Sri Lanka’s gems shine

Friday, 5 September 2014 00:38 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

FACETS opens with 150 stalls, 100 intl. buyers;

Sri Lanka remains one of the most important sources for precious stones globally, a German expert said yesterday, insisting that consumers place a higher value on local gems. Addressing FACETS 2014, the 24th edition of the international gem and jewellery exhibition, German Foundation of Gemstone Research and German Lab Managing Director Dr. Claudio C. Milisenda, who graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour, pointed out Sri Lanka has the ideal environment for gem formation, resulting in its stones being the most preferred in the world. “Sri Lanka is popular for its rubies and sapphires and that is greatly because it has the ideal environment for gem formation. Although an increased number of gems have been found in regions such as Eastern Africa, Sri Lanka continues to be one of the most important sources of fine sapphires in the world. There is no other country that and can match the size, quantity and quality of the stones of this country,” said Milisenda. He added that when required to analyse gems, at many instances clients have requested that only if it were from Sri Lanka to specify, if not refrain from mentioning the origin. “This shows the stones from Sri Lanka carry a much higher value than others.” Commending the National Gem Authority for having developed a framework for ethical mining practices that stressed on being responsible and transparent in the supply chain, Milisenda said: “To be fully transparent, the view and opinion of the industry is very important and it is also important to develop corporate social responsibility. This is imperative since very often a single item of fine jewellery that is produced today is a combined effort and the quality depends on the integrity of those involved in the supply chain.” FACETS 2014, which will come to a close on 7 September, encompasses over 150 stall holders, including an individual exhibitor pavilion from the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) and an SME pavilion from the Export Development Board (EDB). The event was attended by over 100 international buyers and largest delegation was from China with 80 members. In addition, FACETS saw buyers from India, Myanmar, UAE, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, USA, Russia and Germany.