Colombo unveils exclusive gems and jewellery mall: Gem Arcade

Wednesday, 22 November 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Colombo’s premier one-stop gems and jewellery mall, the Gem Arcade has been launched. The mall’s opening was graced by Minister of Public Enterprise Development Kabir Hashim, Minister of Urban Development and Water Supply Rauff Hakeem, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardena, and State Minister of Foreign Affairs Vasantha Senanayake, along with guests from the travel and tourism industry, overseas buyers, and other dignitaries.

The Gem Arcade is a brainchild of tourism entrepreneurs, Shaheen Nazeer and Zakraf Shafee, who saw the need for a one-stop shopping mall for buyers of high-end gems and jewellery. Located in the heart of Colombo, the Gem Arcade will feature a range of jewellery collections from four of Sri Lanka’s renowned jewellers: Alankara, Ceyital, Fine Gems and Zam Gems, for exclusive and exquisite gems and jewellery.

Gem Arcade Managing Director Zakraf Shafee said, “Sri Lanka has a historically renowned reputation for having some of the world’s best known gems, one of which adorns the crown of the Queen of England. Thus, it is important that we maintain this reputation. Collectors of high quality jewellery can now be reassured that their purchases are of the highest quality and with industry certification.”

Director Shaheen Nazeer said, “Having been in the tourism industry for over a decade, we see a huge demand for quality gems and jewellery. The Government of Sri Lanka is also promoting this industry as a source of foreign exchange earnings and we have now taken on the exciting opportunity of providing this service.”

The duo quoted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s speech at the recently concluded Sri Lanka International Gem & Jewellery Show, where he pointed out that even though the gem and jewellery industry gathered momentum in 1990, it was never sustained. He had noted that the Government expects gem and jewellery exports to become one of the prominent sources of foreign exchange earnings in the coming years.

The Gem Arcade is richly laid out to display the gems and jewellery from each of the five merchants, creating a more personalised, modern atmosphere for customers. A lounge area will allow customers to feel invited and relaxed, adding to the warmth of the mall’s objective of feeling trusted and confident. “We have changed the traditional jewellery buying process to create an atmosphere of warmth and welcome,” said the directors.

As the evening turned into night, the logo of the Arcade was officially turned on by State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardena, as well wishers looked on.

The Gem Arcade is located at No. 55, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 3.