‘Ratnadeepa’ – Queen of Asia named largest natural corundum star sapphire cluster. Will it help to ease the present dollar crisis in Sri Lanka? – by by Dr Harold Gunatillake To visit Sri Lanka is to experience one of the great gem sources and trading centers in the world. This country has a rich, almost unparalleled tradition and remains vitally important to the modern gemstone market. Sri Lanka has a true mine-to-market industry, both domestically and for export. Its evolution over the last two decades blends the best of traditional practices with modern technologies and business models The little island named the pearl of the Indian ocean, is considered as one of the single important sources for fine gemstones. The most notable ones are the blue sapphire, pink sapphire or ruby, and yellow sapphire, alexandrite, and cat’s eye chrysoberyl, almandine and hessonite garnet among others. These gems are found in ...