Sri Lanka is ranked as the top five gem-bearing nations in the world, for its greatest concentration of gems found most parts of the island. All types of gems such as Blue & Yellow Sapphire, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Pathmaraga, Star Ruby & Star Sapphire are found here specially the city Ratnapura, literary the meaning is ‘gem city’.

During the historical times Sri Lanka is world famous for gems and it was known as the land of gems. Many valuable gems are taken to different parts of the world from Sri Lanka such as the star Sapphire displayed in Natural History Museum in New York (which is mis-named as Star of India) is taken from Sri Lanka and the blue sapphire called ‘Blue Bell” in British crown is also taken from Sri Lanka. It is said that the King Solomon has produced a great Ruby for the Queen of Sheeba.

Ratnapura is world famous precious stones and gem mining. There are many gem showrooms and a famous privately owned gem museum which you will be able to see different kinds of precious stones such as Gamet , Topaz, Star Ruby & Star Sapphire, Alexandrite, Aquamarine, Amethyst, Pathparaja and Blue & Yellow Sapphire.