My Profile

In the early 70’s sourcing of corundum (Rough Sapphire) was the main source of business by my father, Mr M.H.M Farook, in the Gem city of Kahawatte, located about 28km’s from Ratnapura. He was one of the pioneers in the trade. Farook Gems was thereafter, founded by my father in 1991. He, then, progressed into the export market sending out to the world some of the biggest sapphires ever polished in Sri Lanka. As this was a family business my brother Mohamed Intikhab Farook and myself, Mohamed Shazeen Farook was eventually to be the successors of this globally valued business.

My History

I worked in the business after completing my studies in 2003 in the United Kingdom, educating myself in Business Administration (BBA) and Masters in Management Science (MSc.). Upon experiencing my self in the trade from the field of cutting and polishing Gem stones to the vast global cliental I had my exposure with, went on to be the Sole Proprietor of Farook Gems in January of 2022. We were one of the leading businesses in the Gem export market in Sri Lanka. As a company that grew from mining to exporting sapphire, I believed venturing out into the retail sector was essential to our endeavours. Therefore along with the concept that we always followed, “from mine to market”, I entered into the jewellery sector with our brand name, Exotic Jewels. Mastering in sapphires with the extended knowledge that I gained working with my father and brother progressed Farook Gems to where we have situated us in the global market across countries like U.S.A, France, China, Hong Kong & Bangkok.

Involvement for the trade and its activities:

Since 2012- Member of Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association

2016 to current date - Member of the executive committee for Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association (SLGJA). This is the apex body of the Gem Industry in Sri Lanka representing the majority of the Gem dealers. Activities including negotiations with government institutions for the betterment of the trade is mostly done by The Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association.

2020 - 2023 - Vice President-Finance for SLGJA

Since 2012 - Member of the working Committee for organising FACETS EXHIBITION in Sri Lanka. FACETS is the only internationally recognised exhibition held in Sri Lanka for the Gem & Jewellery industry.

Through SLGJA, I was personally involved in committees that took park in negotiations with the government sector for trade activities and exports:

Finance ministry National Gem & Jewellery Authority Export Development Board Tourism Ministry Subject minister’s of the trade