J. A. De Silva & Company Pvt Ltd claims the title ‘The Best Jewellery Exporter (Diamond)’ at Presidential Awards 2018
Gradually, thanks to Grand Hotel being the cynosure of the British planters, J. A. De Silva & Company emerged as a renowned jeweller to tourists and sophisticated ladies of planters. Many Royalties who visited the island had the courtesy to step into J. A
The Silver Jubilee Presidential Awards ceremony, commemorating 25 years of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority was held in November 2018, at Shangri la Hotel, Colombo. J. A. De Silva & Company Pvt Limited, a well known jeweller and gem merchant was awarded as the ‘The Best Jewellery Exporter’ under the category of Diamond at this ceremony.
J. A. De Silva & Company Pvt Limited has been serving in the field of export since last 20 years. A Director of the company shared with us the history and the story behind this successful company.
Their grandfather, a craftsman with inborn unique talent for art and crafts, Mr. J. A. Davith de Silva, was the founder of this company. He was a landed proprietor and a jeweller who has gained reputation in down south Elliot Road, Galle. Making his dream a reality, he launched his business venture, small jewellery outlet in Kandy close to the historic lake.
This young craftsman gradually caught the attention of Europeans and became popular among the Europeans, British Agency Houses and Plantation companies.
He was one of the pioneers to introduce non traditional items like jewellery to the foreign market as well as to the tourist trade. Mr. Davith de Silva has contributed immensely to promote handmade exquisite jewellery of Sri Lanka.
With being inspired by the support and demand received by the Europeans, this enthusiastic talented trader started to spread wings and expanded his business activities.
His target location was Nuwara Eliya which is the heart of the plantation sector and approaching this city dominated by the European planters at that time, as a modest local trader has indeed been a great challenge. But the well dressed local trader equipped with a suitcase filled with uniquely designed jewellery of excellent quality faced the challenges and won the hearts of the customers.
Fascinated by this mobile jeweller and his beautiful gem-studded jewellery with the remarkable personal touch, planters invited him to visit their estate bungalows and have the items displayed. Later, he was per- mitted to carry out his business in the lobby of the famous Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya.
In 1895, he set up a Jewellery outlet which was upgraded after some time to a shop within the premises of the hotel as J. A. De Silva & company.
Gradually, thanks to Grand Hotel being the cynosure of the British planters, J. A. De Silva & Company emerged as a renowned jeweller to tourists and sophisticated ladies of planters. Many Royalties who visited the island had the courtesy to step into J. A. De Silva & Company for their purchases in jewellery. The Kaiser of Germany, Marshall Tito of Yugoslavia, Lord and Lady Mountbatten, the Queen of England are a few to mention who have patronized their headquarters.
A certificate has also been issued to J. A. De Silva as a foremost jeweller.
Thus, the small jewellery shop which was established at the grassroot level, 123 years ago is now the J. A. de Silva and Company Pvt Limited with an annual turnover of millions of American dollars. It is currently run by a board of four working directors who are of the third generation descendants of Mr de Silva.In addition, at present, they possess outlets in Grand Hotel Road, Araliya Hotel in Nuwara Eliya, Dalada veediya Kandy and in Liberty Plaza Colombo. Their own creative staff design the exquisite jewellery that are of high quality. The hand made jewellery in J. A. De Silva & Company, has a high demand in the international market and they are mainly exported to United States of America.
These breath taking exquisite jewellery for the designer collection are designed by a well known designer in USA. Thus some world famous American celebrities are among the customers.
They cater wide range of market, from most expensive diamond-studded jewellery with expensive colored genuine gems to less expensive semiprecious stone studded jewellery.
Rubies ranging from pink to deep crimson, sapphires ranging from blue, yellow, white, green, purple and orange, Sri Lankan named “padparadscha” are among their specialities.
All these exclusive, high quality gems are available in J. A. De Silva & Company Pvt Ltd.
Not only do they cut and polish the gems to customers’ specifications, they also maintain a large collection of stones of very high value.
In addition to jewellery made with precious stones and diamonds with precious metal, they manufacture jewellery with semi-precious aquamarine, amethyst, moonstone, spinel, topaz and zircon.
J. A. De Silva & Company Pvt Ltd has blossomed to a reputed successful company during the past 123 years and being the ‘The Best Jewellery Exporter (Diamond)’ is the proof.
On being awarded with this honour, the company extends their heartiest gratitude to their goldsmiths and support staff whose dedication and support directed the whole company towards a platform of success and this award would not have been possible if not for their efforts.
Contributing to the country’s economy, they will pursue to win the international market with their modern expertise, capabilities and the dedication in the years to come.
Their grandfather, a craftsman with inborn unique talent for art and crafts, Mr. J. A. Davith de Silva, was the founder of this company. He was a landed proprietor and a jeweller who has gained reputation in down south Elliot Road, Galle. Making his dream a reality, he launched his business venture, small jewellery outlet in Kandy close to the historic lake.