Gemstone Detective

Gemstone Detective I'm an independent gemstone expert helping collectors and buyers source gemstones ethically and safely. Welcome to Gemstone Detective!

Concierge sourcing and insider guidance from mine to market. I’m Kim Rix, a GIA qualified gemmologist and published author. With 10 years of experience in the industry, I specialise in uncovering the beauty and stories behind gemstones from around the globe. From sourcing gems to providing insights into their origins, my mission is to bring the fascinating world of gemstones closer to you. Join me

on a journey of discovery as we explore the rich tapestry of gemstones and their captivating histories. Feel free to reach out for consultations, expert advice, and more!

There's nothing naïve about asking questions at the source. What's risky is pretending you understand when you don't. ...
31/08/2026

There's nothing naïve about asking questions at the source. What's risky is pretending you understand when you don't.

30/08/2026

Ratnapura isn’t simply somewhere gemstones are sold. Gemstones are woven into the life and history of the place.

Next week, that world gets an international spotlight when Gem City Ratnapura 2026 opens.

I’ve spent many fascinating days exploring the gem trade here, and there is always more to learn.

Before a gemstone is cut, there are decisions to make.A cutter isn’t simply deciding what shape will look attractive. Th...
30/08/2026

Before a gemstone is cut, there are decisions to make.

A cutter isn’t simply deciding what shape will look attractive. They are looking at the rough, its colour, inclusions, internal structure and where the weight might be lost, all while trying to bring out the best possible finished stone.

Sometimes the most beautiful result means sacrificing more of the original rough.

That is one of the reasons I find watching experienced gemstone cutters so fascinating.

Would you like to see more of the cutting process?

29/08/2026

Sri Lanka is rightly famous for its beaches, wildlife, ancient cities and tea country.

But there is another side that fascinates me: its gemstone world.

Going behind the finished jewellery and seeing where gemstones are mined, traded and cut gives you a completely different perspective on both the stones and the country.

That’s the Sri Lanka I love sharing.

A sapphire can look spectacular beneath showroom lighting, but that shouldn’t be the only place you assess it.Before buy...
28/08/2026

A sapphire can look spectacular beneath showroom lighting, but that shouldn’t be the only place you assess it.

Before buying, ask to see the stone in natural daylight and look at it from different angles.

Pay attention to how the colour changes, whether areas become very dark, and whether you still love the stone away from flattering shop lights.

Lighting won’t tell you whether a sapphire is natural, treated or where it came from, but it can tell you a great deal about whether you actually love the way it looks.

Save this for the next time you’re gemstone shopping.

27/08/2026

You can study gemstones for years and still discover something completely different when you see the trade at source.

In Sri Lanka, the journey from earth to finished gemstone becomes real: the mining, the rough, the cutting, the conversations and the judgement that comes from years of experience.

For me, this is where gemmology really comes alive.

My private Sri Lanka Gemstone Experiences are about getting closer to that world…not simply seeing gemstones, but understanding more about the journey behind them.

Welcome to Gem City 💎Ratnapura is preparing for the Gem City Ratnapura International Gem & Jewellery Exhibition, 31 Augu...
26/08/2026

Welcome to Gem City 💎

Ratnapura is preparing for the Gem City Ratnapura International Gem & Jewellery Exhibition, 31 August–2 September 2026; a fitting moment for a city that sits at the heart of Sri Lanka’s gemstone trade.

What I love about Ratnapura is that the story goes far beyond finished jewellery. This is where you begin to understand the people, the mining, the rough material, the cutting, the trading and the knowledge behind the stones.

That is also what makes my Sri Lanka Gemstone Experiences different. They are not simply about seeing beautiful gemstones, they are about understanding the world that exists before the sparkle.

Would you like to see more of the real gem trade in Sri Lanka?

It's easy to judge source markets from afar. It's very different when you're there, standing, watching, learning.
26/08/2026

It's easy to judge source markets from afar. It's very different when you're there, standing, watching, learning.

Address

London
E18

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 12pm

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+442089894886

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