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This sector plays a vital role in our economy, contributing immensely in earning foreign exchange and providing employment opportunities. The industry’s potential for value addition, profitability and employment generation is high but remains untapped to a large extent. Gems and Jewellery sector consists of three major segments namely Gems, Diamonds and Jewellery. In gemstones, Sri Lanka retains a world market position as a producer of fine quality gems. Sri Lanka has some of the greatest varieties of gems in the world. Despite its relatively small size, it is easy to imagine the density of gems found in Sri Lanka. Gems & jewellery sector has accounted for 6.5% of the total exports in 2006.
The following strategies have been proposed to improve the competitiveness of the gems and jewellery industry;
- Establish a world-class, internationally affiliated the Gemstone Testing Laboratory (GTL) for certification and research
- Establish a regionally recognized free-standing Gem & Jewellery Training Institute (GJTI) affiliated to a leading international training institute
- Launch an international sapphire promotion campaign to brand differentiate the industry in Sri Lanka through a branding programme for Ceylon Sapphire
- Complete the National Gem Deposit Survey
- Improve the Regulatory framework – better import export and taxation procedures, better mining and land use guidelines and policy, rationalization of government provided services such as training
Sri Lanka is gifted with over 150 varieties of gems available. The major gemstones available are: Sapphire, rube, star stones, alexandrite, topaz, chrysoberyl, spinel, zircon, quartz and moonstone.
Some of the major locations and types of gems found are given in Box-1.
Distribution of Gemstones in Sri Lanka
Location
Types of gems found
Ambilipitiya
All varieties of gems
Agalawatta
Alexandrite
Avissawella
All varieties of corundum
Mineral including Geuda, Zircon
Badulla (Passara)
Sapphire and Geuda
Balangoda
Blue sapphire, Yellow sapphire, White sapphire, Rube, Geuda
Deniyaya
Alexandrite
Eheliyagoda
Blue sapphire, yellow sapphire, Ruby and Geuda
Elahera
Pyrope garnet and Zircon
Horana
Chrysoberyl cat’s eye, Alexandrite, Zircon and Geuda
Kataragama
Hessonite and Pyrope garnet, Sapphire and Garnet
Kuruwita
Sapphire
Matale (Rattota)
Topaz
Meetiyagoda
Moonstone
Monoragala
Sapphire and Geuda
Nivithigala
Geuda and most other Gems
Okkampitiya
Blue sapphire, Yellow Sapphire and Geuda
Pelmadulla
Geuda, Star sapphire, Star rube and other Gems
Polonnaruwa
Garnets, Star sapphire, yellow sapphire and ruby
Ratnapura
Almost all gems
Wellawaya
Colour change Garnet
Total exports of Gems and Jewellery industry which includes gems, jewellery and diamonds stood at US$ 447 mn in 2006, a growth of 12% as compared to 2005. The processed diamond accounted for 67% of total exports.
Source : EDB
Belgium has accounted for 51% of the total export and followed by USA 11%, Thailand 7% and Israel 5%.
