Mechanized gem mining in Sri Lanka typically involves using machinery like excavators and bulldozers to extract gem-bearing material, particularly in larger-scale operations. This method, while more efficient and productive, can have significant environmental impacts and is often restricted in areas with established pit mining operations. The government regulates mechanized mining, especially in areas with high concentrations of gemstones or when faced with potential illegal mining activities

Gemming in beds of rivers is less common and require the assistance of experienced dredgers. An obstruction is put up across a stream to increase the flow of water at a selected spot over its bed. Long handled showels up to 40 feet or more in length are employed by six to eight men to drag the river bed at a point upstream of the dam till the illam layer is exposed after some weeks work. The overburden is carried away by the agitated water and the coarse sand and gravel (illam) is raked up and allowed to collect in a low ridge. This partly sorted illam is then removed from the water in baskets to the bank of the stream and the usual process of gem washing completed.

Deep mining is still carried out using traditional methods, with rectangular pits of 4’x8’, 6’x12’ or sometimes 6’x6’. The pits are reinforced by timber (mostly rubber wood) and planks from arecanut trees using ferns. In the first stage of the excavation, miners remove the non-gem-bearing material which includes soil, sand and gravel that does not contain any gems. This layer is excavated and meticulously sorted through to fill in the pit later on. A part of a deep gem mine showing reinforcement with timber, mainly rubber wood. This reinforcement is done at about 3–4 ft intervals Planks and logs are used to support the walls of the pits. Before being taken into the pits, they are cut to the required shapes and sizes. This also is part of the miner’s work. Logs most commonly used are of coconut, rubber and areca nut, all of which can stand a great amount of weight The initial investment in acquiring the wood is not very large. Over the past few years, natural materials have been replaced by more modern equivalents. In many instances nowadays, wood may be substituted by steel plates, especially in deep mines.First, a vertical shaft is driven downward. This is then amplified with bamboo poles in both horizontal and vertical directions. Pumps ensure continuous operation for which remains free of the shaft of water. In this kind is so far continued digging until the miners discover a layer in which the precious gems can be found.

Gem mining in Sri Lanka is primitive. Usually, pits are dug to the depth of the gem-bearing gravel layer. Depending on the level of the groundwater, and on whether the area is wet or dry, some method of drainage is used

Blue Sapphire The Ceylon Blue Sapphire, known as the King of precious stones, was first discovered in 500BC in Ratnapura,…

Historically known as the rarest and the most valuable corundums found in Sri Lanka, the Padparadscha sapphire, features a delicate combination of pink and orange, a hue in between a ruby and a yellow sapphire, resembling the tips of a new lotus flower at the dawn, the name derives from the Sanskrit term padmaraga for lotus blossom.
Although sapphires with pinkish and orange hues are also found in other countries, Sri Lanka is considered to be the true source for Padparadscha due to their unique colour hues and zones and purists believe that only the natural gem corundum with pinkish-orange hues sourced from Sri Lanka are fitting to be called padparadscha or padmaraga.
As per the Laboratory Manual Harmonisation Committee (LMHC) standards published in 2005 “Padparadscha sapphire is a variety of corundum from any geographical origin whose colour is a subtle mixture of pinkish-orange to orangey pink with pastel tones and low to medium saturation when viewed in standard daylight.