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| Blue & Yellow Sapphire |
| Blue is the most popular of sapphire shades and Sri Lanka produces the world's finest. Sri Lankan sapphires range from delicate cornflower blue to deep royal blue. The pollen hued yellow sapphire is also popular. Buddhists associate the sapphire With peace and faithfulness hence its popularity as gem of choice for engagement rings. |
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| Star Ruby & Star Sapphire |
| Some rubies and sapphires have tiny inclusions which when cut in a cabochon style display a six-rayed star that dances and plays in light. Highly-prized since time immemorial, they were considered a talisman as well as a guiding star to travelers. |
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| Pathparaja |
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Topaz |
| Resembling a tropical sunset with its delicate blend of pink and orange, the pathparaja is one of the most prized of fancy sapphires. Exceedingly rare, most connoisseurs believe a genuine pathparaja can be sourced only in Sri Lanka. |
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Named after fire, the Topaz is said to possess the ability of balancing energy levels so that one is neither stressed nor depressed. The gems range in shade from orangey-yellow, to amber gold to sherry-red. The most valuable topaz is the imperial topaz a beautiful reddishgold. Topaz can also be found in brown, pink, purple and blue. |
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| Amethyst |
Gamet |
| Symbolising piety and celibacy in both Eastern and Western cultures, this purple stone has adorned the jewellery of many a cardinal, bishop, and priest. The amethyst, from the Greek word meaning "not drunk". is believed to protect its wearer from inebriation. Reputedly Cleopatra's favorite stone, it is the world's most popular crystalline quartz. |
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Garnets occur in all colours except blue though most are red, and even these encompass a wide variety of shades. Sri Lanka produces both the Hessonite garnet which ranges from brilliant yellow to yellowish brown and the Rhodolite garnet which varies in shade from pink to reddish lavender. |
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| Moonstone |
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Associated with moon magic, a full moon purportedly increasing its protective qualities, the moonstone comes in delicate shades such as pink, blue, green and white all with a lunar glow. The rare blue flash moonstone is found in the village of Mitiyagoda . |
| Aquamarine |
| A symbol of happiness and youth, the gemstone is also said to give the wearer insight and foresight. The aquamarine is named from the Latin term for "sea water" its blue-green hue evok~ing thoughts of the ocean. |
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| Cat's Eye |
| The honey yellow and apple green cat's eye is valued for the protection it yields the wearer. There are two varieties of cat's eye - the alexandrite cat's eye and the chrysoberyl cat's eye, popular in the Far East especially in Japan . The best of the chrysoberyl cat's eye are yellow brown resembling honey and yellow green, which appears apple green in hue. The chrysoberyl cat's-eye is one of the most beautiful gemstones because at its 'chatoyancy" or the cat-eye effect. |
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| Alexandrite |
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| The alexandrite resembles an emerald in daylight and a ruby in incandescent light, the change in colour caused by chromium levels. A favourite among Russian royalty and master gemmologist George Kunz of Tiffany's, the rarity of the gem further fuels demand for this precious stone. |
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