Ratnapura – A Gemstone Tour of Sri Lanka

This week Sri Lankan authorities unveiled what is said to be the world’s largest natural corundum blue sapphire, weighing a whopping 310 kilograms (683 pounds), which was found in a gemstone pit about three months ago. Local gemologists examined the sapphire, and said it was one of the rarest gems in the world. The massive sapphire stone is on display in Horana, 65 kilometers outside Colombo, Sri Lanka. A group of Buddhist monks chanted blessings for the gemstone before it was unveiled.

The gemstone was found in the gem-rich Ratnapura area where the world’s largest star sapphire cluster was found in a backyard. Ratnapura, also called ‘city of gems’, it means the same in sankrit; is known as the gemstone capital of Sri Lanka, which is a leading exporter of gemstones. Nearly all the gems in Sri Lanka are located in the central high-grade metamorphic terrain of Ratnapura.

The precious and semi-precious gem deposits of Ratnapura are classified as sedimentary, metamorphic and magmatic; the sedimentary types being the most abundant. The mineralogy of the gem deposits in Ratnapura varies among others, such as corundum (sapphire, ruby), chrysoberyl, beryl, spinel, topaz, zircon, tourmaline, and garnet.

Residual deposits are mainly also found in flood plains of nearby province’s rivers and streams also. Metamorphic types of gemstone constitute 90% of gem deposits in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is one of the countries with the highest density of gem deposits with nearly 25% of land is potentially gem-bearing. Besides gemstone; agriculture and tourism are the biggest employment generators.

Well connected by road, rail with capital, there are only a few places worth visiting in and around Ratnapura such as Maha Saman Devalaya, Saints Peter and Paul’s Cathedral, Pothgul Viharaya, St. Luke’s Church, Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak) and Siva Temple. there are few waterfalls in nearby areas that are also worth visiting. Besides gems Ratnapura also attracts people for its status as education hub with numerous schools and colleges.

There are numerous gem mines located in and around Ratnapura, that provide maximum employment to people besides agriculture. Most of the mines are around 10 m (33 ft) to 50 m (160 ft) deep. Miners use portable hand operating tools for mining gemstones. Once the soil is extracted from the mine, water is used to wash away dirt in pan and any gemstones, that are heavier than normal stones, remain at the bottom of the pan.

Some of the most famous gemstones excavated from Ratnapura are the ‘Giant of the orient’, ‘Logan Blue Sapphire’, ‘Blue Bella of Asia’, ‘Star of Lanka’  ‘Pride of Sri Lanka Blue Sapphire’, ‘Grayish Blue Star Sapphire’, ‘Naleem Alexandrite’, ‘Rosser Reeves Star Ruby’, ‘Black Prince Ruby’, ‘British Royal Jewel’,  ‘Empress Maria’s Sapphire’, ‘Bismarck Sapphire’, ‘The Eye of the Lion’, ‘The Star of Artaban’, ‘Star of Bombay’, ‘Midnight Star Sapphire’,  ‘Ray of Treasure’, ‘Maharani Cat’s Eye’, ‘Timur Ruby/Spinal’,  ‘Star of Adam’, and ‘Royal Ring Diana’.

Besides sapphires and diamonds other precious gemstone mined at Ratnapura include ruby, aquamarine, chrysoberyl cat’s eye, alexandrite, spinel, garnet, topaz, zircon, amethyst, and moonstone. Other semi-precious gemstones excavated include the tourmaline, zircon, sphene, citrine, quartz cat’s eye, kornerupine, sillimanite, chrysoberyl, topaz, agate and rose quartz pink. Most of the gemstone available are of highest quality and tourist and businessmen flock to Ratnapura to buy these gems regularly. There are a few hotels and resorts in Ratnapura that provide accommodation to tourist. if you are interested in gemstone a visit to Ratnapura is a must.