GEMS AND MINERALS IN CEYLON. 139
The Cup and Saucer made
from Ceylon kaolin at Sir Wm. Gregory's instance will be on view
henceforward at the Museum. They are pure white and well-finished,
although bearing traces of impurity. The saucer has the following
inscription in red script on the back :—" Made with China clay, sent by
the Governor of Ceylon, by Minton's, Stoke upon Trent, England; March
nth 1879." Three accompanying specimens shew Ceylon China clay fully,
half, and not fired. ______________________
"GEMS IN CEYLON." A Sapphire found in Sabaragamuwa worth from R130,000 to Ri40,000! (From the " Ceylon Observer" June
6, 1881.) In a letter received in Colombo today from Mr. C. M. Hassena
Marikar, the well-known landed proprietor and gem-digger of Rakwana, he
states that he has found a sapphire of the finest quality, weighing
about seven rupees,, (over 52 dwts.) and which he therefore values at
from R130,000 to R140,000 ! Allowing for the natural exaggeration of
the fortunate owner, it is believed in Colombo that Mr. Hassena Marikar
is safe to make. £10,000 out of his find. It is surely time that
European capitalists turned their attention to the Gem-digging industry
and that the Government made the most of their property in this
connection. We have been collecting for our pamphlet all the
information available in every possible quarter about Ceylon Gems as
well as Ceylon Gold, and we find much reason for believing that the
Sabaragamuwa and adjacent districts— at least so far as sapphires,
rubies, cat's-eyes and their inferior congeners are concerned— comprise
one of the richest gem-yielding regions in the world. Sindbad's valley
must be in the neighbourhood of "Ratnapura," "the City of Gems"! Ceylon
indeed seems to be almost the only reliable source of supply now for a
good many precious stones. It is significant of what is thought of the
island in this respect, to find so good a judge and so large a dealer
as Mr. Streeter advertising in all the bestknown London journals,
simply as follows;—
