Srilanka is blessed with more gemological riches when compared to any other country in the world and the spectacular range of jewels found in its soil. The tropical island of Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) is most famous for its lovely sapphires, but it also produces a range of other gemstones is one of the major hubs of gem mining in the world . when Marco Polo traveled to Sri Lanka in 1292, he was
amazed to find this invaluable supply of treasure in varied types and colour. The beautiful island in the shape of a pear is also famous for its tea and rubber plantations as well as for gem mines and alluvial gem gravels that have been producing the best quality gems for centuries. According to geological history, gemstones were discovered in this charming island not prior to 500 B.C. During this period the Buddhists who traveled to Sri Lanka from Northern India found some precious gems while taking their bath in the streams and rivers of this island. The erosion of the rocks resulted to elongated placer deposits laden with precious gemstones in the beds of the flowing streams in the valleys which were located in the lower altitudes. The monks set these attractive colorful stones in their rings and other forms of jewellery like bracelets and armlets frequently worn during those days. During the course of their travels they traded these stones in the different markets of Asia and Europe. Interesting mythical stories state that King Solomon was so impressed with the gems of Ceylon, that he gifted Queen of Sheba these gemstones to woo her. It is also known that the Imperial Treasury of the Soviet Union prides itself of a beautiful red spinel from Sri Lanka, weighing around 400 carats. A giant oval-cut spinel also known as the "Black Prince's ruby" is studded in the British Imperial Crown. The Ceylonese sapphires are also randomly featured in the Crowns which are there in the Green Vaults of Dresden. Many more precious and beautiful gems await discovery in this charming island country and it is expected that the jewel trove of Sri Lanka will gift the world of gemstones with many more wonders in the years to come
