Origin
5 min readMahenge spinel: hype, hardness, rarity, and how to judge red
Who made Mahenge famous, what is still real on hardness and supply, and how to separate neon Epanko goods from Mahenge-type pinks when you buy in the EU or US.
Buying
Four shipping options after you buy: economy courier, insured post, secured express, or free collection by appointment, plus our handling window and how we declare each parcel.
If you are buying from within Sri Lanka, you choose how the stone reaches you after payment is confirmed. We offer four island-wide options, from a low-cost uninsured courier to fully insured post, secured express, or free collection by appointment. This guide explains each method, typical cost, and transit time.
Price, stone identity, delivery address (or collection), and your preferred shipping method are confirmed in writing on WhatsApp or invoice.
We verify payment, prepare the stone in a padded gem box, and book the service you chose, economy courier, insured post, secured express, or collection by appointment.
After confirmed payment we aim to release the stone to your chosen carrier within 2 business days. Release means handover to the courier or post office only, not delivery to your address.
The parcel is released to Domex, Fardar, Koombiyo, Sri Lanka Post, Pronto Lanka, or SITREK as booked, with tracking where the service provides it.
Transit time depends on the option you selected: typically 2–3 business days for economy courier, 3–5 for insured post, or 24–48 hours for secured express after release.
You receive the parcel at your address, or collect by appointment if we agreed that in advance.
Pick the balance of cost, speed, and insurance that suits your stone. We confirm your choice in WhatsApp before payment.
| Option | Provider | Cost | Transit | Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard courier (uninsured) | Domex, Fardar, or Koombiyo | LKR 400–500 | 2–3 business days after release | Not insured |
| Registered insured parcel | Sri Lanka Post | LKR 800–1,200 (typical) | 3–5 business days after release | Fully insured to declared value |
| Secured premium express | Pronto Lanka or SITREK (valuable cargo) | LKR 2,500–3,500 | 24–48 hours after release | Fully insured, secure vault transport |
| In-person collection | Direct handover | Free | By mutual schedule after handling | Handover at collection |
We present your options clearly before you pay. Example for a LKR 50,000 gemstone:
Please select your preferred shipping method:
Every option ships in a rigid gem box inside a padded outer parcel. Secured express uses the carrier's vault box. We do not mark outer packaging with brand names or gem descriptions on economy runs.
Once payment clears, these are the details we confirm with you in WhatsApp, so release and transit go smoothly.
Confirm your full delivery address and a reachable phone number, or confirm collection by appointment.
Choose your service before payment; we quote the exact fee for your stone's declared value.
For insured post or secured express, confirm the declared value matches the sale price.
Ensure someone can sign for the parcel if the carrier requires it.
Inspect outer packaging before opening; contact us immediately if the parcel looks tampered with.
Returns are handled case by case. We review genuine misrepresentation individually; preference on colour or face-up look alone is not grounds on its own. Returns policy →
Origin
5 min readWho made Mahenge famous, what is still real on hardness and supply, and how to separate neon Epanko goods from Mahenge-type pinks when you buy in the EU or US.
Trade
5 min readSri Lanka's flagship gem fair opens 31 August. How to compare NGJA paperwork, lab reports, and face-up colour when you source in Ratnapura.
Colour
5 min readThe colour is often genuine. The trade name is not universal. Why Sri Lankan, GRS, SSEF, and Gübelin reports use different words for the same sapphire, and what to check in the video before you pay.