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GEM MINING TOURS

Gems or precious stones are one of the famous popular minerals in the world. Gems are precious because of the rarity.

It is being evaluated under concept called C 5. They are, * colour, clarity, cut, carrot, certificate.

. Durability, rarity, beauty are the reasons that lends value to a Gem.

Ancient times Sri Lanka was called as ‘’ Rathna Deepa’’. Rathna means Gems and Deepa for island.

All the Gem deposits in Sri Lanka originated during the PRE-Cambria Era. That is 2500 million years ago.

When we study history we can see many documentary records written about Sri Lankan Gems.

• Ptolomy the astronomer who lived in the 2nd century had stated that Sri Lanka was a main place as regards Gems.

• Marco polo who visited Sri Lanka in the 13th century had mentioned that this island produce best Sapphires.

• Robert knoxs an English prisoner also wrote about Sri Lankan Gems in his book called ‘’An historical relation of the island Ceylon ‘’

• Sigiriya one of the world heritage sites in Sri Lanka is famous for its ancient paintings or frescos, which are drawn in the 5th century. The ladies of the frescoes are wearing Gems studded necklaces and bangles.
  From this evidence we can tell Sri Lanka is flourish with Gems.
  Blue sapphire is Sri LANKA’s Gem supreme and her Sapphires are the finest in the world. Have you seen? Princess Diana wore a ring with a blue stone... Yes it’s a Sri Lankan blue sapphire.
  Ruby, Garnets, Amethyst, Topaz, Citrine, Moonstone, Tourmaline are some of Gems that found in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is home to nearly 75 varieties Gems.
  The name ‘Tourmaline ‘ is form from the Sinhalese word ‘’Thoramalli ‘’
  Sri Lanka is a small country but with a large collection of Gems.
  During your visit in Sri Lanka you can visit a site of a Gem mining and a lapidary and explore engraving, cutting and polishing of Gems.
  There is a saying ‘’buying a gem is like an investment. Because the value of it never goes down.
  If somebody willing to buy a Gem, Sri Lanka is the place for that.

ART AND CRAFT TOURS 

When the art and craft meet together it is called handicraft. Handicrafts are creations, made by people using their hands and basic tools. These often have cultural values.
Sri Lanka is famous for handicrafts. It has a long history. The oldest craft that found in Sri lanka is a pot with decorations. It is more than 3000 years old and proven by carbon 14 test.

Normally the crafts are made from wood, fabric, clay, metal, paper, cane and bamboo.
In sri lankan kitchens they use pottery wares for cooking. Not only for cooking wares, ornaments also made out from clay. When you visit a pottery house you can see how they turn a lump of clay in to a beautiful vase in few seconds by using the pottery wheel.

Batik is another very attractive craft, one can see in Sri Lanka. It’s a long process and doing by the ladies mostly. It is very interesting to see how they draw a design on fabric and applying colours with using wax. Cotton is the material used in batik printing and it’s very soft for the human body.

Renda lace weaving introduce to Sri Lanka by Portuguese. Southern part of the country is famous for this product. When you visit the Galle Dutch Fort you can see ladies weaving Renda lace by using bobbins.
If somebody ask what is the most popular handicraft in Sri Lanka. Answer is Masks that made from light wood.

History of the masks go back to the hundred years back. Masks highly associate with culture and traditions.
Making masks is a traditional industry which nice to explore.
Carving and painting should be done carefully. colours used here, express main idea of the mask.

Ambalangoda situated in southern province is famous area for this industry. Visit a mask factory there and see how nice these masks.

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