SRI LANKA: THE ISLAND OF GEMS
By Publisher Ray Carmen
For more than 2,000 years, Sri Lanka has captivated the world with one of nature’s most extraordinary treasures—its magnificent gemstones. Known for centuries as “The Island of Gems,” this beautiful Indian Ocean nation has supplied royalty, collectors, and master jewellers with some of the finest precious stones ever discovered.
At the heart of this remarkable story lies Ratnapura, whose name literally means “City of Gems.” Nestled among lush green hills and sparkling rivers, Ratnapura has long been the centre of Sri Lanka’s gem industry. Generations of skilled miners and craftsmen have carefully unearthed and polished the island’s natural treasures, preserving techniques passed down through the centuries.
Sri Lanka is particularly celebrated for producing some of the world’s most beautiful blue sapphires, admired for their exceptional clarity, rich cornflower-blue colour, and remarkable brilliance. Yet the island’s wealth extends far beyond sapphires. Its gem-rich soil also yields exquisite rubies, cat’s eyes, alexandrites, garnets, spinels, zircons, and many other precious and semi-precious stones sought after by buyers around the globe.
Perhaps the most famous Sri Lankan gemstone is the stunning blue sapphire that became one of the world’s best-known engagement rings. In 1981, then-Prince Charles presented Diana, Princess of Wales, with a magnificent oval blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds. Today, that iconic ring is worn by Catherine, Princess of Wales, continuing its remarkable royal legacy and drawing renewed attention to Sri Lanka’s extraordinary gemstone heritage.
For centuries, traders from Arabia, India, China, and Europe sailed to Sri Lanka in search of its legendary gems. These precious stones adorned the crowns of kings and queens, decorated royal palaces and temples, and became treasured family heirlooms passed from one generation to the next.
Today, Sri Lanka remains one of the world’s leading sources of high-quality coloured gemstones. Modern gem laboratories, ethical mining practices, and internationally respected cutting and polishing expertise continue to strengthen the country’s reputation as a global leader in the gemstone industry.
For visitors, exploring Ratnapura is an unforgettable experience. Bustling gem markets, expert craftsmen, museums, and breathtaking landscapes combine to create a destination unlike any other. Every polished sapphire tells a story that began deep beneath the earth millions of years ago before finding its place in a piece of timeless jewellery.
Sri Lanka’s gemstones are more than objects of beauty—they are symbols of a rich cultural heritage, exceptional craftsmanship, and one of the island’s greatest natural gifts to the world.
WORLD OF 7
195 Countries. 7 Continents. One World.