Coordinates: 6°40′50″N 80°24′08″ECoordinates: 6°40′50″N 80°24′08″E
Country: Sri Lanka
Province: Sabaragamuwa
District: Ratnapura
Area: Total 20 km2 (8 sq mi)
Throughout its 2000-year history, Sri Lanka has been referred to as “Serendib,” or “the Land of Gems.” Several travelers, including Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta, and Faxian, have written about the jewels of Sri Lanka in their journey journals. In order to transport Sri Lankan rubies to King Solomon’s kingdom, messengers were sent. It is said that Sri Lanka is known as the “Valley of Jewels” in Sinbad’s trip adventures because of its wealth of jewels. Sri Lanka is home to the world’s third biggest sapphire deposit. Sri Lankan gems have a long and illustrious history, as shown by the “Blue Belle of Asia” in the British crown and the “Star of India” in the New York Museum of Natural History. In ancient times, jewels such as the “Chulawanshaya” and “Mahawanshaya” were the most expensive stones in Sri Lanka, and they remain so now.
Ratnapura is known as the “City of Gems.” It is the headquarters of the Sabaragamuwa province and is located 100 kilometers from Colombo. The name “Ratna” is taken from the Sinhala word for jewels, while the name “Pura” is derived from the Sinhala word for city or town. It also demonstrates that the Ratnapura region is home to some of the world’s most magnificent diamonds. Because of the tropical environment, mineral-rich soils, and plenty of riverbeds in the area, Ratnapura has emerged as a suitable location for the production of diamonds. Ratnapura was the location of the discovery of the world-famous “Blue Giant of the Orient” diamond in 1907.
One may observe a wide variety of gemstones when they visit gem museums and gem workshops, including sapphires, rubies, chrysoberyl, beryl, spinel, topaz (also known as topaz), zircon (also known as zirconium), tourmaline (also known as tourmaline), garnet (also known as cat’s eye), and others.
Sri Lanka is home to the world’s third-biggest sapphire deposit. Ratnapura was the location of the discovery of the “Blue Giant of the Orient” diamond in 1907. The name “Ratna” is taken from the Sinhala word for jewels, while the name “Pura” is derived from the city or town. One may observe a wide variety of gemstones when they visit gem museums and gem workshops, including sapphires, rubies, chrysoberyl, beryl, spinel, topaz (also known as topaz), zircon (also known as zirconium), tourmaline (also known as tourmaline), garnet (also known as cat’s eye), and others.
Ratnapura is also home to a gem museum, which is located 101 kilometers from Colombo. It showcases a variety of rare and semi-precious stones, including sapphires, rubies, and amethysts, among others. They exhibit photographs and images of several additional sorts of stones and instruments used in the gem business, among other things. It exhibits a variety of artifacts that highlight the history of the gem industry as well as the methods used in the business. It is open from 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., seven days a week. Located on the property of Gem and Jewellery Association, there is a new museum named “Minipura Mini Museum,” which opened its doors in 2007. In the Ratnapura neighborhood, there are a number of private gem museums.
Ratnapura is the most well-known gem mining region in the nation, and it is also the site of the island’s first sapphire mine, which was established in the same year. The Sri Lankan government is also expanding the number of sapphire mines available in the Ratnapura region. Tourists go to gem mines to see the excavation and washing of gravel containing jewels, which is a fascinating procedure to witness. Fossils have also been discovered in gem mines in the Ratnapura region.
The majority of the time, three-wheel drivers transport tourists to small-scale gem mines. Visitors to gem mines have the opportunity to have a remarkable and really intriguing experience. To access a gem containing gravel, the miners must dig around 5-50 feet down into the ground. However, despite the fact that gem mining is forbidden, it continues to operate on a limited scale using certain techniques. Pits were excavated in low-lying areas such as valley floors, riverbeds, rice fields, and damp areas in and around the Ratnapura region, and anybody could see them.
Sri Lanka has a 2000-year tradition of heating sapphires and rubies for ornamental purposes. Color and value of gemstones are both enhanced as a result of this procedure. Additionally, it aids in the removal of the blueish or purple tints from the stones. The jewels are heated using blow-piped charcoal burners, which are used by the workers. Nowadays, electrical burners are employed in this procedure, and visitors from all over the world come to see these fascinating operations. There is a lot of curiosity in this procedure of gem heating among the Thai people.
The gem trade provides a living for the majority of people in the Ratnapura region. Ratnapura is home to the vast majority of large-scale and influential diamond businesses. Additionally, there are international merchants, the bulk of them are Thai traders. Muang Chan’s “Weekend Market” is the name of the market where they operate. Tradespeople assemble in the town center on a daily basis to collect gems from the residents and sell them to the foreign dealers. It is referred to as the “Morning Gem Market.”
Despite the fact that visiting the Gem City is featured in tour guides and itineraries, travellers only spend a few hours in the city. Guides simply accompany them to a gem mine and to make purchases of gems. Ratnapura, on the other hand, is a world-renowned gem-producing region. As a result, policymakers will be able to devote greater attention to it.
Ratnapura is the most well-known gem mining region in Sri Lanka. It is home to the island’s first sapphire mine, which was established in the same year. A gem museum showcases a variety of rare and semi-precious stones. To access a gem containing gravel, the miners must dig around 5-50 feet down into the ground. The gem trade provides a living for the majority of people in the area, but gem miners are forbidden to mine the precious stone. Tour guides accompany them to a gem mine and make purchases of gems when they visit the Gem City. Ratnapura, on the other hand, is a world-renowned gem-producing region.
Image Credit
Source: medium.com
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