The implementation of a computer-aided gemstone valuation system marks a significant step toward modernizing Sri Lanka‟s gem industry. By addressing the inconsistencies that have historically hindered the sector, ValGem has the potential to revolutionize gemstone valuation, ensuring fair pricing, boosting investor confidence, and
Positioning Sri Lanka as a leader in the global gemstone market.
This System establishes a standardized, technology-driven jewelry valuation system for Sri Lanka. By integrating material costs with design and market factors, it ensures transparent and consistent pricing. This initiative aims to boost global export competitiveness, build buyer trust, and strengthen the national economy.
Colorless topaz in the local gem market has been underutilized due to the limitations of gamma irradiation techniques. GJRTI has introduced a novel cobalt diffusion process that effectively produces attractive blue topaz within Sri Lanka.
A new method was developed to enhance the blue color of corundum using nanomaterials, and a patent application has been submitted for this innovation.
Mercury is widely used in Sri Lanka’s small-scale jewellery sector for gold recovery, exposing workers to harmful mercury vapors and causing significant health and environmental risks. A study revealed poor awareness of mercury’s toxicity and highlighted the urgent need to educate workers and introduce safe, non-mercury gold refining methods in line with the Minamata Convention’s goals to reduce mercury pollution.
Rice husks were heat-treated at various temperatures and heating rates, with 1100°C at 10°C/min for 2 hours in a programmable furnace showing the highest reactivity, producing highly purified rice husk ash (RHA) with 96.53% silica. The extracted silica was then converted into nanosilica using a chemical precipitation method and analyzed using SCM techniques.
Gem-bearing sediments contain valuable heavy and rare minerals, but in Sri Lanka, these sediments are usually discarded after gem recovery. This study evaluated the potential to extract economic minerals such as ilmenite, garnet, magnetite, and monazite, offering miners an opportunity to earn additional income.
All divisional secretariat areas in gem-bearing districts will be surveyed, and individual gem potential maps will be developed for each area.
Field exploration, sampling, sample mineralogical analysis, geochemical analysis and GIS analysis are incorporated to the methodology. 19 Divisional Secretarial Divisions Potential Maps are available.
This adds value to the final product in a way that makes this unused inferior quality corundum variety economically profitable. High temperature heat treatment in an oxidizing furnace chamber atmosphere was identified as the optimal treatment conditions for Kiri Kottara. This new technology can be used for the economic upliftment of the lower strata of the sector.
Low clarity enhancement and colour zoning of the heated thick silky geuda have limited the applicability of the efficient heat treatment. The findings suggest the optimal conditions to heat treat the thick silky geuda without forming an unappealing darker blue hue.
Gem deposit formation was evaluated using seven geological and environmental factors, which were analyzed through GIS-based Weighted Overlay and Weights of Evidence methods. The validated results helped forecast gem potential areas and supported effective planning for mining, land rehabilitation, and policy development.
While geuda sapphire heat treatment has been practiced in Sri Lanka since the 1980s, certain limitations still persist. GJRTI has developed a two-step heat treatment technique to maximize color enhancement and recovery efficiency in geuda processing.
Gem cutting and polishing enhance the beauty of rough gemstones, with quality and proper angles being critical for brilliance. This research used gem CAD software to redesign standard cuts for Zircon, Sapphire, Topaz, and Quartz, optimizing critical angles to improve beauty; the new cuts reduced pavilion angles and achieved an average weight loss of 17.41%, offering lapidaries designs that prioritize aesthetics over weight.
black zircon found in Sri Lankan gem-bearing sediments has long remained an untapped resource. GJRTI researchers discovered the optimum heat treatment conditions and color formation mechanism to convert these materials into high-value green zircon successfully.
Tourmaline nanoparticles exhibit unique physicochemical properties that can influence biological systems. This study identified their ability to stimulate the growth of Bifidobacterium bifidum, opening new possibilities in biomedical and probiotic applications.
The widely used LAKMINI gas furnace has been scientifically modified to achieve precise reducing and oxidizing conditions. These adjustments significantly improve color development in geuda, pink, and yellow sapphires.
Heat treatment of young geuda remains a major challenge in the gem industry. GJRTI has developed a new high-tech electrical furnace method using a nitrogen atmosphere to achieve effective color transformation without damage
A novel heat treatment approach combining the modified LAKMINI gas furnace and electrical furnace technology has been introduced. This method enhances color saturation and overall appearance in yellow sapphires with remarkable efficiency.
Red geuda often turns blue during conventional heat treatment, reducing its value. GJRTI researchers developed a new modified LAKMINI furnace technique that prevents blue coloration while achieving optimal red tones.
A specialized heat treatment process using an electrical furnace has been established to enhance the violet-blue coloration of Tanzanite. This new method ensures maximum color improvement and market-grade quality.
The GJRTI research team has introduced a precise heat treatment technique to remove the undesired blue hue from pink sapphires. This innovation, based on a modified LAKMINI gas furnace, improves clarity and enhances the natural pink tone.
Predicting the final color of geuda sapphires before heat treatment has long been a major challenge in the gem industry. The GJRTI research team has developed an innovative color prediction model based on Raman spectroscopic data, enabling accurate estimation of post-treatment color outcomes.