FACETS Sri Lanka 2012 - 22nd International Gem & Jewellery Show

FACETS Sri Lanka 2012, the 22nd International Gem & Jewellery Show will be held from 5th-8th September at the he BMICH Exhibition and Convention Centre in Colombo.
FACETS Sri Lanka, held since 1991, will showcase a wide variety of sapphires and gemstones from producers and wholesalers from all the main producing areas of Sri Lanka.
Organizers say this year exhibitors increased by more than 50 percent and the show will have smart new booths displaying a greater variety of fine gemstones and exquisite Jewellery.
A series of stunning Jewellery fashion shows, pairing fashion with fine Jewellery, will be held daily during the entire duration of the Fair, the organizers announced.
The exhibition will have 154 booths and profile for exhibit includes precious & semiprecious gems, jewellery, lapidary & machinery items, fashion accessories and lifestyle products, gold and silver-plated base metal jewellery, crystal, cubic zirconia, rhinestone jewellery, fashion watches, belts and buckles.
A large number of influential trade visitors from around the world, especially from Russia and China are expected to visit the exhibition.

FACETS 2012 promises better overseas participation and wider cosmopolitan exposure, to both product and company. Steady consistent growth and gradually diversify from the inception, has been the impetus to both seasoned trader and novice to put forth quality, from the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. 

 

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Rathnapura, The city of Gems

Ratnapura lies 101 Km Southeast of Colombo. The scenic route takes you passing paddy fields, rubber plantations and tea estates.

Throughout history, Sri Lanka has been known as a land of gems. King Solomon was said to have procured a great ruby for the queen of Sheba from Ceylon (Sri Lanka's former name). Marco Polo (1293 AD) wrote about the ruby that once graced the Ruwanweliseya Dagoba at Anuradhapura..."a flawless ruby a span long and quite as thick as a man's fist". 

Sri Lanka has produced three of the world's largest blue sapphires, including the 'Blue Bell' which adorns the British crown and the 'Star of India', displayed at the New York Museum of Natural History.

A visit to one of the museums or many gem workshops will give you the opportunity to see a variety of precious stone, such as rubies, sapphires, cat's eyes, alexandrites, aquamarines, tourmalines, spinels, topaz, garnets, amethyst, zircons etc. You could also visit one of the gem mines.
Temple in the sky

Ratnapura is situated at the foot of the 2243 metre high Adam's Peak. All four major religions claim Adam's Peak as a holy mountain. Buddhists call the mountain Sri Pada (the sacred footprint), or Samanalakande (Butterfly Mountain) and believe the Lord Buddha has visited the mountain and set his sacred footprint. Hindu's say it's Lord Shiva's and Muslims believe that it is the place where Adam first set foot on earth, after being cast out of heaven. Catholics say it is of St. Thomas' the Christian Apostle who preached in South India.

Ratnapura is also the staring point for the 'Classic' Hard route up Adam's Peak, via Gilimale and Carney estate. The Pilgrimage season starts on Poya (full moon) day in December and runs until the start of the South-West Monsoon in April. It has been a pilgrimage centre for over a 1000 years. King Parakramabahu and King Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa provided ambalamas or 'resting places' for weary pilgrims along the mountain route. The other more popular route is through Dalhousie (pronounced 'Del-house') close to Dickoya. Other routes to Adam's Peak.

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