Ratnapura

Visit a Gem Mine

Ratnapura is the gem heart of Sri Lanka’s gem industry and probably in the world. Here you can visit a gem mine of your choice to gain an insight into gems. There are many gem mines and shops around here. Also it is worth visiting the gem museum in the city.

Ratnapura “City of Gems” is a small city in Sri Lanka. It is the regional capital city of Sabaragamuwa Province. Some say the modern name is derived from the Portuguese name “Rapadura” for jaggery, the palm candy produced traditionally in this region, but the more common explanation in Sri Lanka is that it comes from the Sinhala “Ratna” meaning gems and “Pura” meaning city.
It is the centre of a long-established industry of precious stone mining including rubies, sapphires, and other gems. Apart from gem mining, the city is known for rice and fruit cultivations. Large plantations of tea and rubber surround the city. Tea grown in this region is called low-country tea.