Explore the Gemstone Industry in Ratnapura

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Heraniyawaka Gem Market is one of the most famous street markets for rough gemstones in Sri Lanka. It usually operates from 6.30 am to 9.30 am every day, these are peak hours but the market continues until noon. You can mostly see sapphires and spinal in rough form in this market. Most of the mining people bring their stones to this market.

   1.5 h

2. Closer to Town you will be visiting gemstone mining & also in River Mining.

   1.5 h

3. In Ratnapura, Most of the gemstones being offered are rough Sapphires, but there are also cut and polished Sapphires and a wide variety of rough and cut-colored gemstones. The stones that have made the region world-famous are various Spinels, Aquamarines, Tourmalines, Topaz, Garnets, Amethyst, Cat’s eyes, Alexandrite, Zircons and Moonstones.

   1.5 h

4. The National Museum of Ratnapura is one of the national museums of Sri Lanka. It is located in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka and it was opened on 13 May 1988. The museum building is called “Ehelepola Walauwa”, as it once belonged to Ehelepola Nilame, a courtier of the Kingdom of Kandy. The museum includes exhibits on prehistoric archaeological inventions, natural heritage, geological, anthropological, zoological artifacts and models relating to the Sabaragamuwa Province.

   1 h

5. Break for Lunch On Your Choice, we can recommend some places for you

   40 min

6. The area closer to Kaluganga bridge at the Demuwawatha Street is a good place to view traditional cutting operations for high-quality sapphires and other gemstones such as cat’s-eye chrysoberyl. This method is still preferred by Sri Lanka cutters, especially for preforming. The traditional method of gemstone faceting done by a manual instrument called ‘Hanaporuwa’ also known as the “Pattale” by natives . Hanaporuwa (Ceylon Bow Cutter) was the main instrument of gemstone faceting in Sri Lanka until the early 1970’s.

   40 min

7. We will be visiting few gem shops in this area on our way to Colombo.

   40 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Know before you go

How it compares in Colombo

• Its from-price is 20% below the median of the 469 day trips we list in Colombo.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Colombo

Colombo is Sri Lanka's largest city and commercial capital, where colonial landmarks, Buddhist temples, busy markets and a seafront promenade meet.

Galle Face Green, a long seafront lawn, fills with families, kite flyers and street-food stalls as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean. Nearby, the Fort district keeps colonial buildings such as the Old Dutch Hospital, restored as shops and restaurants, and the red-and-white striped Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque rises over the crowded market streets of Pettah.

Top-ranked sights in Colombo: Gangaramaya Temple, Galle Face Green, Independence Square.

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