A Boy With Ten Rupees

By 1963, our family's connection to the gem trade existed only in small, occasional dealings. The foundation had been laid by those before, but the story of the business as we know it today had yet to begin.

That changed when Al Haj Athaulla Abu Bakr Marikkar was just fifteen years old.

With only ten Sri Lankan rupees, entrusted to him by his father, he travelled to Ratnapura - the heart of Sri Lanka's gemstone country. It was a modest sum, but it represented something far greater than its value. It was an opportunity, a gesture of trust, and the beginning of a lifelong pursuit.

Living under the guidance of his uncle, he immersed himself completely in the trade. There were no laboratories, digital marketplaces, or instant communication. Knowledge was passed from one generation to the next through observation, patience, and experience.

Every day became a classroom.

He learned how rough gemstones were evaluated before they ever reached a cutting wheel. He learned to recognise subtle differences in colour, clarity, crystal structure, and potential. He observed negotiations, built relationships with miners and traders, and slowly began buying and selling small stones of his own.

Each successful transaction increased not only his capital but also his confidence.

The lessons extended far beyond gemstones. He learned that reputation was a merchant's greatest asset, that trust was earned over years rather than days, and that integrity would always outlast profit.

The ten rupees soon became more than money.

They became the seed from which a family legacy would grow.

Looking back today, it is remarkable to think that the international journey of Ceylon Masterpieces can be traced to one determined teenager, a small investment from his father, and countless hours spent learning every aspect of the trade by hand.

This was where our family's true journey began - not with wealth, but with curiosity, discipline, humility, and an unwavering commitment to mastering the art of gemstones.