Sri Lanka’s Sparkling Gem Factory: Behind the Scenes

From Rough Stones to Radiant Gems: A Sri Lankan Journey

Ever wondered how raw crystals become the glittering jewels in your favorite necklace? We took a virtual tour of a gem-cutting factory near Colombo – Sri Lanka’s gemstone capital – to uncover the magic!

Workers here handle everything from sapphires that mirror tropical skies to moonstones glowing like miniature galaxies. Using techniques perfected over centuries, lapidarists (gem-cutting pros!) transform rough rocks into symmetrical masterpieces through:

• Precision cutting with diamond-tipped tools
• Analyzing natural crystal structures
• Strategic polishing to maximize light reflection

Fun fact: Sri Lanka produces over 70 types of gems! Next time you see jewelry labeled ‘Ceylon sapphire’ (the island’s historic name), you’ll know its backstory.

Psst… The best part? Many artisans here train for decades to handle these treasures. Talk about #CareerGoals!

Reference(s):

Watch: Explore a gem-cutting factory in Sri Lanka

cgtn.com