A Color Guide to Sri Lanka’s Naturally Mined Gemstones
Hey everyone! Sri Lanka (historically known as Ratnadeepa, or the "Island of Gems" or Ceylon) is home to unique metamorphic rock formations and ancient alluvial deposits that naturally produce a breathtaking spectrum of colored gemstones.
If you’re looking strictly for 100% naturally occurring Ceylon gems, here is a quick breakdown arranged by color:
Blue: Blue Sapphire (Ceylon Sapphire) – The island’s undisputed flagship gem, famous for its electric Cornflower Blue and majestic Royal Blue tones.
Red: Natural Ruby & Red Spinel – Natural rubies (red corundum) with subtle pinkish-red hues alongside brilliant, high-refractive Red Spinels.
Yellow: Yellow Sapphire & Citrine – Natural yellow sapphires ranging from bright lemon to rich golden tones , as well as golden-yellow quartz (Citrine).
Green: Green Tourmaline & Green Zircon – Native green tourmalines and natural zircons featuring exceptional fire and luster.
Purple: Purple Spinel & Amethyst – Deep natural violet quartz (Amethyst) and collector-grade Purple Spinels.
Earth Brown & Cinnamon: Hessonite Garnet – Known historically as the "Cinnamon Stone" in Ceylon’s gem trade, featuring deep brownish-orange to honey-yellow tones.
Pink & Salmon-Orange: Padparadscha Sapphire – Extremely rare and coveted, defined by its delicate marriage of natural salmon-pink and orange hues unique to Sri Lankan geology
