City Of Gems Archives

Rathnapura Town: A Journey from Past to Present-by Kalani-eLanka Source:pixabay The lush greenery of Sri Lanka’s Sabaragamuwa Province lies the charming town of Rathnapura. Steeped in history and adorned with natural beauty, Rathnapura has undergone a remarkable transformation over the years, evolving from a quiet agricultural hub to a bustling center of commerce and culture. In the annals of history, Rathnapura has long been renowned as the “City of Gems,” owing to its rich deposits of precious stones such as sapphires, rubies, and cat’s eyes. Dating back centuries, the town was a crucial trading post where merchants from far-flung corners of the world converged to acquire these coveted jewels. The town’s early days were characterized by quaint colonial architecture, winding streets, and a leisurely pace of life. The rhythmic clang of craftsmen shaping gemstones echoed through the streets, while bustling marketplaces bustled with activity as traders bartered their wares. ...

Sri Lanka Is Looking To Sell ‘Queen of Asia’, Its 310-Kg Blue Sapphire, If The Buyer Pays Over US$100 Mn By: ABP News Bureau The 1,550,000 carats stone is world’s largest natural corundum blue sapphire. A Dubai firm has offered US$100 million but Sri Lanka is looking at a higher price for it. Source:news.abplive.com New Delhi: Sri Lanka is negotiating with a Dubai-based company that has offered US$100 million for its ‘Queen of Asia’, which is said to be the world’s largest natural corundum blue sapphire, local media reported. Sri Lanka unveiled the gem in December, three months after it was found in the gem-rich belt of Ratnapura. According to a report in the Daily Mirror, the government said Thursday talks were going on with the company on the sale of the stone at a higher price. Quoting State Minister of Gem and Jewellery Related Industries Lohan Ratwatte, the report said ...