One of a Kind Sunrise Facets by Alex Monroe Jewellery

Sunrise Facets

In January 2022, and with the help of Wennick–Lefèvre’s founder, Nilanthi fulfilled her dream and opened her own lapidary, Sunrise Facets. This partnership has meant that she is the first woman in Sri Lanka to own and run a cutting factory.

Hummingbird, Flower & Leaf Inline Necklace with Tropical Mix Sapphires by Alex Monroe Jewellery

Hummingbird, Flower & Leaf Inline Necklace with Tropical Mix Sapphires

Founder of Sunrise Facets Nilanthi Thisera working in the factory

Nilanthi Thisera, Founder of Sunrise Facets

Sunrise Facets

Our sapphire supplier Wennick–Lefèvre had worked with Nilanthi in Sri Lanka for 15 years, and knew that her talents were often under-appreciated, often encouraging her to branch out on her own.

Nilanthi’s business is based on the shared values of equality, respect, and a healthy life/work balance, where speaking your mind is welcomed and support for each other is at the forefront. Just as Wennick–Lefèvre and Nilanthi are a partnership, so are Nilanthi and her employees. They listen and help one another in times of need like a family unit.

 product shot of Tropical Leaf Inline Necklace with 'Tunstall' Sapphires by Alex Monroe
Tropical Leaf Inline Necklace with 'Tunstall' Sapphires
£2,600
Product shot of Tropical Leaf & Flower Ring, with 'Hot House' Madagascan Sapphires by Alex Monroe Jewellery
Tropical Leaf & Flower Ring, with 'Hot House' Madagascan Sapphires
£6,995
product shot of Hummingbird, Flower & Leaf Inline Necklace with Tropical Mix Sapphires by Alex Monroe jewellery
Hummingbird, Flower & Leaf Inline Necklace with Tropical Mix Sapphires
£4,500
product shot of Tiny Tropical Flower Stud Earrings with Green-Yellow Sapphires by Alex Monroe
Tiny Tropical Flower Stud Earrings with Green-Yellow Sapphires
£1,500
Svend and Nilanthi Thisera with stand next to a yellow Power Generator

Supporting Communities

“The power generator has helped the Sunrise Facets team to work like they did before the crisis.” - Nilanthi Thisera

Upon hearing of the difficulties with power shortages in Sri Lanka and the impact and disruptions this was having at the lapidary, Wennick–Lefèvre set about to provide Sunrise Facets with a generator. Alex Monroe is pleased to have contributed 50% of the cost, along with the Wennick–Lefèvre team to provide this, ensuring the team can continue to work safely and consistently.

We are proud to play a small part in this kind of support as extended business family, which has made a major difference for Nilanthi and her team.

Svend and Nilanthi Thisera with stand next to a yellow Power Generator
Profile Nilanthi Thisera

Female Entrepreneur

Nilanthi Thisera

Nilanthi Thisera on her experience as a woman owning a cutting factory in Sri Lanka and any advice she has for women in business.

"I see that both of your questions are intertwined, because in a South Asian country like Sri Lanka, we see a low tendency for women to go into business, and I see the culture of Sri Lanka as the primary reason for that. This trend has particularly affected the gem industry, because since the early stages of the gem industry, the labor of men has been used for it. Several reasons are seen as problematic for women entering an industry that is monopolized by men."

Nilanthi Thisera

We’re a family and we’re a team. I’m not the boss - I’m the sister. They call me big sister. I’ve known them all from my 20 years in the gem industry. I don’t get tired of work.
Winter Woodland Treetop In-Line Necklace in gold plate inside a vinatge jewellwey box

"Several reasons are seen as problematic for women entering an industry that is monopolized by men.

Security - problems of good communication with customers in the gem trade.

Low valuation of female traders by customers.

Less opportunities for women to learn about this field.

I entered this industry with many years of work experience in an international gem cutting company and initially I started this business on a very small scale."

Winter Woodland Treetop In-Line Necklace in gold plate inside a vinatge jewellwey box
Lock and Key Necklace gold plated silver with black seed pearls displayed on vintage books with peach coloured flower

"Also, I am very grateful to Mr. Svend for trusting me and giving me that opportunity even though I am a woman. I think that even though I am a female Entrepreneur, I am very well engaged in this field and providing a very high quality gem cutting service.

So my message to women who are hoping to enter this field, do not be afraid of challenges, have self-confidence and always keep your honesty and humility in yourself. But learn well about the industry and build experience, you can go on a successful journey."

Interview - Nilanthi Thisera, Founder of Sunrise Facets

I hope to further expand my organization's capacity in the coming year. It also includes trying to increase the income of my clients and increasing the benefits given to my employees.
Have you faced challenges since opening Sunrise Facets and how have you overcome these?

The main problem was the underestimation of women businessmen in the field. But Mr. Sven trusted me and gave me that opportunity and I remember that with great gratitude. The next biggest problem was that during the period when I started the business, Sri Lanka was facing a serious economic crisis due to the Corona virus, in fact, due to the energy crisis and the shortage of raw materials, we faced many big problems, but with the support of my family and friends, I was able to save my business in the face of those challenges and I am very grateful to them for that too.

I am gratefully reminded that my business partner Mr. Sven also donated a generator during that period. Also, they were behind us until we built this factory building, bought the machines and brought our institutions to this level. They were even kind enough to provide machines and equipment from their personal wealth as solutions to some technical problems. And paid my salary, so I had a lot of support. Also, in the beginning, there was difficulty in finding the problem of trained workers and machines, but I was able to solve it quickly based on my connections in the field.

Who has inspired you over the years?

Really, my husband should be at the top of that list, but I wouldn't be here without the support from my family and friends.

What would you say is your greatest achievement with Sunrise Facets?

My biggest hope was to send the stock of stones made by my own gem cutting company to a foreign customer and get a high recognition from him. I think I have successfully won it.

What does success look like to you?

I don't see the financial profit that I personally earn as success, I think that my customer's satisfaction and his profit should be the maximum, and I expect the satisfaction of the employees who work under me, and I also care about business social responsibility. And I am running the business according to all the rules imposed by the government. But during all these activities, I have to allocate time for my family life.

What drew you to work with gemstones? Which are your favourites?

I chose my first job as a quality controller in a high-level international gem cutting company in Sri Lanka at that time. Since then, I have been working for twenty years, gradually getting promoted to a manager. Now this has become my hobby. I prefer Sri Lankan sapphires and I love the color and luster of that gem.

How do you think we can all do better in creating both equality and equity in the workplace?

In my opinion, I, the head of the organization, should set a good example for the other employees, and I will treat everyone equally and protect their dignity.

And all of them have been given the same company code of rules and employment conditions by their service contract.

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