Prestige Gems, a family-owned and operated gems and jewelry business, is one of the most prominent establishments for fine gems and jewelry in Sri Lanka. The founder of Prestige Gems, Dakshitha Dangedara is a Sri Lankan born gemologist and jeweler with more than 35 years of experience in the trade. Ever since he was a youngster, he was involved in gemstones, learning the art and science of evaluating rough, treatments, cutting and polishing as well as the art of trading at a very early age. He began business in loose cut and polished Ceylon gems to cater to both local and foreign buyers along with his late father.
OUR STORY
He initially started his career as a gem merchant doing wholesale trading with local clients in a small office space. As opportunities arose, he began participating in different exhibitions across the world with the initiative of building a potential international client base overtime. With years of firsthand experience in buying and trading Ceylon sapphires as well as other precious and semi-precious colored gemstones overall helped him build a good foundation dealing with buyers locally and internationally. Well-known for sourcing the finest gems and for his high standard of integrity gradually made him one of the most respected gem dealers in Sri Lanka.
After years of considering, planning and growth, Dakshitha Dangedara partnered together with one of the top Japanese jewelry artisans Takayuki Otsuki established their first jewelry manufacturing workshop, D&O International in 1999. Renowned for its quality and high standards in manufacturing and exporting jewelry and gems to Japan. Today, the factory’s network includes more than 30 skilled and experienced craftsmen producing a dazzling range of exquisitely fine jewelry.
As his company grew and became a trusted source for manufacturing and exporting jewelry, and having many years of experience serving in the gems and jewelry industry, it was during this time Dakshitha began laying down the foundation of a strong-knit, family owned and operated business. Under the careful guidance of the Dangedara family, his first Gems and jewelry store – Prestige Gems opened its doors in the most commercial area of Colombo in the year 2014. During the process, his two sons and daughter began building interest in their father’s work and ethics and progressively grew the passion hoping to carry their father’s legacy and the success of the business to newer heights. They are now at the forefront of his business continuing their venture on to the third generation as partners of the family business eventually taking over upon their father’s retirement.