Sapphire Mining in the old Ceylon

Watakado is the most romantic region of Ceylon with bamboo homes of the jewel diggers who search out treasures that have been hidden for centuries. Priceless gems are the objects of keen possession and gambling for high stakes. In a wet gravel bed, that must be drained before mining, underground rivers running through ages rolled and polished a million pebbles to form Ceylon precious gems.

On a day fixed by astrology, the material is hoisted to the surface in buckets and what first appeared to be just mud is washed by hands til all the clay is gone. Guards stand by watching every move to see that non of the stone is filtered. Newly mined sapphire stones are properly prepared for the important millwork that follows.

Cutting Sapphires using Traditional Gem Cutting Equipment

An uncut sapphire gemstone reveals little of the slumbering fire in its heart. But when an expert saws the same rough sapphire gemstone, he facets sharp prisms a truly reflected gorgeous radiant light. Native Ceylonese shaped the rough blue sapphire stone with an old string grinder in order to radiate its elegant lustre and colour. The final polishing operation must give blasting brilliance to attract the eyes of the jewel traders who come from many lands and to fascinate the ultimate purchases.

Sapphire trade in the early 20th Century

Mynomi De Alwis displays gems to Punchi Sinho a wealthy trader who exhausts 60K dollars in rare merchandise including the star sapphire with penetrating light points and bluish depth. The cat's eye resembles an opening and closing eye when moving around. Aquamarines are like the depth of the seas. A yellow sapphire shone in the light. The undying jewel one thousand years old has been a part of many lives. Gems somehow live for generations with unfailing beauty.