National News
GSI’s Colored Stone Professional (CSP) Programme Explores New Mine in Sri Lanka
Students visited the Rakwana Gem Deposit, observing mechanised mining, gravel sorting, and recovery of sapphires, chrysoberyl, spinel, and tourmaline
GSI’s Colored Stone Professional (CSP) Diploma programme, recognised for its innovative combination of theoretical knowledge and practical, real-world experiences, recently embarked on an educational mine visit to Sri Lanka’s renowned Rakwana Gem Deposit. As part of the recent CSP student cohort, the visit was organised to provide comprehensive and immersive exposure to the gemstone pipeline, encompassing mining, processing, and trading.

“Experiences such as these are essential for developing a well-rounded understanding of the gemstone industry,” says Ramit Kapur, MD, GSI India. Sri Lanka, with its rich heritage and world-renowned gemstones, provides the perfect backdrop for such learning. By engaging directly with the mining process and following the journey through cutting, processing, and trade, students not only bridge the gap between geological science and commerce but also gain a true appreciation of the value each gemstone carries through its transformation.
As part of the field visit, students explored the Rakwana Gem Deposit in Sri Lanka’s Ratnapura District, a globally recognised source of fine sapphires since 2017. They observed small-scale mechanised mining carried out on agricultural lands, yielding sapphires alongside chrysoberyl, spinel, and tourmaline. The visit also included demonstrations of manual gravel sorting, where skilled miners separate gem-bearing pebbles.
“Classroom learning provides the foundation, but witnessing the journey of gemstones at their source offers an unparalleled perspective,” says Meenu Vyas, Chief Global Gemologist & GSI Education Centre. “Through this visit, students gained first-hand insights into Sri Lanka’s pivotal role in the global gemstone economy and developed a stronger appreciation of the processes that shape a gemstone’s value—from extraction to trade.”

The visit extended to the Karawita Mining Area, where students observed both artisanal and mechanised mining, followed by demonstrations of traditional Geuda sapphire heat treatment in Ratnapura. They also explored the gem markets of Ratnapura and Beruwala, engaging with traders to understand market dynamics, negotiation practices, and global trade systems.
At the Beruwala Gem Cutting Workshop, students witnessed the precision of cutting and polishing sapphires, gaining insight into how cut, clarity, and colour determine value.
GSI’s CSP diploma programme in Jaipur, continues to emphasise the importance of combining theory with intensive practical sessions. Whether students are learning to identify over 1,000 varieties of gemstones, visiting gemstone cutting factories, or learning from industry leaders through guest lectures, the programme provides them with the kind of experience that cannot be learned from textbooks alone.
Through the CSP programme’s experiential approach, students gain a nuanced understanding of the entire gemological process, from mining and cutting to trading. This holistic education not only prepares students to become experts in the field but also shapes them into well-rounded professionals who can drive innovation and ethical practices in the gemstone industry.
National News
Bhima Gold Unveils Ashtalakshmi Coin Collection for Akshaya Tritiya, Blending Devotion with Exquisite Design
A culturally rooted, insight-led launch that reimagines festive gold buying through storytelling, symbolism, and spiritual relevance.
In a move that blends cultural storytelling with product innovation, Bhima Gold has unveiled its Ashtalakshmi Coin Collection for Akshaya Tritiya – positioning gold not just as a purchase, but as a deeply symbolic expression of prosperity, faith, and intent.
Timed with one of India’s most significant gold-buying occasions, Akshaya Tritiya, the launch reflects a deeper cultural shift in consumer behaviour. While the festival continues to drive strong purchase intent, there is a growing preference for meaningful, purpose-led buying experiences over purely transactional consumption.
Aligned with this evolving mindset, the Ashtalakshmi coin collection has been thoughtfully conceptualised to blend tradition with deeper symbolism. Inspired by the eight sacred forms of Goddess Lakshmi, each coin represents a distinct dimension of prosperity—from wealth and nourishment to courage, knowledge, and continuity.

By bringing together Adi Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Santana Lakshmi, Veera Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi and Vidya Lakshmi, the collection reframes gold coins from being a generic festive purchase to a story-driven, culturally immersive product experience – one that resonates across generations and belief systems.
This launch also aligns with Bhima Gold’s larger centenary narrative of “Together Purever,” which focuses on legacy, shared traditions, and evolving consumer meaning. The collection becomes an extension of that philosophy – reinforcing how heritage brands are reinterpreting tradition for a more aware and emotionally driven consumer.
Customers can pre-book their favourite jewellery by paying just 10% in advance & get their jewellery on Akshaya Tritiya at the lowest rate, which gives customers more flexibility and helps them plan their purchases with greater confidence, especially at a time when gold prices are high.
Akshaya Tritiya has traditionally been associated with intention, belief, and the aspiration for prosperity, extending beyond a purely transactional act of buying gold. The Ashtalakshmi Coin Collection has been conceptualised to reflect this deeper cultural and spiritual significance, with each coin designed to carry a distinct meaning and sense of purpose. The initiative also aligns with evolving consumer preferences, where there is a noticeable shift towards jewellery that offers emotional, cultural, and spiritual resonance in addition to intrinsic value.
With gold prices near record highs and consumer sentiment becoming more considered, Bhima’s Ashtalakshmi Coin Collection signals a broader shift in the category — from price-led promotions to meaning-led engagement, where design, storytelling, and cultural relevance drive both differentiation and demand.
As legacy brands navigate a new era of conscious consumption, Bhima Gold’s latest offering highlights how tradition can be reimagined as experience, making gold buying not just an act of investment, but an expression of identity and belief.
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