From Rough Stones to Radiant Gems: A Sri Lankan Journey
Ever wondered how raw crystals become the glittering jewels in your favorite necklace? 🛠️ We took a virtual tour of a gem-cutting factory near Colombo – Sri Lanka’s gemstone capital – to uncover the magic!
Workers here handle everything from sapphires that mirror tropical skies to moonstones glowing like miniature galaxies. Using techniques perfected over centuries, lapidarists (gem-cutting pros!) transform rough rocks into symmetrical masterpieces through:
- 💡 Precision cutting with diamond-tipped tools
- 🌈 Analyzing natural crystal structures
- ✨ Strategic polishing to maximize light reflection
Fun fact: Sri Lanka produces over 70 types of gems! Next time you see jewelry labeled ‘Ceylon sapphire’ (the island’s historic name), you’ll know its backstory. 🌏
Psst… The best part? Many artisans here train for decades to handle these treasures. Talk about #CareerGoals!
Reference(s):
cgtn.com