Sri Lanka's Gem, Diamond & Jewellery Sector Growth 50pct by January 2012

23rd February 2012, www.dailynews.lk, By Sanjeevi Jayasuriya

The gem, diamond and jewellery sector has secured an overall growth of 50% as at end January 2012 earning a revenue of Rs 5,725 million in comparison with the corresponding figure of Rs 3,808 million in 2011.

The export of gemstones brought in a revenue of Rs 1,635 million recording a 39% growth while jewellery exports generated revenue of Rs 301 million showing an impressive 121% growth. The service cutting industry showed signs of recovery by recording a Rs 26 million income with a 50% growth.

"The feed back we are getting from traders who returned from the recently concluded 'GLDA' Tucson show is very encouraging. Regular American buyers are showing a keen interest in fine quality blue sapphires of large sizes and the prices fetched by unheated sapphires were unprecedented," National Gem and Jewellery Authority Chairman Prasad Galhena told Daily News Business.

In its export market promotion programme this year the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) intends to organize "Sri Lankan Pavilions" in a number of international gem and jewellery events.

There will be several mega events such as the Jewellery Shanghai Show, Hyderabad Jewellery, Perl and Gem Fair, Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, Malaysia International Jewelex, China International Jewellery Show (Beijing) and China International Gold, Jewllery and Gem Fair (Shanghai) during this year.

Related Info :

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President Rajapaksa at Jewels Sri Lanka – 2010 Exhibition. Inspects Two Most Valuable Gems Star of Sri Lanka and The Cats Eye

10th December 2010, www.news360.lk

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today took a closer look at the two of the most valuable gem stones found in Sri Lanka which is now being displayed at the ongoing ”Jewels Sri Lanka – 2010” exhibition.

Accordingly the blue star sapphire which is known as the “Star of Sri Lanka” and the “Cats eye” stone came under the inspection of President Rajapaksa.

President was the Chief Guest at the inauguration of the 3 day International Gem and Jewellery exhibition held at the BMICH in Colombo.

The exhibition which is taken part by a large number of exhibitors run until the 12th of this month.

SL Gem Export Bring Rs45bn in 2009

17th January 2010, www.nation.lk

Gem, diamond and jewellery export earnings in 2009 amounted to a massive Rs. 45 billion exceeding the estimated target, according to National Gem and Jewellery Authority Chairman / Chief Executive Officer Hasitha Tillekeratne.

A number of steps were taken under ‘Mahinda Chintana’ ‘to develop the gem industry and discovering new markets helped prevent Sri Lanka’s gem industry from being adversely affected by the global recession resulting in the collapse of markets in Europe, Japan and the USA.

The new markets for Sri Lankan gems are in India, China, Russia, Turkey, Taiwan and Oman.

The national budgets for the past two years granted a number of dividends, thus ensuring the industry’s stability.

In addition to helping the business community, steps have been taken to raise the living standards of traditional gem prospectors, introduce them to new technology, minimise accidents and give maximum compensation to accident victims.

The highest record of gem land auctions were held last year to provide lands for mining while projects were launched to protect infertile state lands where gem deposits are yet to be identified.

Plans have been drawn up to search for gems from the river beds of Mahaweli, Kalu Ganga and other major rivers through environmentally-friendly techniques, says the NGJA Chairman who observed that the supreme court and the appeal court dismissed cases filed by some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) against the NGJA’s plans. He expressed regret that certain media organisations, which gave big publicity to NGO allegations, failed to report the court proceedings.

He assures that all steps have been taken to minimise environmental damage and the National Gem and Jewellery Authority had detected and foiled a number of instances of unauthorised gem mining.

Sri Lanka’s First Celebrity Jewellery Line - ‘Otara’ Unveiled in Colombo

20th December 2009, sundaytimes.lk

Sri Lanka’s first celebrity jewellery line, ‘Otara’ was unveiled at Colombo Jewellery Stores last Sunday. Developed in partnership between Otara Gunewardena and CJS, the Otara-inspired design collections featured chic, contemporary and exotic jewellery using an extraordinary mix of coloured gems and diamonds all set in white gold.

The three collections named Kaleidoscope, Paradise and Cocktail use combinations of coloured sapphire, amethysts, citrines, green garnets, kyanite and black diamonds with the ‘O’ being used in all the designs.

Akram Cassim, CEO of Colombo Jewellery Stores, commenting on the idea of creating an ‘Otara’ jewellery collection said, “Otara has been a great source of influence and inspiration to the fashion conscious people in Sri Lanka.

She has also played a pivotal role in introducing the latest fashion trends. These collections represent the essence of success she has created for her name.”

Sharing her thoughts about the ‘Otara’ range, Otara said the creation of these collections had been an exciting experience.

“I was honoured when Akram asked me to partner in launching this brand and I look forward to creating more collections and developing the brand both locally and internationally.”

Colombo Jewellery Stores founded in 1922, located at No 1, Alfred House Gardens, Colombo 3, Crescat Boulevard, Galle Face Hotel & Odel, are also the official agents for TAG Heuer, Fendi and Dior watches.

Sri Lanka Gems and Jewellery at Shanghai Jewellery Fair 2009

14th Decembr 2009, www.dailymirror.lk

The National Gem and Jewellery Authority together with Sri Lankan jewellery companies showcased a dazzling array of Sri Lanka's gems and jewellery at the fifth 'China International Gold, Jewellery and Gem Fair 2009' held from 26 to 29 November in Shanghai, China.

Shanghai has now become the leading hub with exchange centres at the heart of the jewellery industry, offering trading in gold, plated gold, diamonds and silver. The fair is being held in Shanghai since 2003. In 2008, the fair attracted over 170 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions and over 9,000 buyers and visitors from home and abroad.

The 16 Sri Lankan companies whic displayed products at the Sri Lanka stall were Beauty Gems, Crest Gems Limited, D. B. Enterprises, Furqan Ali and Sons, Gem Cottage, Jagath Nilantha Gems & Lapidary, K. L. W. Gamini Export, Lanka Rare Gems Exporters & Lapidary, M. R. H. Naina Marikar and Sons, Namlanka Jewellers, South Lankan Gems and Jewellery, Sweeny Jewellers, The Choice, Wijaya Gems, Yong Hua Lanka Gems and Jewellery and Zam Gems.

Several other Sri Lankan companies including Buraak Jewels, Ruby N' Sapphire, Shan Trading Gems, Queen Lanka Gems and Jewellery, Expo Lanka and Multi Gems had set up their very own stalls at the fair. SL gems and jewellery

A special gem and jewellery collection was also on display at the prestigious LAN Club for a selected high end cliental on the sidelines of the jewellery fair, giving the Sri Lankan gem and jewellery companies an opportunity to market their products and position Sri Lanka as a land of sapphires in the Chinese market.

Over US$ 150,000 worth of transactions were carried out during this four hour display.

Sri Lanka's participation was facilitated by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority of Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Consulate in Shanghai.

Sri Lankan Gems in China, As A Large Number of Gem and Jewellery Companies Participate in International Trade Fairs

28th October 2009, www.dailynews.lk

Thirty four gem and jewellery companies will participate in trade fairs in China in November this year.

This is the first time a large number of gem and jewellery companies have decided to participate in international trade fairs in China, a senior official of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority told Daily News Business.

The first trade fair, the China International Jewellery Fair, Beijing will be held from November 5 - 9 with the participation of 18 Gem and Jewellery companies from Sri Lanka. The second trade fair, the China Gold, Jewellery and Gem Fair in Shanghai will be held from November 26 to 29 with the participation of 16 gem and jewellery companies from Sri Lanka.

China has been recognized as a potential and lucrative market for Sri Lankan gems and jewellery.