|
A parcel of pink and padparaja sapphires. Despite the
poor storage mean, this lot was sold at an enormous price. Consider that
sapphire rough will loose approx. 50% after cutting. |
Jungle outside Ratnapura. Gem pits are present all
over. |
The "Kaluganga" passing through Ratnapura.
One of the major 4 rivers of Sri Lanka. It springs from Adam's Peak.. |
Gem mining operation. You can see many sort of small
mining operations around town... |
|
Cutter pre-forming a sapphire. She is an exceptionally
skilled lapidarist. Ratnapura cutters are well known in Sri Lanka for the
finest and most lustrous, not automated cutting. |
Another skilled (and beautiful as well) lapidarist
working for our friend. |
Miners at an auction. Rough finds of a full week are
auctioned off to the high bidder. Parcels of rough are viewed by
the members, then everyone interested will place a silent bid and place it
in the glass belonging to that particular parcel. The highest bid win the
lot. |
A final check of the rough with an optivisor is
necessary before placing the bid. |
|
Counting the pieces of a parcel after viewing it. |
It is never enough checking the most likely clarity of
the rough...It takes years and years of experience, and even after all the
knowledge and experience accumulated, miners say: "rough is tough" |
Rice fields and Jungle. |
|
