Ceylon Stones - Together Journal

Ceylon Stones is quietly redefining the language of fine gemstone jewellery.

Founded in Sydney by award-winning gemmologist Dhanu, the fine jewellery house is known for its elegant, considered approach to rare coloured gemstones and bespoke design. With over two decades of experience, a global sourcing network and deep roots in both Sri Lanka and Australia, Dhanu brings a thoughtful balance of heritage, expertise and modern refinement.

At Ceylon Stones, the philosophy is simple: no sales tactics, just honest advice and a shared mission to create jewellery with lasting meaning. The result is a body of work that celebrates personal stories through exceptional stones and timeless craftsmanship. In this conversation, Dhanu shares his insights into design, sourcing, and what clients are seeking in today’s world of modern heirlooms.

What inspired the founding of Ceylon Stones and your focus on rare coloured gemstones?

Ceylon Stones is a heartfelt extension of my lifelong love for gems and jewels – a love deeply rooted in my heritage. I grew up surrounded by the mystique and beauty of gems in Sri Lanka, or Ceylon, the ancient island renowned for its enduring legacy as a source for exceptional blue Sapphires (over 2000 years!). One of my fondest childhood memories was discovering a hidden box of Sapphires in my grandmother’s cupboard as a four-year-old. To me, rare natural coloured gemstones represent the perfect culmination of beauty, rarity, art, and science.

I found that the general experience of understanding and sourcing rare natural coloured stones and then creating jewellery that honours their beauty is a daunting experience for most people.

I envisioned a journey where finding a beautiful, rare coloured gemstone was an exciting and joyous experience, not just another transaction. I wanted to create jewellery that was not only beautiful, but truly unique and rare; pieces that capture the essence of the gem and the wearer in all its singular splendour.

This led to the creation of Ceylon Stones, centred on two principles. 1. Exceptional client experience and 2. Beautiful, rare coloured stones.

We are a fine jeweller dedicated to celebrating the extraordinary allure of rare coloured stones and crafting a jewel that resonates with each of our clients’ stories.

Every piece we create is a tribute to these exceptional natural stones and the personal stories they will come to embody.

How would you describe your overall approach to jewellery design?

Our approach to jewellery design is rooted in creating beauty that resonates on a deep, instinctual and individual level. We believe that true beauty isn’t just about momentary admiration or adhering to societal norms – it is a primal, inspirational, and enduring emotional experience capable of evoking a sense of divine elevation.

At the heart of our process is a commitment to the client experience. Every bespoke piece is a collaborative exploration that reflects the unique life story, love story and personality of our clients. Whether we are pursuing a bold, unconventional statement or embracing the refined elegance of minimalism, our designs are always tailored to ensure that our clients leave with a piece that not only adorns them but also speaks to their soul.

My creative tapestry is woven from my own life experiences and a love for art and architecture across multiple cultures and eras. I draw inspiration from the vibrant, bold traditions of my Ceylonese heritage, the expressive spontaneity of abstract expressionism, and the thoughtful harmony evident in the work of Tropical Modernist architects like Geoffrey Bawa. The timeless appeal of Art Deco – with its geometrical precision, symmetry, and bold lines – further fuels my creative vision, infusing each design with a blend of historical richness and modern beauty.

What draws you to work with stones like Sapphires, Alexandrites, and other rare coloured gems?

What inspires us is a profound appreciation for beauty, genuine rarity, and the feeling of divine elevation when encountering an exceptional gem. Like exceptional art, rare, coloured gems can create transcendental experiences – moments that evoke the vastness, poetry, and magic of life. Each encounter with these stones is deeply personal, expressing an intimate connection that is as unique as the individual who beholds them.

While Diamonds hold a timeless allure and remain a cherished element of fine jewellery, today’s market is saturated with lab-grown stones, diluting the essence of rarity. In contrast, exceptional natural coloured gems – such as the colour changing Alexandrite (known as Emerald by day, Ruby by night), or the electric blue Cobalt Spinel, or the luscious pink Sapphire – are true rare treasures, born in Earth by fortuitous coming together of elements over millions of years ago, and bear witness to Earth’s history.

There’s an ineffable feeling of being elevated, almost as if transported beyond oneself, when encountering an extraordinary gem. I vividly remember my first experience with a natural colour-changing Alexandrite – a moment so profound that it has strongly shaped my perspective on beauty and the power of nature. Each rare stone not only enhances the allure of our jewellery but also serves as a timeless reminder of life’s intricate wonder.

How do you ensure the gemstones you use are responsibly and ethically sourced?

At the heart of our brand is an unwavering commitment to responsible and conscious sourcing. Every gemstone we use is sourced with the utmost care from trusted and rigorously vetted suppliers.

In an industry where challenges abound, we maintain a diligent process: we personally interview every supplier, scrutinise their trade history, trade licences and verify the origin of their gems to the extent possible. Each significant gemstone is independently certified by a reputable third-party laboratory, ensuring its provenance meets our expectations.

We frequently travel to Sri Lanka and conduct face-to-face meetings with our suppliers to solidify these relationships and uphold transparency. Beyond the stones themselves, we are equally dedicated to fairness throughout our supply chain. Every individual, from the gem dealer to our skilled jewellers, is compensated well above market standards. We believe that ensuring fair wages is not just a practice, but a non-negotiable principle that honours the families and communities behind each gemstone and jewel.

What does the journey of creating a bespoke piece with Ceylon Stones typically look like?

Our bespoke design process is entirely collaborative and client-driven, ensuring that each creation reflects the essence of our client’s personal story.

The creation journey begins with a singular, defining moment: discovering the perfect centrepiece gemstone that resonates deeply with our client. We believe that every piece of jewellery is meant to inspire joy, beauty, wonder, and a sense of divine elevation. That’s why our first – and non-negotiable – step is ensuring our clients find a gem they truly love; without that connection, we simply don’t move forward.

We hold an extensive collection of rare natural coloured stones on hand. Our clients often see 50-100+ heirloom-grade natural gems with colours across the full spectrum of the rainbow. Our online catalogue holds part of this collection. We can custom-source gems on demand across our extensive, trusted network, too.

Once the centrepiece is chosen, we embark on a collaborative exploration of personal story, style and design philosophy. We take the mindset and role of a trusted advisor and champion for our client, translating their vision into a unique personal jewel. As part of our detailed design process, we begin with sketches that capture the overall concept, followed by comprehensive design renders that illustrate the final piece. This ensures our clients have full transparency of what to expect, giving them confidence and excitement at every step. We still leave a lot of magic to the end with the first unboxing!

How do you help clients infuse personal meaning into the jewellery you design for them?

For us, every piece of jewellery begins with a dialogue – a conversation about our client’s love stories, life stories and the moments that have shaped who they are. We believe that jewellery, much like art, has the power to evoke deep emotion and timeless beauty.

Whether it’s through the choice of the centre stone itself, or design choices around the overall aesthetic, or intricate details around basket, band and setting, or hidden birthstones, or meaningful motifs or engravings, each detail is thoughtfully curated to transform a design into an intimate keepsake that speaks directly to our client’s heart. This tailored, collaborative approach ensures that for our clients, jewellery isn’t merely an accessory – it’s a celebratory extension of their life story.

For instance, one of our couples wanted to create an engagement ring that was not only a symbol of their love but also embodied the essence of a White Lotus, which had deep personal significance to them. Together, we envisioned a ring that would capture this vision. We custom-cut a natural white Sapphire to mimic the colour, softness and grace of a Lotus. Building on this theme, we designed a band with delicate vines embedded with marquise cut, luscious green Tsavorites – serving as a symbol of wisdom and conscious pairing of two into one.

Are you seeing any shifts in what clients are seeking when it comes to gemstone jewellery?

Absolutely. We’re noticing a distinct shift: our discerning clients are increasingly seeking gemstones that are genuinely rare, heirloom quality, and exude exceptional character.

Beyond the timeless shades of ‘Ceylon Blues’, our clients are gravitating toward natural stones that are either ultra rare or have vibrant rare hues or have unique features like colour change, colour partitions or one-of-a-kind cuts.

For example, natural Alexandrites are rapidly increasing in popularity. Alexandrites display a magical colour change from Green in daylight to Orange or Purple or Red in warm light. These gems are ultra-rare and exceptional gems for an heirloom engagement ring. But the supply of Alexandrites is practically non-existent – we usually see 1 Alexandrite for every 1000-2000 Sapphires we see. We are proud to be one of the very few jewellers who actively search, buy and hold a collection of natural Alexandrites.

Beyond Alexandrites, rare and beautiful gems like Padparadscha Sapphires, pink Sapphires, green Tsavorites, glowing reddish pink Spinels and neon blue Paraiba Tourmalines are coming to the fore.

What’s next for Ceylon Stones—any exciting plans, projects, or creative directions on the horizon?

In the coming 3 to 6 months, we are focusing on two projects that underscore our commitment to enduring rarity, beauty and legacy.

One of One:
A collection of singular masterpieces, each created only once and never to be repeated. Just as no two life or love stories are the same, each jewel in this collection will be entirely unique, featuring exceptional coloured gemstones of rare beauty.

From mesmerising colour-change stones to dramatic partitions and extraordinary hues, every gem will be chosen for its unparalleled character. Whether through striking design or remarkable rarity, each piece is a celebration of individuality, crafted from a deep love of beauty, rarity, and enduring legacy.

These are true heirlooms designed to inspire awe and destined to mark life’s most precious moments with grace and exclusivity.

Hand Engraved Men’s Rings:
Men’s jewellery is experiencing a bold renaissance. Our new collection will reimagine the classic signet ring with a modern, purpose-driven design.

Carefully curated, each ring will be crafted only in precious metal, adorned with a rare coloured gem and will feature exquisite hand engraving and motifs that speak to character and purpose. These pieces are again one of a kind. Designed to be more than accessories. They will be powerful symbols of identity, legacy and purpose from the streets to the boardroom.

Here is a sneak peek of the first in this collection. A platinum signet ring with 22K gold inlays and an ultra-rare electric cobalt blue Spinel. Completely hand-sculpted, the centre features a dragon and phoenix in yin-yang formation, and the sides feature a blooming cherry blossom tree and an eternal mountain with a waterfall. Symbolising the union and balance of the yin and yang within us and embracing life in all its beauty and moments.