Gemstones of Sri Lanka

Blue Sapphire

නිල් මැණික (Nil Manik)

The crown jewel of Sri Lanka. Ceylon blue sapphires are prized for their vivid cornflower blue hue and exceptional clarity. The finest specimens rival any gemstone in value.

Padparadscha

පද්මරාග (Padmaraga)

Named after the lotus flower (padma raga), this pink-orange sapphire is found almost exclusively in Sri Lanka. The most expensive sapphire variety per carat.

Ruby

රතු මැණික (Rathu Manik)

Sri Lankan rubies tend toward pinkish-red with excellent clarity. While not as saturated as Burmese rubies, Ceylon rubies command strong prices for their brilliance.

Star Sapphire

නිල් අරුණූල් (Nil Arunool)

Displays asterism — a six-pointed star effect caused by silk inclusions. The Star of Lanka (193 carats) and Star of India (563 carats) are among the world's most famous.

Alexandrite

පසිඟල් (Pasinggal)

The chameleon gem — green in daylight, red under incandescent light. Sri Lankan alexandrites are among the finest, with dramatic color change and high clarity.

Cat's Eye

වෛරෝඩි (Vairodi)

Chrysoberyl cat's eye displays chatoyancy — a sharp band of light across the stone. The 'milk and honey' effect in fine specimens is highly prized by collectors.

Yellow Sapphire

පුෂ්පරාග (Pushparaga)

Ranging from pale lemon to vivid golden yellow. Important in Vedic astrology (Jyotish), where it represents Jupiter. Sri Lanka is the primary source worldwide.

Pink Sapphire

රෝස මැණික (Rosa Manik)

Delicate pastel pinks to vivid hot pinks. The boundary between pink sapphire and ruby is debated — both are corundum, differing only in chromium concentration.

Star Ruby

රතු අරුණූල් (Rathu Arunool)

Combines the beauty of ruby with a six-rayed star. Sri Lankan star rubies often display excellent asterism with good body color — a rare combination.

Spinel

කිරිංචි (Kirinchi)

Once confused with ruby — many famous 'rubies' in crown jewels are actually spinels. Now valued in its own right. Sri Lanka produces exceptional red and cobalt blue spinels.

Aquamarine

පච්ච පදියම් (Patcha Padiyam)

The blue variety of beryl, aquamarine from Sri Lanka shows delicate sky-blue to ocean-blue tones. An affordable entry into the world of fine gemstones.

Moonstone

චන්ද්‍රකාන්ති (Chandrakanthi)

Sri Lanka's Meetiyagoda is the world's primary source of blue-sheen moonstone. The finest specimens display an ethereal floating blue light called adularescence.

Zircon

ජාර්ගූන් (Jargoon)

Not to be confused with cubic zirconia — natural zircon is a legitimate gemstone. Sri Lankan blue and white zircons have exceptional brilliance and fire.

Tourmaline

තෝරමල්ලි (Thoramalli)

Found in a rainbow of colors. Sri Lankan tourmalines range from vivid greens to warm browns. The finest tourmalines rival emeralds in color intensity.

Topaz

පදියම් (Padiyam)

Sri Lankan topaz is typically found in golden and brownish hues. Imperial topaz — a sherry-orange variety — commands the highest prices.

Hessonite Garnet

ගෝමේදය (Gomedaya)

Known as 'cinnamon stone' for its warm brownish-orange color. Important in Vedic astrology as the stone of Rahu. Sri Lanka produces the finest quality hessonite.

Rhodolite Garnet

රබහ (Rabaha)

A raspberry-pink to purplish-red garnet. Sri Lankan rhodolites have exceptional clarity and the rich 'rhodolite rose' color that dealers prize.

Taaffeite

ටැෆයිට් (Taaffeite)

One of the rarest gems on Earth. First identified in 1945 from a cut stone in a jeweler's lot — the only gemstone discovered already faceted. Sri Lanka is the primary source.

Serendibite

සෙරෙන්ඩිබයිට් (Serendibite)

Named after Serendib, the old Arabic name for Sri Lanka. Only a handful of gem-quality crystals exist worldwide. A true collector's holy grail.

Sinhalite

සිංහලයිට් (Sinhalite)

Named after the Sinhala people. Originally mistaken for brown peridot, it was recognized as a new mineral in 1952. Found primarily in the gem gravels of Ratnapura.

Ekanite

එකනයිට් (Ekanite)

Named after F.L.D. Ekanayake who discovered it in Sri Lanka. One of the few naturally radioactive gemstones — handled carefully by collectors.

Kornerupine

කෝර්නරුපීන් (Kornerupine)

A collector's gem rarely seen in jewelry. Sri Lankan specimens show attractive green to brownish-green hues with pleochroism — appearing different colors from different angles.

Sphene

ස්ෆීන් (Sphene)

Also called titanite. Has higher fire (dispersion) than diamond, creating spectacular rainbow flashes. Too soft for everyday wear but stunning in collections.