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| Sunday, 2 November 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Shanthi Wimalaratna: Giving a local touch to Australian pearl trade Pearls, long known as the queen of gems, will never go out of fashion and its value is based on the shape, size and lustre without blemishes.
The bigger the pearl and no blemishes, the higher the value it will fetch, said Shanthi Wimalaratna, the owner of Universal Gems Pty Ltd, the pearl and gem specialist since 1887. Sri Lankan born Wimalaratna, son of late Sam Wimalaratna, is domiciled in Australia with roots to a family of jewellers, gems and pearls. His maternal grandfather, T.B. Ellie, a jeweller hailing from Galle migrated to Australia and was known as the 'Pearl Surgeon' due to his excellent craftsmanship which became famous throughout the world. Wimalaratna said: "At all times, I try to highlight the pearl when making a piece of jewellery and not the craftsmanship, as heavy craftsmanship overpowers the value of a fine pearl".
"I never compromise on quality or value, but if a customer makes a request, I will advise them and find the right piece of jewellery as a gesture of goodwill. "Even if I keep a fine piece of jewellery for several years, it will not depreciate in value over the years since an interested buyer will pay the correct price for such a piece. I have always been fair in valuing my jewellery." Customers "Most clients who have purchased pearl jewellery from us have been our customers for generations. Therefore I will maintain my reputation at any cost," he assured. He has customers in Sri Lanka, Australia, Hong Kong, USA, Singapore, Taiwan and Indonesia and Europe. His company participates in all international fairs and exhibitions related to gems, jewellery and pearls. In Sri Lanka, he supplies jewellery and pearls to leading Colombo jewellers and also participates in the Facets exhibition annually. Auctions He said: "Since our family has been in the business since 1887, we have access to the best international pearl auctions held globally. In most instances, only about 60-70 people from major cities of the world, who dominate the trade, are invited to these auctions." In Australia, 70 per cent of the South Sea Pearl market is dominated by one family while the country has about 25 pearl farms. History
Speaking of the history of pearls, he said that there are three varieties of pearls - South Sea Pearls, Akoya Pearls and Fresh Water Pearls. He said: "After Koikichi Mikimoto learnt the technique of culturing pearls, gone are the days of natural pearl farming". Fresh water pearls are grown inside muscle shell oysters and the harvest can be gathered within a period of six months. The pearls are quite small, but each oyster will have around 50 pearls inside them. They are bleached and treated with colour enhancements. Akoya pearls grown in farms in Japan are small. The highest priced are the South Sea Pearls, which are grown in pearl farms in the deep seas in countries such as Australia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Tahiti and New Guinea. "The life span of an oyster is 30 years, but a healthy oyster will produce pearls for about 10 years. To culture a pearl inside an oyster, it takes about two years and is a tedious and expensive task. "The pearls come in natural colours, but it takes 10 or more years to match a fine string of pearls for a necklace." Wimalaratna said: "We are privileged to be able to access the best pearls from the world's largest producer auctions and guarantee that the pearls are not treated and are of natural colour and lustre". |
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