Ceylon ExcellenceSri Lankan gemstone identity
Ceylon sapphire · Knowledge · Trust
Sri Lanka’s blue,
beautifully refined.
Natural gemstones, professional guidance and real industry knowledge—presented with the clarity and confidence every exceptional stone deserves.
8Years in the
gem industry
gem industry
4Years in gem
education
education
Precision · Provenance · TrustDiscover Ceylon brilliance.
Industry KnowledgeExperience beyond the desk
Clear GuidanceIdentity, treatment and value
Professional TrustConfidence in every connection
Our company
One company.
Two focused brands.
Gemszen (Pvt) Ltd is the parent company operating both Balasooriya Gems and Gemszen Academy of Gemology.
Many clients and students know our founder by the name “Balasooriya.” That trusted recognition is why this website carries the Balasooriya Gems name—while representing the full range of expertise and services delivered through Gemszen (Pvt) Ltd.
Balasooriya Gems
Gem mining, gemstone buying and selling, and international gem export services.
Gemszen Academy of Gemology
Practical, industry-focused gem education developed for beginners and future professionals.
Official registration
Gemszen (Private) Limited
Registered in Sri Lanka as a private company under the Companies Act No. 7 of 2007.
- Company number
- PV 00297367
- Registered country
- Sri Lanka
Leadership
Experience grounded
in the real industry.
J B D H K Balasooriya is the Managing Director of Gemszen (Pvt) Ltd and a lecturer at Gemszen Academy of Gemology. With eight years of experience across gem mining operations, buying and selling, export and education, his work connects practical field knowledge with business understanding.
J B D H K BalasooriyaManaging Director · Gemszen (Pvt) Ltd
Lecturer · Gemszen Academy of Gemology
Lecturer · Gemszen Academy of Gemology
What we do
Complete gem-industry services.
01
Gem Mining
Practical involvement in Sri Lankan gem-mining operations, supported by field experience and responsible industry knowledge.
02
Gem Buying & Selling
Guidance and services for natural gemstone purchasing and selling, with attention to identity, quality, treatment and value.
03
Gem Export
Support for presenting Sri Lankan gemstones to international markets through professional export and business practices.
04
Gem Education
Practical gemology and gem-business education that connects classroom knowledge with field and market exposure.
Gem Knowledge Hub
Answers people search for
about gemstones.
Clear, practical guides on Sri Lankan gems, sapphire quality, treatments, identification, certification, mining and gem business.
01 · SRI LANKASri Lankan Gemstones
A practical introduction to sapphire, ruby, spinel, chrysoberyl, garnet, zircon, tourmaline and moonstone.
Read the guide →
02 · SAPPHIRECeylon Blue Sapphire
Colour, clarity, cut, carat weight, treatment, origin and certification explained.
Read the guide →
03 · IDENTIFICATIONNatural vs Synthetic Gems
Understand natural, laboratory-grown and imitation gemstones.
Read the guide →
04 · TREATMENTHeated vs Unheated Sapphire
What heat treatment means and why correct disclosure matters.
Read the guide →
05 · VALUEWhat Makes a Gem Valuable?
How colour, clarity, cut, weight, rarity, treatment and origin interact.
Read the guide →06 · TESTINGGemstone Identification
Safe observations, professional tests and the limits of home methods.
Read the guide →07 · GEUDAGeuda Sapphire
The Sri Lankan material, its appearance and relationship to heat treatment.
Read the guide →
08 · MININGGem Mining in Sri Lanka
Illam, traditional pit mining, washing, sorting and responsible practice.
Read the guide →09 · REPORTSGemstone Certificates
What a laboratory report can—and cannot—tell a buyer.
Read the guide →
10 · BUSINESSStarting a Gem Business
A practical foundation for learning, compliance, trust and risk control.
Read the guide →POPULAR GEMSTONE TOPICSGemstone inclusionsGem testing toolsRI, SG & hardnessRuby & sapphirePadparadscha sapphireStar sapphireYellow sapphireGemstone familiesView all gemstone guides →
Frequently asked
Quick gemstone answers
How can I tell if a gemstone is natural?
Appearance alone is not enough. A gemologist combines microscopic examination, physical properties and, when required, advanced laboratory testing.
Is a heated sapphire still natural?
It can be a natural sapphire that was mined and later heat-treated. Natural origin and treatment status are separate descriptions.
What determines sapphire value?
Colour, clarity, cut, carat weight, treatment, rarity, condition and market demand must be considered together.
Does a gemstone certificate state the price?
A gemological report normally addresses identity and detectable treatments. It is not the same as a monetary appraisal.
Educational information only. Important gemstone purchases should be supported by professional examination and an appropriate independent laboratory report.
Awards & Recognition
Recognition earned
through trusted service.
Honouring the achievements of Gemszen (Pvt) Ltd and its leadership in Sri Lanka’s gem industry.
2024 · PEOPLE’S PINNACLE
Best Gem Trading Company of the Year
Awarded to Gemszen (Pvt) Ltd at Sri Lanka Pinnacle 2024.
2024 · GOLDEN FEATHER AWARDS
Platinum Award
Presented to Gemszen (Pvt) Ltd and Mr. J. Balasooriya Don Hasitha Kumara Balasooriya.
Featured Business Profile
Gemszen grows
Sri Lanka’s gem business.
A visual business profile presenting our work across responsible gem mining, gemstone buying and selling, practical education, export and international industry connections.
Open full-size profile ↗
LEADER PROFILE
Hasitha K. Balasooriya
Managing Director · Gemszen (Pvt) Ltd
Lecturer · Gemszen Academy of Gemology
Through Gemszen, Hasitha K. Balasooriya combines practical gem-industry experience with education, responsible business development and international market engagement.
“Our goal is to empower people through knowledge, create opportunities and take Sri Lanka’s gem industry to greater heights.”
Gem MiningBuying & SellingGem EducationGem ExportGlobal Connections
Industry Connections
Connected with respected
names in the gem industry.
Professional relationships and shared industry moments that reflect active engagement within Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery sector.
With Subash Gems
A professional industry meeting at a Sri Lankan gem and jewellery exhibition.
With Winil Gems
A valued connection within Sri Lanka’s established gem-industry network.
Industry Experience
Present where the
gem world connects.
Selected moments from gem and jewellery exhibitions, international industry engagement and professional gem-mining discussions.
01
Sri Lanka Gem Exhibition
Industry connections, gemstone examination and exhibition experiences in Sri Lanka.
02
Japan Gem Exhibition
International exposure and professional engagement within Japan’s gem and jewellery market.
03
Gem Mining Conference 2025 · BMICH
Professional knowledge-sharing and discussion on Sri Lanka’s gem-mining industry.
Global Event Directory
Follow the world’s leading
gem & jewellery events.
Direct links to official organiser and government websites for schedules, visitor registration and exhibitor information. Details verified 01 October 2026; always reconfirm before making travel plans.
01
Upcoming in 2026
Confirmed events from October onward.
02
Sri Lanka Events
Important upcoming platforms for Sri Lankan gems, jewellery and export trade.
Jewels 202615–17 December 2026 · Venue to be announced, Sri LankaVisit ↗
Thodu – Exhibition for Sri Lankan Craftsmen18–20 December 2026 · Kandy City Centre, KandyVisit ↗
FACETS Sri Lanka 202704–06 January 2027 · Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, ColomboVisit ↗
Gem Sri Lanka 202707–09 January 2027 · Shangri-La ColomboVisit ↗
Sri Lanka EXPO 202714–17 January 2027 · BMICH, ColomboVisit ↗
NGJA Event CalendarOfficial national gem & jewellery event listingsView calendar ↗
03
Major Global Exhibitions
Next announced editions from official organiser websites.
Vicenzaoro January15–19 Jan 2027 · Fiera di Vicenza, Italy ↗
International Jewellery Tokyo27–29 Jan 2027 · Makuhari Messe, Japan ↗
GemGenève11–14 May 2027 · Palexpo, Geneva, Switzerland ↗
International Jewellery Kobe20–22 May 2027 · Kobe International Exhibition Hall, Japan ↗
JCK Las Vegas04–07 Jun 2027 · The Venetian Expo, Las Vegas, USA ↗
Practical education
Learning beyond
the classroom.
For four years, Gemszen Academy of Gemology has helped students build practical understanding through structured lessons, real mining-site exposure and direct observation of industry processes.
01
Geuda Sapphire Varieties
Visual examples and clear descriptions of Sri Lankan trade varieties. Select a variety to read the complete educational guide.
DIESEL GEUDA
Pale yellow or honey-toned translucent corundum with a characteristic oily-looking appearance.
Learn more →
DUM / DUN GEUDA
Pale corundum with a smoky, hazy or clouded appearance in light blue, yellow or pink tones.
Learn more →
SILKY GEUDA
A soft silky sheen commonly associated with fine oriented rutile needles known as silk.
Learn more →
MILKY GEUDA
Whitish or bluish milky cloudiness that scatters light and reduces transparency.
Learn more →
YOUNG GEUDA
A variable local trade expression for pale, relatively clear or lightly developed-looking rough.
Learn more →
OTTU
Rough showing distinct patches or zones of blue, pink, violet or pale colour.
Learn more →
KOWANGU PUSHPARAGA
Yellow to golden corundum rough that may show uneven colour, cloudiness or inclusions.
Learn more →Trade names describe appearance and may vary between dealers. They do not guarantee that heating will improve colour or clarity.
02
Classroom Workshops & Gem Identification
Interactive teaching, practical gemstone observation and guided student activities.
03
Field Education & Mining Experience
Direct exposure to gem-mining sites, equipment, processes and field identification.
04
More Practical Programmes
Selected moments from our continuing field-based learning activities.
Gemstone knowledge
Nature’s rare materials,
understood with care.
01 · CORUNDUM
Blue Sapphire
Sri Lanka is celebrated for blue sapphires with attractive colour and brilliance. Value depends on colour, clarity, cut, carat weight, origin and treatment status.
02 · CORUNDUM
Ruby
Ruby is the red variety of corundum. Its most important value factor is colour, followed by clarity, cut, size, origin and any treatment.
03 · COLOURED GEMS
Exceptional Colours
Padparadscha and yellow sapphires, tourmalines and many other coloured stones each have distinctive beauty, properties and market considerations.
Gemstone visuals in this section are AI-generated for presentation. Individual stones should always be assessed and documented separately.
Connect with us
Begin your gem journey
with trusted guidance.
Contact us for gemstone enquiries, gem-business services, export discussions or education programmes.
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