Gem Sightings of the Island
Ratnapura
Ratnapura which is known as City of Gems is one of the most popular cities in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is called the Island of Gems from ancient times. Considerable community from Ratnapura are engaged in gem mining, gem trading and jewellery manufacturing.
Alluvial gem deposits are the most widely distributed gem deposit type in Sri Lanka, the Ratnapura gem deposits being a good example. They often reach depths of more than 20 meters and usually contain two or three gem-bearing layers.
Ratnapura city has a long established history for precious and semi-precious gem mining. Blue sapphires from Ratnapura have a very remarkable colour which is having very higher market value. As well as Ratnapura produce rubies, yellow sapphire, remarkable pinkish-orange sapphire which is known as padparadscha, some of the precious gemstones that are found in Sri Lanka. andalusite and scapolite are frequently found in the gem fields around Ratnapura.
Balangoda
Balangoda is a large town in Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. Balangoda is one of the major gem cities.
Elahara
Elahara has become the second largest gem field in Sri Lanka. According to recent findings Elahara was an active gem mining center for many centuries. The Elahara gem field, located in northeastern Sri Lanka has produced a significant amount of gemstones and the deposit is mostly residual type. Elahara has produced economic quantities of good to superior sapphire, spinel, garnet, chrysoberyl, zircon, and tourmaline, as well as many other gem materials.
Meetiyagoda
Meetiyagoda is just a couple of kilometres from the coast, midway between Ambalangoda and Hikkaduwa. Meetiyagoda is one of the world’s primary sources of blue moonstones.
The moonstone deposit at Meetiyagoda is one of the best examples in Sri Lanka of a pegmatite type of gem formation and is associated with a large pegmatite vein that crosscuts metamorphic rocks. Other stones such as beryl, zircon and corundum can be found in meetiyagoda.
Beruwala
Beruwala is a town in Kalutara District, Western Province, Sri Lanka. Beruwala china fort is the biggest gem market in Sri Lanka which is known as ‘pathe’ among locals.”Pathe” is a popular street in the centre of China fort where the gem merchants from all over the island gather for trading their gems. China Fort does not have mining of its own, however it acts as the hub of gem trading where all types of gemstones are brought from different mines from all over Sri Lanka as well as from other popular mining countries in the world.The “Pathe” china fort gem market is a very welcoming and there is no restriction as to age or nationals which has fostered gem business over the several decades. The miners and rough gemstone dealers from Rathnapura, Balangoda, Nithigal, Elehara, and Galle also visit here to trade their gems. The gem market is always bristling with activities among Sri Lankan dealers and foreign buyers.
With several decades of experience and knowledge rooted into the system along with the abundance of rough stones brought into the market, beruwala now standout for cutting and polishing gemstones. As well as now Beruwala gem market provides gem laboratory services with latest gemological instruments with professional gemologists who are having international qualifications. Beruwala china fort has become the most famous gem city around the country with all expertise.
