Sri Lanka: The Island That Never Stopped Mining Gems

Once called Ceylon.

One of the longest
continuous mining traditions
in the world.

An Island Built From Gondwana's Bones

The Mozambique Belt,
once, ran through here.

Deep metamorphic history,
concentrated in a small place.

Ratnapura —
"city of gems."

The Illam Deposits

Alluvial gravel.
Ancient gem-bearing rock,
eroded, over millions of years.

Redeposited
in riverbeds.

One pit.
An extraordinary range of species.

Sapphire: The Signature Export

Blue. Pink. Yellow.
Rare padparadscha.

Brighter. Lighter
than Kashmir or Burmese material.

Excellent transparency.
Larger stones, more affordable.

Beyond Sapphire

Spinel. Garnet. Tourmaline.
Fine blue moonstone.

Alexandrite —
green in daylight,
red under flame.

A Continuous Tradition

Two thousand years, relatively unbroken.

Records trace exports
to ancient Rome. To ancient China.

Ratnapura —
a mining center,
a trading hub,
expertise passed down
generations deep.