Sri Lankan Gem Industry

Introduction

Sri Lanka, often called the “Gem Island” or “Ratnadeepa” in ancient texts, has been a hub for gem mining and trading for over 2,500 years. The country’s rich geological history has endowed it with some of the world’s finest gemstones, making Sri Lanka one of the most significant contributors to the global gemstone market. Sri Lankan gems have adorned the crowns and jewelry of royalty worldwide, including British, Persian, and Russian monarchies. Today, the industry plays a crucial role in the national economy, employing thousands of miners, cutters, and traders while contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings.

Major Gem Mining Regions

Sri Lanka’s gem deposits are primarily alluvial, meaning they are found in riverbeds and sedimentary deposits rather than hard rock formations. The key mining regions include:

Ratnapura

Known as the "City of Gems," Ratnapura is the heart of Sri Lanka's gem industry. It is renowned for producing high-quality sapphires, rubies, and cat’s eye chrysoberyl.

Elahera

Located in the central province, this area is famous for its sapphire and chrysoberyl deposits.

Balangoda

This region yields high-quality sapphires, garnets, and other precious stones.

Meetiyagoda

The world’s primary source of moonstones, Meetiyagoda produces the distinctively blue-hued moonstones Sri Lanka is famous for.

Traditional Gem Mining Techniques

Pit Mining

Small-scale, manually dug pits allow miners to extract gems with minimal impact on the environment.

River Mining

Gems are collected from riverbeds and gravel deposits.

Hand Washing

Instead of using large machinery, workers manually wash and sort through sediment to find gems, ensuring minimal ecological disruption.

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The Role of the Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Authority

The Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Authority (SLGJA) regulates and promotes the industry, ensuring ethical mining practices, proper valuation, and fair trade policies.

Conclusion

Sri Lanka’s gem industry is an irreplaceable part of its cultural and economic identity. With its ethical mining practices, skilled craftsmanship, and high-quality gems, Sri Lanka continues to shine as a leading gemstone destination.