Frequently Asked Questions — Ruhuna Gemstones Brisbane

We don't operate a traditional retail storefront — and this is a deliberate choice. By working exclusively through private consultation, we direct every resource into acquiring and creating exceptional quality gemstones and jewellery rather than maintaining a retail showroom. The result is better stones, better craft and a more personal experience than a shop floor can offer.

For clients in Brisbane, we arrange private in-person viewings in the CBD or another secure professional setting — intimate, unhurried and entirely focused on you. For clients interstate or overseas, we offer scheduled video consultations via Zoom, where we showcase stones in high resolution, walk through design concepts and answer every question face to face.

To arrange a consultation, book directly here.

Ruhuna Gemstones was founded by Australian-born Sri Lankans with deep roots in the island's ancient gemstone tradition. The name Ruhuna comes from the southern province of Sri Lanka — the heartland of Ceylon sapphire mining — and reflects the personal connection between our founders and the stones they source.

We exist because we believe fine jewellery should carry a genuine story — of geological formation, ethical sourcing and considered craft. Every stone we offer is selected by hand, every piece made to order in Brisbane. Nothing is mass produced. Nothing is arbitrary. Read more about who we are on our story page.

Yes — and we do so regularly. Distance has never been a barrier to creating something exceptional together.

All consultations, stone viewings and design discussions take place via scheduled Zoom calls, where we share high-resolution images, videos and design files face to face regardless of your location. Once your piece is in creation, we keep you informed throughout — from stone setting to final polish — with regular updates, images and direct communication.

Completed pieces are shipped internationally via fully insured, secure courier. Your finished ring arrives as carefully as it was made.

Every gemstone we offer is natural — formed in the earth over millions of years, mined by hand and selected for its individual character. We do not offer synthetic or lab-grown alternatives. Natural origin is non-negotiable at Ruhuna.

The stones you will find in our collection are Ceylon sapphires from the ancient gemfields of Sri Lanka, Australian sapphires from Queensland and New South Wales, and other natural precious stones selected with the same standard of care. Each one unrepeatable by nature.

Yes. Ethical sourcing is not a marketing position for us — it is a condition of how we operate. We work with a small, trusted network of suppliers and cutters who adhere to strict ethical labour and environmental standards, and we conduct thorough due diligence on every source in our supply chain.

Our Australian sapphires are mined domestically under Australian environmental and labour standards with a clear, verifiable chain of custody. Our Ceylon sapphires are sourced directly through longstanding relationships with trusted miners and cutters in Sri Lanka. Every stone we offer is conflict-free and responsibly handled from mine to Brisbane.

Treatment status is always clearly disclosed in every product description — there are no surprises at Ruhuna. We primarily source and showcase unheated stones, which represent the highest tier of the sapphire market. An unheated sapphire with fine natural colour is rarer, more valuable and more sought-after than equivalent heated material.

That said, we understand that preferences vary. Heating is a traditional, permanent practice used to enhance a stone's natural colour, and heated sapphires remain 100% natural gemstones created by the earth. Where a client's specific requirements — colour, size, budget or origin — are better served by heated material, we can source accordingly. We will always give you the complete picture so you can make the right decision for you.

No. Ruhuna exists to celebrate what the earth produces — stones formed over billions of years under immense pressure and heat, each one carrying a geological story that cannot be replicated in a laboratory.

The subtle colour zoning, the crystalline inclusions, the variations that make a natural sapphire uniquely itself — these are not imperfections. They are the fingerprints of nature. That irreplaceability is precisely what makes a natural gemstone worth owning, wearing and passing down. Lab-grown stones have no place in that story.

This is one of our specialities. Our website shows only a selection of what we have access to — if you have a specific colour, origin, size, shape or quality in mind, tell us and we will find it.

Through our network of trusted miners, cutters and suppliers across Sri Lanka, Australia and beyond, we source stones that aren't publicly listed. We treat every sourcing request as a personal mission — presenting you with a curated selection of stones that meet your specifications precisely, each one ethically sourced and independently verified. Book a consultation to begin.

All Ruhuna pieces are made in 18ct gold — yellow, white or rose — or platinum. We work exclusively in 18ct because it represents the optimal balance between gold purity and practical durability for daily wear. It is the standard of fine jewellery in Australia and internationally, and the metal that best honours the quality of the natural sapphires it holds.

18ct yellow gold is our signature choice — the warm tone creates a particularly beautiful relationship with blue, teal and pink sapphires, and connects the piece to the centuries-old tradition of Ceylon sapphire jewellery. White gold and platinum suit those who prefer a cooler, more contemporary aesthetic. Rose gold pairs beautifully with pink and padparadscha sapphires in particular.

All metal choices are available across our Signature Creations and bespoke commission services.

Yes. Every individually listed stone in our collection is accompanied by an independent certificate from a recognised gemological laboratory — GIA, Gübelin, SSEF or equivalent — confirming natural origin, treatment status, carat weight, colour and clarity. For unheated stones in particular, this certification is essential documentation that adds measurable, verifiable value to your purchase.

Smaller accent stones used in ready-to-wear pieces are not individually certified but are covered under our general quality guarantee. If you require individual certification for any stone, we can arrange this — simply let us know at the time of purchase or during your consultation.

Yes — we can arrange a formal independent valuation for insurance purposes with any purchase. The valuation is conducted by a qualified, independent third-party valuer and reflects the estimated retail replacement value of your piece.

Given the specialised nature of the service, a valuation is provided at an additional cost. If you require one, please let us know at the time of purchase or during your initial consultation so we can schedule it into your order timeline.

Signature Creations is our made-to-order process for pairing a natural sapphire with one of our handcrafted settings. It follows three steps.

First, you select your stone from our curated collection — or we source one specifically for you. Second, you choose your setting from our Signature range — ring or necklace, metal choice, any modifications. Third, we handcraft your piece in Brisbane to hold your specific stone to its exact dimensions, and deliver it to you within four to six weeks.

Every Signature Creation is unique because every sapphire is unique. No two pieces are identical. Browse our settings here or book a consultation to begin.

From stone selection to completed piece, allow four to six weeks. Every stage is carried out by hand in our Brisbane atelier — the setting fabricated to hold your specific stone, the prongs set by a master setter, the piece finished and inspected before it reaches you.

This is not a production process. It is a commission. If you have a specific date in mind — an engagement, an anniversary, a birthday — let us know at the outset and we will work to your timeline.

Yes. Our Signature Settings are starting points, not limits. Metal choice, band profile, prong style, accent stone selection — all of these can be discussed and modified during your consultation. If your vision goes beyond a modification and requires an entirely original design, that falls under our Bespoke Commissions service.

In certain circumstances, yes. If you have a stone you love and want to set it in one of our Signature designs, get in touch and we will assess whether it is suitable. The setting is fabricated to the exact dimensions of the stone it holds — so we would need to assess your stone's shape, dimensions and condition before confirming.

Contact us with details of your stone and we will advise from there.

Because every Signature Creation is made to order for a specific stone and a specific client, we ask that you are certain before placing your order. We offer a thorough consultation process precisely to make sure you are confident in your choices before we begin.

If circumstances change after an order is placed, please contact us as early as possible. Modifications may be possible depending on the stage of production. Please refer to our returns and refund policy for full details.

Every completed piece is dispatched via fully insured, secure courier — tracked from our atelier to your door. You will be notified as soon as your piece is ready to ship, along with a tracking number so you can follow its journey.

For Brisbane clients, collection by private appointment is available if preferred. For interstate and international clients, complimentary insured shipping is included with every order.

Yes — we ship internationally. Every international shipment is fully insured and tracked via secure courier. We manage all aspects of the shipping process so your piece arrives as carefully as it was made.

Please note that import duties and taxes may apply depending on your country of residence. These are the responsibility of the recipient. If you have questions about delivery to your location, contact us before placing your order.

Sapphires are among the most durable gemstones on earth — rated 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, second only to diamond. Your ring is designed to be worn every day without special precautions. That said, a little regular care will keep it looking its best for a lifetime.

Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush — an ultrasonic cleaner is also safe for most sapphire and gold pieces. Avoid harsh chemicals such as bleach or acetone. Store separately from other jewellery to prevent surface contact. Have the setting checked by a jeweller every two to three years to confirm the prongs remain secure.

Yes. We stand behind every piece we make. If your ring requires resizing or any repair, contact us and we will advise the best course of action. For pieces made through Signature Creations or bespoke commissions, we will always aim to handle repairs directly. Resizing and repair services are available at cost depending on the work required.

Because our Signature Creations and bespoke pieces are made to order for a specific client, they are not eligible for return or exchange. This is why we invest so much in the consultation process — to ensure you are completely confident before we begin.

For ready-to-wear pieces from the Ruhuna Collection, please refer to our full returns policy for details. If you have a concern about a piece you have received, contact us directly — we will always find a fair resolution.