- No 41,Ganemulla Road Kandana.
- +94 77 628 1732
- joceylon@gmail.com
In 1998, our visionary founder, Mr. Mendis, began an automotive business in Zambia, where he soon partnered with a talented local friend, known affectionately as “Uncle Oma,” who brought deep technical expertise from his work in the mines. Together, they embarked on a new venture: buying and selling gems across Zambia. Their shared ambition led them to explore opportunities in gem mining, eventually leading them to a promising mining site available for acquisition from its retiring owners.
After obtaining the necessary mining license from the Zambian government, Mr. Mendis and Uncle Oma officially launched operations in 2013, and within the first month, they uncovered aquamarine gems. This discovery sparked Mr. Mendis’s vision for a broader business with international potential. Reaching out to a trusted Japanese friend Mr. Koizumi who is a gem enthusiast, Mr. Mendis proposed an investment in a unique operation where raw gems from Zambia would be refined in Sri Lanka—a nation with a rich gem heritage. With enthusiasm, his Japanese partner visited Zambia to review the operation and soon agreed to invest.
In Sri Lanka, Mr. Mendis, alongside his family members Mr. Surain and Ms. Thanuja, joined forces with Mr. Koizumi to establish Jewel of Ceylon Investments (Pvt) Ltd. Their vision was to transform Zambian gems into high-quality jewelry, with the company’s name drawing inspiration from Sri Lanka’s legacy as the ‘Jewel of the Indian Ocean.’ Notably, Mr. Mendis had already used ‘Ceylon’—the colonial name for Sri Lanka—in the name of his Zambian business. The team established a corporate office in Colombo’s esteemed World Trade Center, bringing their vision to life through a partnership with Mr. Sunith, an expert gemologist and skilled gem cutter. Under his guidance, Jewel of Ceylon upheld the highest standards of craftsmanship, celebrating Sri Lanka’s gem artistry. Over two years, the company gained recognition from local and international clients alike, building a reputation for quality and excellence.
Despite its early success, the COVID-19 pandemic brought challenges, leading to a temporary downsizing of operations in Sri Lanka. However, Mr. Mendis remains committed to revitalizing and expanding the company’s presence, with a focus on strengthening trade ties between Zambia and Sri Lanka. Today, Jewel of Ceylon is dedicated to resuming its mission with a renewed focus on quality, sustainability, and international partnerships, positioning itself as a trusted and prominent player in the global gem and jewelry industry.
Sri Lanka has a rich and storied history in gemology that dates back over 2,000 years, making it one of the world's oldest and most famous sources of precious stones. Known as the “Gem Island” or “Ratna Dweepa” in Sanskrit, the country has been a leading source of high-quality gems sought by royalty, traders, and collectors worldwide
Sri Lanka’s gem history is closely tied to its geographic location along ancient maritime trade routes. Gems from Sri Lanka were highly prized by the Egyptians, Persians, Romans, and Greeks. Historical accounts, such as those by the explorer Marco Polo in the 13th century, describe the island’s stunning stones. Precious stones like sapphires, rubies, garnets, and moonstones were mined, polished, and traded, contributing to the island’s reputation as a source of rare and exotic gemstones.
According to legend, Sri Lanka’s reputation as a “Treasure Island” can be traced back to the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana, which references the land as blessed with a wealth of precious stones. Sri Lankan gems, particularly the coveted blue sapphires, gained legendary status and were believed to have mystical and healing properties, further enhancing their allure.
During the colonial era, Portuguese, Dutch, and British explorers were drawn to Sri Lanka for its mineral wealth, particularly gems. The British colonial period saw an expansion of gem mining and an organized approach to extracting stones, particularly in areas such as Ratnapura, the "City of Gems." Ratnapura remains the heart of Sri Lanka's gem industry, producing world-renowned blue sapphires, star sapphires, cat’s-eye chrysoberyl, and garnets.
With the establishment of more formalized trade routes in the 19th century, Sri Lankan gems gained global exposure. The iconic “Blue Belle of Asia,” one of the largest blue sapphires ever mined, was discovered in Sri Lanka in the early 20th century, later becoming part of British royal collections. This and other significant finds solidified the island’s standing in the international gem industry.
In recent years, Sri Lanka’s gem industry has expanded, supported by cutting-edge gemological research, sustainable mining practices, and international collaborations. Today, Sri Lanka is among the world's top sources of blue sapphires, rubies, and padparadscha sapphires. Gems such as the “Logan Sapphire” and the “Star of Lanka” are housed in museums, showcasing the country's exceptional mineral wealth and cementing its reputation for producing high-quality, ethically sourced stones.
The Sri Lankan government and gemological institutes have taken steps to protect the authenticity and quality of Sri Lankan gems, promoting them at international gem and jewelry exhibitions. Gems continue to be a significant contributor to the country’s economy, attracting global buyers and reinforcing Sri Lanka’s legacy as a preeminent source of natural gemstones.
This long heritage not only connects Sri Lanka to ancient traditions of gem trading but also continues to shape its future as a global leader in high-quality, responsibly mined gemstones.
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