Sri Lanka has had a sparkling reputation for highly treasured gems. Nature in her bounty has chosen the bosom of Sri Lanka to enshrine some of her rarest treasures. Blue Sapphires, Rubies, Star Stones found embedded in layers of gravel and sand, in river beds, marshes, fields or accumulated at the foot of hills have made Sri Lanka the renowned island for gems. These precious stones perfected in the laboratory of nature lay hidden of countless ages, their lustre undimmed, their value unrecognised. And led by dame fortune, the rare gem emerges genuine and unequalled by an artifice of man. Perhaps nowhere in the world are so many minerals of the gem variety concentrated in so compact an area in such abundance as in Sri Lanka. To find out more about Sri Lanka's precious stones, click here
The Blue Sapphire is Sri Lanka's gem supreme. And Sri Lanka's Blue Sapphires are the finest in the world. Sapphires of the finest quality have what is called the experts (corn flower blue) or a royal blue tint. The highly priced of all gems, the Blue Sapphire, is second only to diamond in hardness. The largest known Sapphires in the world weighing 42 pounds was found in the gem gravels of Sri Lanka. The Blue giant of the orient weighing nearly 500 carats and the 400 carat Blue Belle of Asia was purchased by a British multi millionaire was also from Sri Lanka. the world jewellery market demands Blue Sapphires of 5-15 carats and Sri Lanka can supply these in large quantities.
Moonstone the only gem that is found in Sri Lanka displays a milky bluish sheen similar to that of moon beams and hence the name moonstone. Through some quirk of nature, moonstones are found only in a solitary quarter acre block of land in the village of Meetiyagoda to the South of Sri Lanka. The world's moonstone market is dominated by Sri Lanka.
Ratnapura is known as the city of gems. The gem- mining centre is also a major crossroad between southern plains and the hill country to the east. A bustling market city servicing most of the surrounding towns. Many of the prominent gem dealers in Sri Lanka operate from this town. scenery around this town is excellent and charming. The surrounding area is a popular trekking destination and a good place for bird watching. A visit to one of the museums or many gem workshops will give you the opportunity to see a variety of precious stone such as rubies, Sapphires, Cat's Eye, Aquamarine, Topaz, Garnets, Amethyst, Zircons etc. You could also visit one of the many gem mines in the city.
You can check into one of the many hotels in Ratnapura here
