[lulu's Diary] My Origins in Sri Lanka, the Gemstone Country

"Reaching the Origin in Sri Lanka, the Land of Gems"

 

 

My trip to Sri Lanka, which can be called one of the sacred lands of gemstones, was a continuous series of dense experiences that are too numerous to write about.

Amidst the dizzying heat of strong sunshine and humidity, I traveled through nature from mountains to the sea.

What I found after traversing Sri Lanka in search of gems felt like returning to my origins.

 

 

ーGems are precious stones

What left the deepest impression on me during the trip was visiting a mining site, the place where gems begin, which had been a long-time dream of mine.

At the Ratnapura mine, miners descend into deep, dizzying holes without safety ropes to extract gems from underground.

As the air thins in the narrow underground spaces, fresh air is pumped into the mining holes for the miners.

A constant stream of large volumes of water, pumped from the river, is used to wash away the unwanted earth and sand produced during mining.

It felt as though I was witnessing the first step in a collaborative effort with the Earth to create gems: unearthing rough stones created by nature, with the help of nature's power.

Seeing firsthand that the Earth produces gems and that there are people risking their lives to mine them brought an indescribable sense of emotion and gratitude that brought tears to my eyes.

 

 

And the many closed mines also left a strong impression on me.

Despite the vast amount of land, seeing that there were many places where mining was no longer possible made me strongly realize that gems are a finite resource.

It was precisely because I had seen the beautiful nature that nurtures gems and the people who live there that I felt as if gems were filled with invisible footprints.

The history of the Earth, nature, and the thoughts and efforts of various people – these are all condensed into a single precious crystal, which is a gemstone.

Perhaps something in the history that a gemstone has walked, for some reason, touches our hearts.

 

 

ーFrom Stone to Gem

Shifting from the origin of gems, I was also surprised by the gem market where they are distributed.

I naively thought that I could see various gems and get them at reasonable prices at the market closest to the production area, but I quickly realized how mistaken I was.

Being a functioning production area and being a functioning market are different things, and I reaffirmed that there are specific places and professionals for gem distribution.

This is not limited to distribution; there are roles such as mining, polishing, selling, and sales, and within each of these, there are further subdivisions and people involved.

It was precisely because I was directly involved with the various people who work with gemstones that I strongly felt that no role is dispensable for a gemstone to be complete, and that each role is equally important and valuable.

Gems are created through a relay of people, and my gratitude for them deepened even further.

 

 

ーReaching the origin that was always here

It has been about a year since I became a member of GemTreeJapan, and in addition to significant changes in my own life, I have also struggled with doubts and conflicts precisely because I originally loved gems.

Amidst all this, I encountered the people of Sri Lanka living freely and expressing themselves, the untouched beauty of nature, and a variety of unique gemstones.

Through my travels, as I experienced many things in their natural state, the thought that emerged was, "It's okay for both gems and people to be as they are."

I believe it was precisely because I struggled, toiled, and went through so much that I was able to find that origin right beneath my feet and feel it so honestly.

And what surprised me when I looked back on my trip was that it had commonalities with GemTreeJapan's works.

Although the works appear beautiful and perfect, in terms of maximizing the inherent charm of gemstones, they also feel like natural existences.

Furthermore, as a gem lover myself, I have been given energy, healing, and solace by many gemstones over the years.

When I see the glittering gems in my hand, they seem to gently remind me, "You are fine just as you are."

 

It was a journey that strongly impressed upon me that gems are precious stones, and it significantly changed how I view and engage with them.

Gems are not just rare and beautiful; they touch something within our hearts and continue to sparkle there, don't they?

Beyond beautiful creations, I hope to deliver "something that touches the heart."

 

GemTreeJapan
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