Buying on ManikPola
How to buy a Sri Lankan gemstone from eight thousand kilometres away without losing sleep over it.
Registering interest is not buying
When you submit an enquiry on a listing, nothing is committed. You are opening a conversation with the broker. We confirm the stone is still available, answer your questions, arrange extra photographs or video, and negotiate with the seller on your behalf. Only when you are satisfied — and usually after independent testing — does money change hands.
Read the listing properly
Treatment
The great majority of sapphire on the world market is heat treated, and that is entirely normal and accepted. Unheated stones of comparable quality carry a substantial premium. What matters is that the treatment is declared. Our listings must state it; where a seller cannot confirm it, the listing says "unknown" rather than guessing in the seller's favour.
Certification
A report from GIA, SSEF, Gübelin, AIGS, GRS or the Sri Lankan NGJA tells you what a stone is and what has been done to it. It does not tell you what it is worth. For a significant purchase, always ask for a report — and if the listing does not have one, ask us to arrange it. We will, in Colombo, before you pay.
Colour and photographs
Colour is the single largest driver of value in coloured stone, and the hardest thing to photograph honestly. Ask for video under two light sources — daylight and incandescent — before committing to any expensive stone. Colour-change and colour-shift material especially must be seen in motion.
Making an offer
Most sellers here expect to negotiate; the listing shows whether the price is negotiable. A serious offer with a clear reason behind it does far better than a lowball. If you would rather not name a figure, leave the offer field blank and ask for the seller's best price.
Payment, inspection and delivery
- Verification first. Testing happens before payment, not after.
- Payment is held. Funds are secured by the broker, not released to the seller on trust.
- Insured shipping. Tracked courier with full export documentation from Sri Lanka.
- Acceptance. The seller is paid once you have received the stone and confirmed it matches.
- Duties. Import duty and local taxes in your country are your responsibility — check them before you commit.
Can't find what you want?
Tell us the variety, size range, colour and budget. We work with sellers across every Sri Lankan gem district and can usually source specific material within a few weeks — including matched pairs and calibrated lots for setting.