Sri Lanka’s Gem and Jewellery industry is one of the country's oldest and is also one of the largest export earners.
The history of the gems of Sri Lanka can be traced back some 3,000 years.
Sri Lankan gems are much written about by early travellers from Europe, Arabia, and Asia. They have adorned many a Crown, Sceptre, and Throne. These gems are the prized possessions of royalty and the rich and famous through the ages right up to this day.
Out of about 200 minerals that are classified as gemstones, around 75 varieties are found in Sri Lanka, making this small island one of the most important geographic locations in the world of gemstones. Corundum and Chrysoberyl are the two most commercially important species of gemstones found in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is particularly renowned for its blue sapphires, star sapphires star rubies, and the pathmaraga (padparadscha) sapphires.
In a global context, this Island of Gems (an ancient name for Sri Lanka was “Ratnadvipa” which means Island of Gems) continues to be one of the most important, if not the most important sources of fine sapphires in the world. Arguably no other source has produced sapphires in size, quantity, and quality for as long a time as Sri Lanka has.
Among the connoisseurs of gemstones, Ceylon Sapphire continues to enjoy a good reputation and occupies a unique space as a special gemstone.

Royal ring sapphire 'came from Sri Lanka'
Sri Lankan gems have been a firm favourite amongst the Royal family, with the Queen choosing to wear the “Trumpet Brooch” on many an occasions. The “Trumpet Brooch” was gifted to Queen Elizabeth II by the Mayor of Colombo during her visit in 1981.
The brooch encapsulates all that is Sri Lankan gems, with a variety of precious and semi-precious stones that are vibrant and facetted to precision. The “Trumpet Brooch” resembles a bouquet and was worn by Her Majesty on many occasions during her tours around the world. Her Majesty’s fondness for Sri Lankan gems is shared by the Royal family too,