History of the Gem Industry in Sri Lanka

The early civilizations of China and India emerged prior to 600 CE in what is known today as the continent of Asia. With the Himalayan mountains in between them, these civilizations developed in isolation from one another, and yet still managed to produce kingdoms with continuous growing populations to this day. Individual growth and development amongst the people stimulated technological inventions, increased the chances of survival and lead to: greater agricultural production, strong armies, and expansion. Eventually, these commodities and other luxury items produced will be traded, spurring the economic growth of both civilizations. Overall, these early stages of development not only furthered contact amongst these two great empires allowing for cultural diffusion, but also set the foundation for future generations to follow. Although China and India’s growing empires took place in different parts of the world, the structure of their economies developed similarly, beginning with an agricultural infrastructure and progressing towards trade within and beyond the kingdoms, while also acquiring distinctive cultural differences overtime such as a social hierarchy defined by certain beliefs. These characteristics will define the beginning and the advancement of early economic systems used during the Foundations Era and Classical Age, and provides insight on the essentials that influenced the two economic

Jade Stones “nephrite” are a mineral composed of magnesium, iron, and silicate of calcium. Usually, they are formed through extreme heat and pressure known as metamorphism. Surprisingly, it can be found on every continent in the world, including countries like New Zealand, Brazil, China (Sinkiang), Canada, Zimbabwe, and the United State. It can be found in serpentine rock, by mining, alongside riverbanks, and seashores. Due to its composition these stones are shaped and polished before it is used in massage ("Nephrite Jade Gemstone Information", 2014).

"The Trading World of Asia and the English East India Company, 1660-1760." EHnet. Web. 08 Mar. 2015.

In the Indian ocean from 650 C.E. and 1750 C.E. there have been many continuities in commerce. One such continuity was the goods traded. For

The Sapphires by Wayne Blair is an award-winning film, which explore the lives of four aboriginal women Gail (Deborah Mailman, Julie (Jessica Mauboy), Cynthia (Miranda Tapsell) and their cousin Kay (Shari Sebbens) throughout their journey and role in the Vietnam War. A range of film techniques such as settings, characters, conflicts and symbols are used to explore prejudice towards their indigenous heritage, with a variety of film techniques as well.

Nowadays the wide array of transportation means and infrastructures at our disposal has made it relatively easy for us to travel from one country to another; even when those countries are thousands of miles away from each other. However, during the 13th and 14th centuries, travelling was not that easy. Yet, two men, the Italian tradesman Marco Polo and the Moroccan Jurist Ibn Battuta became famous for having managed to perform extremely long distance journeys away from their home country. At the end of their long travels, both men shared their experiences with the world via the books, The Travels of Marco Polo and The Travels of Ibn Battuta. An analysis of those two texts reveals two things. On one hand, Marco Polo remained a cultural

Semi-precious stones: can be used hot or cold, gem stones, usually used for shakra placing. Should be recharged; with reiki energy, leaving in sunlight/moonlight and cleansing in a bowl with other crystals.

of the Indian textiles, that the flow of the silver bullion is very conflicted because

Approximately 130,000,000 carats (26,000 kg) of diamonds are mined yearly, with a total value of nearly US$9 billion, and about 100,000 kg are synthesized annually.

Diamond is one of the most expensive gemstones. It is rare and it has difficult ways to extract. Diamond has been discoverd from thousands of years, it is the result of exposure carbon to heat under the ground over onethousand and fourhandred dgrees, and this is how diamonds are shaped. In this essay I will write , explain and compare between the four article about purpose and audence.

This journal refers to the time of Portuguese discoveries and expansion, as it refers to the first voyage of Vasco da Gama from Africa to India. It is an extremely meaningful document, as it describes the long and troubled voyage to India that in the end of the 15th century this voyage had an impact in global scales in the economic, political, religious, cultural and scientific levels of that time. Moreover, animals, trees and plants, birds, the different events, the arrival to India, contact with people, gifts, war equipments, food, musical and instruments, difficult navigation situations; and so on, that mentioned in the journal can help us to understand the environments at the

As per J. Willard Hershey in "The Book of Diamonds," precious stones were initially found in Arkansas in 1906. The state is one of the most elevated designer of the stones in the United States; somewhere around 1972 and 2005, 25,369 jewels were mined in the state, as per the official state website.Often called "Arkansas jewels," quartz gems are minerals found in Arkansas. Quartz precious stone was announced the state mineral in 1967.

When Ondaatje first references Ceylon in cartographical terms, the “glances” and “theories” used to describe the first impressions of explorers establishes a sense of uncertainty in their interpretations (45). The author describes these images as “false maps”, and observes that the “shapes differ so much they seem to be translations” (45). The inaccuracy implied by the word “false” and the reconstruction connoted by “translations” suggests that the explorers who created the maps conceived them in bits and pieces, never quite grasping a clear and unbiased image of Ceylon due to their own subjective point of view. Even the title of the chapter itself, “Tabula Asiae” (45), serves to reinforce the idea that

Relics always have been important part of Buddhism. Their mobility and amazing property of self-multiplication contribute to the growth of Buddhism across Asia. In China, the most famous relic is finger bones of Buddha Sakyamuni, found in Famensi. Robert H. Sharf wants to look at this relic in new perspective. Since many scholars tend to focus on the material appearance of the relic, instead of its production and the way they were treated by believers, Sharf argues that previous researches were taken in different direction. Also, the categories used by the scholars, along with the questions they asked may determine the possible answers and findings.

The story of these infamous diamonds all started with a fifteen year old who found a diamond in his father 's arm. The diamond business started in 1935 when “De Beers” took all control over dining prospects in Sierra Leone. De Beers are a group of companies has a main role in the exploration of diamonds, as well as diamond mining, diamond retail, diamond trading, and industrial diamond manufacturing sectors.This group was founded in 1888, and they are responsible for the problems Sierra Leone is facing today. These diamonds can be found in volcanic pipes. Diamonds are a pure form of carbon in a transparent state. Diamonds have always been a sign of wealth. Historically kings and queens were known for wearing these. Over time many people began lusting over them.