Morning: Rituals, Tools & Teamwork

The day begins before sunrise. Miners, often barefoot or wearing simple rubber boots, gather at sites known as “illama”, located near riverbanks or forest clearings. Many of these operations are small, family-owned ventures where generations work side by side.

Before the first shovel hits the earth, a moment of quiet reverence unfolds—miners bow their heads in a ritual prayer to give thanks to the land, seeking blessings for a fruitful day.

Midday: Traditional Techniques in Action

By mid-morning, shafts up to 20–30 feet deep are dug using age-old tools—shovels, ropes, buckets, and wooden sieves. The focus is on extracting a gravel layer known as “illam”, which holds the highest likelihood of containing gems.

Once brought to the surface, the gravel is washed in nearby streams. Under the play of sunlight, trained eyes can identify potential gems—tiny flashes of color signaling sapphires, garnets, or spinels.

Lunch is simple: rice and curry shared under shady trees or tarpaulin shelters. Despite the physical demands, laughter and storytelling bind the miners together, even when the day’s haul is modest.

Evening: Sorting, Trading, and Hope

At sunset, the day’s findings are carefully cleaned, sorted, and evaluated. Many stones may be cloudy, fractured, or too small, but even a single vibrant sapphire or fiery spinel can change a family’s fortune.

The gems are then either sold to local buyers, examined by dealers, or passed through the supply chain—eventually reaching auctions in Colombo, Bangkok, or even New York.

More Than Mining: A Living Heritage

Gem mining in Ratnapura represents resilience, skill, and heritage. Most miners have no formal training; their expertise comes from observation, intuition, and years of hands-on experience.

They are the unsung heroes behind Sri Lanka’s place on the global gem map—caretakers of natural beauty and tradition.

Our Ethical Sourcing Commitment

At OKI Ceylon, we honor the heritage of Ratnapura by forging direct, ethical partnerships with local miners. We ensure:

• Fair compensation

• Safe working environments

• Sustainable mining practices

Every gemstone we offer is a reflection of human dedication and earth’s legacy—a story worth sharing and preserving.