The land of the finest sapphires, cat's eyes, alexandrites, spinels, star sapphires, garnets, aquamarines, amethysts, topazes, tourmalines, and many other gem varieties.   

Throughout history, Sri Lanka has been known as a land of gems. King Solomon was said to have procured a great ruby from Ceylon for the queen of Sheba. Marco Polo (1293 AD) wrote about the ruby that once graced the Ruwanweliseya Dagoba at Anuradhapura..." a flawless ruby a span long and quite as thick as a man's fist." Sri Lanka has produced three of the world's largest blue sapphires, including the 'Blue Bell', which adorns the British crown, and the 'Star of India,' displayed at the New York Museum of Natural History.

Ratnapura, a charming town engulfed by tropical greens, translates as the "city of gems," the locality where most of the gem mining is done. Ratnapura lies 101 Km Southeast of Colombo. The scenic route takes you past paddy fields, rubber plantations, and tea estates. The town is situated at the foot of the 2243-meter-high Adam's Peak. All four major religions claim Adam's Peak as a holy mountain.  Buddhists call the mountain Sri Pada ("the Sacred Footprint") or Samanalakande (Butterfly Mountain) and believe the Lord Buddha has visited the mountain and set his holy footprint. Hindus say it's Lord Shivas', and Muslims believe that it is the place where Adam first set foot on earth after being cast out of heaven. Catholics say it is of St. Thomas' the Christian Apostle who preached in South India.  Ratnapura is also the starting point for the 'Classic' Hard route up Adam's Peak via Gilimale and Carney estate.                    (Photo By Rehman Abubakr)