SOME WORDS ABOUT US

Our Story of Expertise and Passion

We love what we do

Our passion for gemstones drives us to provide the highest quality and most exquisite pieces. We are dedicated to offering our customers only the best, ensuring satisfaction in every gem.

Our working process

Every gemstone is carefully selected and crafted with precision, ensuring that each piece tells its own unique story. We prioritize quality, attention to detail, and customer satisfaction in every step of our process.

Our Story

At Herbert Ranaweera Gem Emporium and Academy, our journey is built on over four decades of passion, dedication, and craftsmanship in Sri Lanka’s proud gem and jewellery industry.

After retiring from the Gem & Jewellery Research and Training Institute, I founded my own institute and business to continue the work I love—teaching the next generation and sharing my lifetime of experience. Today, I conduct face-to-face gemmology courses in both Colombo and Ratnapura, helping students gain real, hands-on expertise in the heart of Sri Lanka’s gem fields.

My career began in 1976 when I joined the State Gem Corporation as an Apprentice. Over the years, I served in the State Gem Corporation, the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, and the Gem & Jewellery Research and Training Institute in a variety of roles. With more than 40 years of continuous service, I have had the privilege of training over 8,000 students in Sri Lanka and abroad, including in Tanzania.

I am honoured to have represented Sri Lanka on several international tours and demonstrations, showcasing our country’s gem-cutting heritage to the world.

What I Do

With deep technical knowledge and decades of practical experience,

I train students in:

  • Gem cutting and polishing
  • Colour grading and gem marketing
  • Identification and valuation of rough and cut gemstones
  • Conducting seminars, workshops, and hands-on practical training

Work Experience

  • Visiting Lecturer – University of Moratuwa
  • Visiting Lecturer – Gem & Jewellery Research and Training Institute, Ratnapura
  • Retired Assistant Research Training Officer, Gem & Jewellery Research and Training Institute
  • Over 40 years of service at the Institute (formerly State Gem Corporation) in multiple professional roles
  • Master Gem Cutter at Crystalline Ltd, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania (1994–1996), representing State Gem Corporation

Achievements & Highlights

  • Awarded for 20 years of outstanding service to Sri Lanka’s gem institutions
  • Represented Sri Lanka as a Gem Cutting Demonstrator at:
    • Singapore Food Festival “A Passage to Paradise” (1988)
    • Sri Lanka–Japan 50th Bilateral Relations Celebration, Japan (2002)
  • Led the pre-shaping, cutting, and polishing of “Silumina”, the Pinnacle of Mirisavetiya Chetiya, Anuradhapura (1991)
  • Highly commended by Crystalline Ltd, Tanzania, for professionalism and skill (1996)
  • Conducted a specialised workshop for disabled soldiers of The Gemunu Watch, Ratnapura (2011)

Continuing the Legacy

Through Herbert Ranaweera Gem Emporium and Academy, my mission is to preserve the timeless art of Sri Lankan gem cutting and to pass this knowledge to future generations. Every student I teach—and every gemstone I touch—carries forward the passion and craftsmanship that have shaped my life’s work.