Sri Lankan Gem Industry
The world has long recognized Sri Lanka as the pearl of the Indian Ocean, a country endowed with an abundance of brilliant diamonds. When sailing around the globe in quest of the best gem stones available, seafaring traders from all over the world made this enchanted area their most sought-after port of call. Well-known historical accounts attest to the fact that jewels and jewelry from Sri Lanka have been used by royals all over the world, notably the English Royal Family, to embellish their crown jewels.
Sri Lanka continues to be the world’s leading producer of world-class gemstones; in the past, the country was known as “Rathna Dweepa,” which means “The Island of Gemstones.” The splendor of Sri Lankan gemstones has inspired kings, traders, and historians throughout history.
Sri Lanka’s history is intricately intertwined with its gems. The island was said to have the world’s best sapphires, topazes, amethysts, and other gemstones by Marco Polo. Sailors who visited the island are reported to have brought back “Jewels of Serendib” in their records. When traders from the Middle East and Persia traveled across the Indian Ocean in the fourth and fifth centuries to transport jewels from Sri Lanka to the East, they gave the island the old name Serendib.
It is reported that King Solomon purchased a magnificent ruby from Ceylon for the Queen of Sheba. The Royal Marriage of the Century has caused the Sri Lankan Blue Sapphire to light in the cosmos in more recent times. The stunning and noble pair Prince William and Kate Middleton became engaged with this gorgeous Ceylon Blue Sapphire and Diamond Cluster engagement ring, which was originally Princess Diana’s.
covering an area of 65,000 square kilometers, of which 80% has been categorically designated as “Potential Gem Bearings.” Out of the approximately 200 known gemstone variations, Sri Lanka has the largest density of gemstone deposits worldwide, yielding over 75 different varieties. Sapphire, Ruby, Cat’s Eye, Alexandrite, Chrysoberyl, Spinel, Topaz, Zircons, Tourmaline, and Garnets are the primary gemstone species found in Sri Lanka.
These gemstones are generally found in alluvial gravels that are found in valley bottoms and are fed by tributary hillside streams. These streams contain gem minerals that are released from bed rock sources that are found at hilltops or hillsides through weathering. It has been demonstrated that certain rocks, particularly variations of corundum, contain gemstones in addition to the sedimentary formations that are known to contain them. Gemstones are also connected to pegmatite, which is a significant source.
The Ratnapura sector of the Sabaragamuwa province is the most well-known and active region on the island for manufacturing gemstones. The following are the other principal gem mining regions of the nation: Nivithigala, Balangoda, Eheliyagoda, Pelmadulla, and Avissawella.
