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Tuesday, 8 January 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Melissa Perera
Having celebrated its 155th milestone in creating beauty in 2010, M.C. Joonoos kick-started the New Year with the launch of its website, www.mcjoonoos.com, recently, in the presence of three Directors of Saf’s Classique Gems – Rifky Joonoos, Amri Joonoos, and President Sabri Joonoos.
The website was launched by Sasinaz Joonoos, a fourth generation descendent of the founder of the company M.C. Joonoos, at Saf’s Classic Gems located in Colombo 3.
With its signature, a verse that plays a major role in the hearts of the directors of the company, who are also descents of its founder, and the staff of M.C. Joonoos, “You may search the world over, I will not be found, but if you got to Joonoos jeweller, you will find me there,” the company adds more meaning to its craftsmanship.
M.C. Joonoos designs unique jewellery and only one of each piece. In order to make another, the company makes sure to get a written document granting permission from the first client of the specific design.
The company commenced in 1855, in what was then known in the South of Sri Lanka as the Dutch Fort. The British Royal Navy being the first client of the company, M.C. Joonoos is believed to be the oldest gem and jewellery company in Sri Lanka.
“Pricing the delicate handmade jewels with a range starting from US$ 400, the family tradition has grown from one staffer, who was M.C. Joonoos himself, to a number of almost 20, with a well-talented designer and experienced fabricators, with a minimum work experience of 15 years,” Saf’s Classic Gems President Sabri Joonoos said.
“We are indeed proud to carry on the family tradition for five generations, which our founder father created with skills, craftsmanship, respect and nobility, and of being the descendants of the oldest jeweller and the first jewellery business to be established in Sri Lanka, under the governance of the British rule,” M.C. Joonoos Director Affli Raheem said. Patronised by British Royalty and high-ranking officers of the British Army and Navy, M.C. Joonoos is a rare jeweller that fabricated a delicate handmade jewel for the Prince of Wales.
Pix by Lasantha Kumara