About us
Precision Lapidaries Circa 1888
With over 200 years of gem mining Ceylon history behind him, founder, adventurer and pioneer Mohamed Usuff Mohamed Salie AKA Prince MUM Salie born in 1865 in the port city of Galle to a family of skilled artisan lapidarists embarked on an audacious journey circa 1885, sailing on a ship from Galle to Melbourne, Australia that would take the iconic Ceylon sapphire from mine to markets of the world.
Five generations on, we continue to stay true to our founder’s passion for innovation, precision and our ethical artisanal heritage.
Ceylon Sapphires of all colours
We are among the largest exporters of calibrated and single-piece Ceylon sapphires to the world and supply some of the largest sapphire distributors globally.
Board of Directors
Faiq Rehan Salie
Managing Director
Bazeer Cassim
Director
Sabieha Rehan
International Marketing
Tahera Rehan
Marketing Communications
Material
Sourcing
Our trained rough buyers source directly from independent, artisan local miners and rough dealers. We also purchase ethically sourced rough stones from Madagascar and African countries based on demand.
Attention to key aspects of quality begins from the sourcing stage to ensure we consistently meet the demands of our discerning clientele.
Precision
Cutting
Based in Colombo, our state-of-the-art facility has made us known internationally for producing the highest quality cuts. We also specialise in non-standard cuts that cater to a niche clientele and are renowned for producing highly sought-after, trending and complex cuts.
Employing both skill and sophisticated technology of our 100-member strong certified master cutters produce some of the finest gems that adorn the creations of several leading international designer jewellery brands, collectors and investors.
Our international cutting exceeds the required industry benchmarks, and we have been informally named the 'Faiq Cut,' which sets the standard for precision cutting that other lapidaries are expected to come close to.
Precision
Cutting
Based in Colombo, our state-of-the-art facility has made us known internationally for producing the highest quality cuts.
Employing both skill and sophisticated technology our 150-member strong certified master cutters produce some of the finest gems that adorn the creations of several leading international designer jewellery brands.
Experience
The Founder and Managing Director, Faiq Rehan Salie, is credited with transforming the company into a global leader in producing precision-cut calibrated sapphires. His exceptional skills in calibrated diamond cutting, which he acquired during his internship at his uncle Nilam Alawdeen’s diamond-cutting factory in Sri Lanka, were adapted to Ceylon sapphires, producing sapphires that meet the strictest tolerances and are worthy of the finest jewel houses in the world.
Agility
We acknowledge that it is essential for businesses to remain agile and adapt to the needs and trends of the industry to stay competitive and relevant. With our five generations of experience and commitment to staying up-to-date with advancements in lapidary technology, we have become experts in precision-cutting and calibrating high-demand gemstones like Sapphires, Emeralds, and Rubies.
Innovation
Innovation has played a crucial role in the success of Precision Lapidaries. The company has introduced new technologies and techniques to improve the precision, efficiency, and quality of gem cutting. We remain committed to staying ahead of the needs of our clients and the industry by continuously honing our cutting skills. This dedication to innovation and excellence has led the company to achieve remarkable success and stay true to the founder’s spirit of innovation and daring.
Track Record
We have a proud history of excellence that spans five generations. Our numerous accreditations and honors are only matched by the praise we receive from our loyal customers, who include some of the most prestigious jewelers in Europe and the United States of America.
Shows and Fairs 2024
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Honours and Accreditation
International Coloured Stone Association (ICA)
Member since 2005
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
Our lapidary is one of the few featured on Gemological Institute of America's (GIA) website, demonstrating our precise calibration, cutting and polishing process.
National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) of Sri Lanka
In 2004 the National Achiever Award was presented to Natural Sapphires Ceylon Pvt Ltd, an associate company of Precision Lapidaries, for its contribution to the national economy.
Sri Lanka Export Development Board
Presidential Export Awards 2017/2018 – amongst the leading companies associated with the Highest Foreign Exchange Earners in the Gem Sector.
