The Gemstone Detective: Buying Gemstones and Jewellery in Sri Lanka

By Kim Rix

This travel guide is for anyone considering a trip to the beautiful country of Sri Lanka in search of a special memory to treasure forever. Written by Kim Rix, a gemmologist (GIA) and professional photographer who has travelled to more than 50 countries, this unique book unveils how you can become a `Gemstone Detective' on your next adventur

• Language: English
• Publisher: Filament Publishing
• Release date: Oct 4, 2018
• ISBN: 9781912635405

Kim Rix

Kim Rix is a professional photographer and gemmologist (GIA). Based in London where she lives with her husband, Kim travels extensively and has gathered a vast amount of the best local knowledge from her world-wide contacts.

Book preview

The rock fortress, Sigiriya. There are 1200 steps to climb! © Kim Rix

Why you need this book

If you are reading this book, the chances are that you are on holiday – or planning one – in Sri Lanka. Lucky you! Sri Lanka is such a beautiful country. I am in love with the people, the culture, the food, and the incredible scenery. And, of course, I am in love with its gems.

This book is about buying sapphires. Whether you want to buy a ready-made piece of jewellery or a gemstone on its own, this is the book you need to read. It is a ‘how to’ guide for tourists – for people with no or little knowledge about gemstones or sapphires. I have written it to save you time and heartache.

It could also save you money – international prices can be 50-300% higher than Sri Lankan prices!

Much more than that, though, I want you to experience the fun and sheer romance of buying a beautiful gem abroad. Perhaps you are hoping to treat yourself or a loved one to an extra-special souvenir. Perhaps you are celebrating an anniversary or honeymoon. Perhaps you are even planning to pop the question. Whatever your reason, what could be more meaningful than buying your gemstone in the very country whose earth formed it? What an incredible way to remember a wonderful trip!

I want to share, in a simple and positive way, my experience and knowledge – inside knowledge that you won’t easily find by yourself. I want you to feel confident about buying a gem in a foreign country, and I want you to have a good experience doing so.

The Internet is awash with confusing information. It’s very hard to find everything you really need to know – all the tips and tricks to help you avoid the scams.

I sincerely hope that my book will give you the vital information you need before making your purchase. In it, I disclose what the travelguide books and websites don’t tell you.

I’ll reveal:

Who to trust

What to look for

When to walk away

Where to buy

Why you need to be savvy

A mine at the side of the road © Kim Rix

What makes me an expert?

It has taken hard work, a lot of travel and a few calculated risks to gain the knowledge I’m going to share with you. Everything in this book is based on personal experience and local expertise.

The letters after my name are testament to my scientific and technical knowledge. I’m a skilled gemmologist with qualifications from the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) – the world’s leading authority on gemstones. However, it’s my extensive global travel and research that will make this book so useful to you.

I’ve acquired gemstones from all over the world and take every opportunity to expand my local knowledge along with my collection. I don’t simply buy for myself – I also source gemstones on behalf of private customers. In the past ten years alone, I have visited over 50 countries.

My list of colleagues, friends, and genuinely reliable contacts around the world is now large enough to enable me to get in amongst the hustle and bustle of the global gem trading community, to bring you the best local tips for buying in many different countries.

I also hope that writing this book will ultimately benefit the good people of Sri Lanka. I am a great believer in giving back! A famous Chinese proverb advises: ‘if you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else.’ I want my book to help you find your perfect gem at the right price. I also sincerely hope that it helps to boost Sri Lanka’s small gem-trading businesses: the exceptionally hard-working miners, dealers and jewellers who, like all of us, are trying to make a living in challenging times.

Don’t learn the hard way!

My extensive experience as a buyer abroad made me realise just how much this book needed writing. Over the years, I’ve certainly encountered a scam or two.

Some years ago, I went on holiday to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt – a destination notorious for