CITY OF GEMS
The gem industry of Ceylon is worldfamous. Its centre is in Ratnapura — the City of Gems' —where systematic gemming is mainly carried out by
Moors. A large variety of precious stones' found there included rubies, sapphires, spinels, chrysobcls, alexandritcs, beryls, topazes, catseyes, tourmalines, zicons, garnets, amethysts, and moonstones. Many stories of stupendous jewels seen in Ceylon, have fbeen told by travellers throughout the ages. One.concerns a.ruby which was | elevated in the seventh century on the spire of a. temple at Anuradhapura, whence its radiance could be seen for a considerable distance. Another ruby belonging to the King of Ceylon in the thirteenth century is reputed to have been "a span in length, the thickness of a man's arm."
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19340409.2.21
Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 83, 9 April 1934, Page 3
Word Count
121CITY OF GEMS Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 83, 9 April 1934, Page 3
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