For centuries, Sri Lanka has gleamed as a fabled island of treasures—its earth rich with some of the world’s most coveted colored gemstones. It holds the distinction of being the oldest known source of such precious stones and has gifted the world with legendary sapphires like the Blue Belle of Asia, a crown jewel of British royalty and the most expensive sapphire ever sold at auction, and the Star of India, proudly exhibited at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
At the heart of this centuries-old industry lies Ratnapura, which aptly translates to “City of Gems.” Situated roughly 101 kilometers southeast of Colombo, this bustling town thrives on its gemstone trade. Each
morning, the Newitigala Gem Market comes alive with traders and dealers—whether novice collectors or seasoned gemologists engaging in animated negotiations, trying to secure the best deals in sapphires, garnets, and other colorful treasures.
Scattered along the streets of Ratnapura are numerous gemstone cutting workshops catering to all tiers of the industry—from local traders to elite international buyers. Many of these services still employ manual, time-honored techniques that demand both patience and a master’s touch. It’s an artisanal craft passed down through generations, showcasing not just the gem, but the soul of the cutter behind it.
Just a short tuk-tuk ride from town, visitors can witness firsthand the traditional mining practices still thriving in the countryside. These are no industrial operations instead, small-scale mines rely on manual methods honed over 2,000 years, tracing back to the days of ancient Sinhalese kings. Bamboo scaffolding, wooden pulley systems, and hand-dug shafts are common features of these humble but productive mines.
Despite their modest appearance, these fields yield a wide variety of
minerals: chrysoberyl, spinel, tourmaline, zircon, garnet, and, of course, sapphire each extracted with respect for the land and tradition. The mines of Ratnapura contribute a significant share to Sri Lanka’s gemstone exports, continuing the island’s legacy as a global gem hub.
To delve deeper into this world, the Ratnapura Gem Museum offers a curated journey through the history and intricacies of the trade. Alongside dazzling displays of both precious and semi-precious stones, visitors can explore exhibits of tools, photographs, and archival documents that paint a vivid picture of the evolution of gem mining on the island. The museum welcomes guests daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, preserving and celebrating a timeless heritage that continues to sparkle across the globe.
