Buying Gemstones and Jewellery in Sri Lanka

Buying Gemstones and Jewellery in Sri Lanka

Have you ever been tempted to buy jewellery on your travels?  I used to travel an awful lot more than I do these days, and much further afield too.  My ex and I would spend time walking around gem stores in Thailand but really without a clue about what we should be looking for.  I did come back from Dubai with a diamond ring but we never risked making an investment elsewhere.  We could have done with a copy of the newly published Buying Gemstones and Jewellery in Sri Lanka, some twenty-five years ago.  Wherever we walked in the country, whether it be Colombo or Kandy, we are always being asked to visit different gem stores.  I wonder if it’s the same all these years later?

Buying Gemstones and Jewellery in Sri Lanka

Written by gemmologist Kim Rix, Buying Gemstones and Jewellery in Sri Lanka is published through Filament Publishing tomorrow.  The book provides the reader with a step by step guide to buying gems in Sri Lanka and the pitfalls to avoid as a tourist.  It’s also a handy size to pop into a bag to take with you on your adventures.

This is the first book in the Gemstone Detective series which offers guidance to make the experience of gem buying abroad more informed.

Buying Gemstones and Jewellery in Sri Lanka

As much as I love jewellery, I really don’t have a clue about what I should be looking for in a gemstone.  In Buying Gemstones and Jewellery in Sri Lanka the author talks about all the key points you should be looking at, such as colour and saturation, clarity, cut and carat.

The book also talks you through where you should buy gemstones from.  I’ve lost count of the number of shops we were taken into over the years as part of a tour.  We never bought anything this way, as it was fairly obvious to us that we would be paying over the odds, and our driver was getting a cut of any sales. But then where should we go instead that was reputable? The book provides some really good tips on where to look for reputable sellers as well as providing information on brokers.  You should also receive a certificate of authenticity with any purchase.

Buying Gemstones and Jewellery in Sri Lanka

As well as providing a wealth of information on the famed Ceylon sapphires, the book also lists a number of other gemstones found in Sri Lanka.  Characteristics to look for as well as information on those stones that look different during the day and at night.  It’s a fascinating read.

Buying Gemstones and Jewellery in Sri Lanka

Buying Gemstones and Jewellery in Sri Lanka has definitely given me a better idea of what I should be looking for, should I get to visit the country again in the future.  It also lists some reputable stores as well as details of gem dealers and merchants.

In January 2019, three further books in the Gemstone Detective series will be launched focusing on Thailand, Australia and a third more general guide – Buying Gemstones and Jewellery Worldwide.   Other titles planned for the future include: Buying Gemstones & Jewellery in India, USA, Myanmar, Greece, Namibia, Tanzania, Kenya, Brazil, Cambodia, Vietnam, Egypt, China, South Africa and Afghanistan.

disclosure:  we were sent the item mentioned in exchange for an honest review

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