). It is said to bring discipline, focus, and swift karmic resolution. Worn correctly, it is believed to accelerate success; it demands careful astrological consultation before wearing.

Found in Sri Lanka

RatnapuraElaheraBalangodaOkkampitiyaKataragama

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Hardness

Mohs scale

Rarity

Second only to diamond

Colour

Vivid Canary Yellow to Golden

Pushparaga · The Stone of Jupiter

Yellow Sapphire

Ceylon yellow sapphire is among the most prized of all coloured gemstones, a corundum of the same exceptional hardness as blue sapphire, but in a spectrum of vivid yellows ranging from pale lemon to intense canary and deep golden. The finest specimens from Sri Lanka display a pure, saturated colour with extraordinary brilliance and exceptional clarity, a combination that has made them the most sought-after yellow sapphires in the world.

Historical Lore

Yellow sapphire has been revered in the Indian subcontinent for over three thousand years as the stone of Brihaspati - Jupiter, the great benefic. Sri Lanka has been the world's primary source of fine yellow sapphire for centuries.

Birthstone

November (alternative)

Zodiac Signs

SagittariusPiscesAries

Vedic Planet

Jupiter

Yellow sapphire (Pukhraj) is the stone of Jupiter in Vedic astrology — the most auspicious of all planetary gemstones. It is said to bring wisdom, prosperity, good fortune, and the blessings of one's guru. Worn in gold on the index finger of the right hand on a Thursday, it is believed to enhance generosity, spiritual growth, and marital happiness.

Found in Sri Lanka

RatnapuraElaheraBalangodaOkkampitiya

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Hardness

Mohs scale

Rarity

Second only to diamond

Colour

Pigeon's Blood Red

Rathu Manikya · The King of Gems

Ruby

Ceylon rubies are prized for their warm, raspberry-red to pinkish-red hues, distinct from the deeper Burmese pigeon's blood but celebrated for their exceptional brilliance and fluorescence. Sri Lankan rubies often display a vivid glow under ultraviolet light, a quality that makes them luminous even in candlelight.

Historical Lore

Ancient Sanskrit texts called ruby the ratnaraj — king of precious stones. Sri Lankan rubies have been traded along the Silk Road since the 4th century BC.

Birthstone

July

Zodiac Signs

AriesCancerLeoScorpio

Vedic Planet

Sun

Ruby (Manikya) is the stone of the Sun in Vedic astrology. It is said to bring vitality, confidence, and leadership. Worn in gold on the ring finger of the right hand, it is believed to strengthen the solar influence and bring recognition, authority, and good health.

Found in Sri Lanka

RatnapuraElaheraOkkampitiya

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Hardness

Mohs scale

Rarity

Second only to diamond

Colour

Vivid Hot Pink to Rose

Rathupushparaga · The Rose of Ceylon

Pink Sapphire

Ceylon pink sapphire is among the most coveted of all coloured gemstones, a corundum of the same exceptional hardness as blue sapphire, but in a spectrum of vivid pinks ranging from delicate rose to intense hot pink and magenta. The finest specimens from Sri Lanka display a pure, saturated colour with extraordinary brilliance.

Historical Lore

Pink sapphire was long considered a rare variety of ruby — the boundary between the two is defined by colour saturation alone. Fine pink sapphires from Sri Lanka have appeared in collections at Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, and Graff.

Birthstone

September

Zodiac Signs

TaurusLibraVirgo

Vedic Planet

Venus

Pink sapphire is associated with Venus in Western astrology, governing love, beauty, and harmony. It is said to bring compassion, emotional clarity, and the grace of feminine strength.

Found in Sri Lanka

RatnapuraElaheraBalangodaKataragama

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Hardness

8.5

Mohs scale

Rarity

Excellent hardness

Colour

Green in Daylight, Red by Lamplight

Alexandrite · The Chameleon Stone

Alexandrite

Alexandrite is perhaps the most extraordinary gemstone in existence, a chrysoberyl that appears vivid green in daylight and transforms to raspberry red or purplish-red under incandescent light. Ceylon alexandrite is among the finest in the world, displaying a dramatic colour change and exceptional clarity.

Historical Lore

Alexandrite was first discovered in Russia's Ural Mountains in 1830, on the birthday of Tsar Alexander II, for whom it was named. Fine specimens now command prices exceeding fine rubies.

Birthstone

June

Zodiac Signs

GeminiScorpio

Vedic Planet

Mercury

Alexandrite is associated with Mercury in some astrological traditions, governing communication, intellect, and adaptability. It is considered a stone of good fortune and is said to strengthen intuition.

Found in Sri Lanka

RatnapuraBalangodaElahera

Enquire About This Stone

Hardness

8.5

Mohs scale

Rarity

Excellent hardness

Colour

Honey Gold to Olive Green

Vaidurya · The Eye of the Gods

Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl

The cat's eye chrysoberyl is the only gemstone that, when described simply as cat's eye without qualification, refers exclusively to this stone. Its defining feature is chatoyancy, a sharp, luminous band of light that glides across the dome of the cabochon like the slit pupil of a cat's eye. Ceylon produces the world's finest specimens.

Historical Lore

Cat's eye chrysoberyl has been revered in Sri Lanka for over 2,000 years. Ancient Sinhalese kings wore it as a talisman against the evil eye. The stone is one of the nine Navaratna gems.

Birthstone

None (astrological stone)

Zodiac Signs

AriesSagittarius

Vedic Planet

Ketu (South Node)

Cat's eye (Vaidurya) is the stone of Ketu in Vedic astrology. It is said to protect against unseen dangers, ward off the evil eye, and bring sudden good fortune.

Found in Sri Lanka

RatnapuraMataraGalle

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Hardness

Mohs scale

Rarity

Excellent hardness

Colour

Vivid Red to Pink

Spinel · The Great Impostor

Spinel

For centuries, the finest red spinels were mistaken for rubies, the Black Prince's Ruby in the British Imperial State Crown is, in fact, a 170ct spinel. Ceylon produces spinel in a remarkable range of colours: vivid red, hot pink, orange, lavender, and the rare cobalt blue.

Historical Lore

The Timur Ruby, 352ct and inscribed with the names of the Mughal emperors who owned it, is a spinel. For centuries, the finest spinels were indistinguishable from rubies to the naked eye.

Birthstone

August (alternative)

Zodiac Signs

AriesScorpioSagittarius

Vedic Planet

None (traditional)

Spinel is increasingly recognised in contemporary Vedic practice as a substitute for ruby. It is said to carry similar solar energy — vitality, courage, and leadership — without the intensity that makes ruby demanding to wear.

Found in Sri Lanka

RatnapuraElaheraOkkampitiya

Hardness

Mohs scale

Rarity

Moderate hardness

Colour

Blue Adularescence on White

Chandrakantha · The Stone of the Moon

Moonstone

Ceylon moonstone is the world standard for this gem. Its defining quality is adularescence, a floating, billowing blue light that moves beneath the surface as the stone is turned, like moonlight on water. The finest Ceylon moonstones display a deep, electric blue sheen on a near-colourless body.

Historical Lore

In ancient Rome, moonstone was believed to be formed from solidified moonbeams. In Hindu tradition, it is a sacred stone associated with the moon god Chandra.

Birthstone

June

Zodiac Signs

CancerLibraScorpio

Vedic Planet

Moon

Moonstone (Chandrakantha) is the stone of the Moon in Vedic astrology. It is said to bring emotional balance, intuition, and feminine energy. Worn in silver on the little finger on a Monday, it is believed to bring calm, creativity, and receptivity.

Found in Sri Lanka

MeetiyagodaAmbalangodaGalle

Hardness

7.5

Mohs scale

Rarity

Good hardness

Colour

Every Colour of the Spectrum

Tourmaline · The Rainbow Stone

Tourmaline

No gemstone offers a wider range of colour than tourmaline. Ceylon produces specimens in vivid green, mint, pink, red, blue, and the prized bi-colour and watermelon varieties. The island's tourmalines are noted for their exceptional clarity and saturation.

Historical Lore

The name tourmaline derives from the Sinhalese word turmali, meaning mixed gems. Dutch traders brought the first tourmalines to Europe from Ceylon in the early 18th century.

Birthstone

October

Zodiac Signs

LibraSagittarius

Vedic Planet

Venus

Tourmaline is associated with Venus in some traditions. Green tourmaline is said to attract abundance and vitality; pink tourmaline is associated with love and emotional healing.

Found in Sri Lanka

RatnapuraElaheraMatale

Hardness

7.5

Mohs scale

Rarity

Good hardness

Colour

Sky Blue to Golden

Jarkan · The Ancient Brilliance

Zircon

Zircon is one of the oldest minerals on earth. Ceylon produces zircon in a remarkable range of colours: sky blue, golden yellow, orange, red, and colourless. Blue zircon has a brilliance and fire that rivals diamond. It is entirely natural and should not be confused with cubic zirconia, which is a synthetic material.

Historical Lore

Zircon was known in ancient India as jarkan and was prized as a talisman for travellers. The colourless variety was widely used as a diamond substitute before synthetic stones were developed.

Birthstone

December

Zodiac Signs

SagittariusLeo

Vedic Planet

Jupiter (traditional)

Zircon, particularly the golden variety, is associated with Jupiter in some Vedic traditions as an alternative to yellow sapphire. It is said to bring wisdom, prosperity, and spiritual clarity.

Found in Sri Lanka

RatnapuraElaheraMatara

Hardness

Mohs scale

Rarity

Good hardness

Colour

Deep Red to Violet

Rathu Minikaya · The Stone of Commitment

Garnet

Ceylon produces several varieties of garnet, most notably the deep red almandine and the rare colour-change garnet. The island also yields hessonite (gomedha), a honey-orange variety prized in Vedic astrology as one of the nine sacred Navaratna stones.

Historical Lore

Garnets have been used as gemstones for over 5,000 years. Ancient Egyptians placed them in pharaohs' tombs as symbols of life. In Sri Lanka, garnet has been mined continuously since antiquity.

Birthstone

January

Zodiac Signs

AriesLeoVirgoCapricorn

Vedic Planet

Rahu (North Node)

Hessonite garnet (Gomedha) is the stone of Rahu in Vedic astrology. It is said to bring clarity of thought, remove confusion, and protect against the malefic effects of Rahu. It is one of the nine Navaratna stones.

Found in Sri Lanka

RatnapuraMataraGalleTissamaharama

Hardness

Mohs scale

Rarity

Excellent hardness

Colour

Golden Yellow to Blue

Pushparaga · The Stone of Strength

Topaz

Ceylon produces fine yellow and golden topaz, the imperial variety, as well as colourless specimens of exceptional clarity. The golden topaz of Sri Lanka has a warm, honeyed tone distinct from the paler yellows of other sources.

Historical Lore

The ancient Greeks believed topaz gave them strength. In the Middle Ages, it was thought to cool boiling water and calm anger.

Birthstone

November

Zodiac Signs

SagittariusLeo

Vedic Planet

Jupiter

Yellow topaz (Pushparaga) is associated with Jupiter in Vedic astrology. It is said to bring wisdom, prosperity, and spiritual growth.

Found in Sri Lanka

RatnapuraElaheraBalangoda

Hardness

7.5

Mohs scale

Rarity

Good hardness

Colour

Icy Blue-Green

Aquamarine · The Sea of Ceylon

Aquamarine

Aquamarine is celebrated for its serene, icy blue-green colour, the precise shade of a tropical sea in clear sunlight. Ceylon produces aquamarine of exceptional clarity and size, with the finest specimens displaying a pure, saturated blue-green that is entirely natural and untreated.

Historical Lore

The name derives from the Latin aqua marina — water of the sea. Ancient sailors carried aquamarine as a talisman for safe passage and calm waters.

Birthstone

March

Zodiac Signs

PiscesAquariusAries

Vedic Planet

Neptune / Moon

Aquamarine is associated with Neptune and the Moon in Western astrology. It is said to sharpen the intellect, promote honest communication, and bring courage to those who wear it.

Found in Sri Lanka

RatnapuraElaheraMataleKandy

Hardness

7.5

Mohs scale

Rarity

Good hardness with care

Colour

Vivid Green

Marakata · The Garden of Light

Emerald

Emerald is the most prized of the green gemstones, celebrated for its rich, saturated colour and extraordinary inner light. Ceylon yields emeralds of exceptional clarity, their vivid green born of chromium and vanadium deep within the earth. The finest specimens display a pure, luminous green that has captivated royalty and collectors for millennia.

Historical Lore

Known as Marakata in Sanskrit, the emerald has been revered since antiquity. Cleopatra famously adorned herself with emeralds, and Mughal emperors engraved them with sacred texts. In Sri Lanka, the stone has long been associated with Mercury and the power of the mind.

Birthstone

May

Zodiac Signs

TaurusGemini

Vedic Planet

Mercury

Emerald is the stone of Mercury (Budha) in Vedic astrology. It is said to sharpen intellect, enhance communication, and bring clarity of thought. Worn by scholars, merchants, and those who seek wisdom.

Found in Sri Lanka

RatnapuraElaheraMatale

Hardness

5.5

Mohs scale

Rarity

Handle with care

Colour

Play-of-Colour

Opal · The Spectrum Stone

Australian Opal

Australian opal is nature's most spectacular light show — a single stone that contains every colour of the rainbow, shifting and dancing with each movement. The finest white opals from Lightning Ridge and Coober Pedy display broad, vivid flashes of red, orange, green and violet across a luminous white body, a phenomenon known as play-of-colour that no other gemstone can replicate.

Historical Lore

Ancient Romans called opal the Queen of Gems, believing it contained the fire of rubies, the sea of emeralds, and the sky of sapphires. Aboriginal Australians have revered opal for over 40,000 years, believing the Creator descended to earth on a rainbow, and where his foot touched the ground, the stones came alive with colour.

Birthstone

October

Zodiac Signs

LibraScorpio

Vedic Planet

Venus

Opal is associated with Venus in Western astrology. It is said to amplify emotions, enhance creativity, and bring inspiration and spontaneity to those who wear it.

Found in Sri Lanka

AustraliaEthiopiaMexico

Vedic Tradition

The Navaratna - Nine Sacred Stones

In the ancient Vedic tradition, nine gemstones are held to embody the nine celestial bodies of the solar system. Together, they form the Navaratna, a sacred configuration worn to harmonise all planetary influences simultaneously. Sri Lanka is one of the only places on earth where all nine Navaratna stones are found within a single island.

Sun

Ruby

Manikya

Moon

Moonstone / Pearl

Chandrakantha

Mars

Red Coral

Praval

Mercury

Emerald

Panna

Jupiter

Yellow Sapphire

Pushparaj

Venus

Diamond

Heera

Saturn

Blue Sapphire

Neelam

Rahu

Hessonite Garnet

Gomedha

Ketu

Cat's Eye

Vaidurya

Ratnapura · Elahera · Meetiyagoda

From the Earth to Your Hand

Sri Lanka's gem deposits are found in alluvial gravels — ancient riverbeds and flood plains where millennia of erosion have concentrated gem-bearing minerals. The primary mining region is the Sabaragamuwa Province, centred on Ratnapura, but significant deposits are also found in the Central, Southern, and Uva Provinces.

Traditional mining is done by hand. Miners dig shafts through the overburden to reach the illam, the gem-bearing gravel layer, then haul it to the surface in baskets. The gravel is washed and sifted in wooden cradles, and rough stones are sorted by eye. It is labour-intensive, skilled work, and the miners who do it carry knowledge passed down through generations.

Private Collection

Seeking a Particular Stone?

Our private collection includes stones not listed here, rare padparadscha sapphires, star sapphires, colour-change garnets, and exceptional specimens acquired over decades. We welcome enquiries from collectors, jewellers, and those seeking something truly singular.

Enquire Privately