Sri Lanka is a paradise for Sapphires and foreigners in the past have and come today to either Colombo or Ratnapura in search of Sapphires said chairman of the International Colored Gem Stones Association, Benjamin Hackman.

He made this comment while attending the International Colored Gem Stones Congress held by the International Colored Gem Stones Association after a lapse of 26 years.

This Congress held in Colombo from 16 May and ended today (20 May) was attended by over 300 members representing the precious stone sector of 27 countries.

While speaking on this Congress, Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association’s Foreign Promotions Division’s Chairman Armil Sammoon said this Congress is held once every two years.

He added that at this Congress 29 globally accepted lecturers spoke about the new trends in the gemstones sector.

Armil Sammoon said that Sri Lanka aspires to increase the island’s annual revenue of gemstone exports to USD 01 billion.

Grant A Hamid, an Australian national attending the International Colored Gem Stones Congress in Colombo said large-scare gem mining using machinery does not suit Sri Lanka since this would hit the smaller gemstone dealers.

He further added that he had the opportunity to learn more and newer facts about his trade by attending the International Colored Gem Stones Congress in Colombo.

Photo caption: (Above) Grant A. Hamid sharing his experiences wit www.adaderanabiz.lk

[caption id="attachment_10416" align="alignnone" width="500"] International Colored Gem Stones Congress Chairman, Benjamin Hackman[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_10417" align="alignnone" width="500"] Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association’s Foreign Promotions Chairman Armil Sammoon[/caption]