Sri Lanka is one of the world's great gem sources. How to buy with confidence, what NGJA certification means, and how gems are legally exported by traders and visitors.
For more than two thousand years Sri Lanka — historically known as Ratnadeepa, the "island of gems" — has been celebrated for its gemstones. Ceylon blue sapphires are among the most admired in the world, and the island also produces padparadscha, star sapphires, cat's-eye chrysoberyl, spinel, garnet and the soft, glowing moonstone. Buying well comes down to knowledge, documentation and legal export.
The regulator: NGJA
The National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) regulates the industry. It:
- licenses gem dealers, lapidaries and jewellery manufacturers
- operates gem testing laboratories that issue identification reports
- inspects and values gems for export together with Sri Lanka Customs
For a buyer, an NGJA link is the most important sign that you are dealing within the legal system.
Buying with confidence
- Buy from licensed dealers. Ask for the dealer's NGJA licence details.
- Get a laboratory report. For significant stones, obtain an identification report confirming the species, whether the stone is natural or synthetic, and any treatment. For high-value sapphires, many buyers also obtain a report from an internationally recognised laboratory.
- Understand treatments. Heat treatment of sapphires is common and accepted, but it significantly affects value. Unheated stones command a premium, so the report should say which you are buying.
- Compare carefully. Colour, clarity, cut and carat weight all drive value. Be wary of prices that seem too good to be true.
- Get a proper invoice showing the description, weight and price. You will need it for export and at home customs.
How gems are exported
All gem exports pass through NGJA and Customs inspection.
Commercial exporters need an NGJA gem dealer's licence. Consignments are declared to Customs, examined and valued by NGJA valuers and Customs gem appraisers, sealed, and sent by air cargo or courier under bond.
Visitors buying gems can hand-carry them out of the country. The purchase must be declared and processed under NGJA and Customs procedures, and faster options exist for high-value purchases. Buying from reputable dealers who handle this paperwork for you makes the process straightforward.
Jewellery exports and diamond cutting have their own licence categories.
Moonstones: Sri Lanka's quiet gem
Sri Lankan moonstone is prized for adularescence — the soft blue light that seems to float beneath the surface. The finest stones show a strong blue sheen on a nearly transparent body. They are affordable compared with sapphires, which makes them popular for jewellery collections and gifting. As with any gem, a certificate confirming that the stone is natural adds confidence.
How Arwa Lanka helps
We source certified gems through licensed dealers, arrange laboratory reports and manage legal export for trade buyers and collectors. Our natural Ceylon blue moonstones come with NGJA certification. For sapphires or trade volumes, contact us.
This article is general information and not investment advice. Gem values vary widely; always obtain an independent laboratory report for significant purchases.
Sources: Sri Lanka Export Development Board — Gem export procedures · Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association — Import and export process