The Gemological Science International (GSI) Colored Stone Professional (CSP) Diploma programme recently offered its students an immersive field experience at Sri Lanka’s Rakwana Gem Deposit, one of the world’s most celebrated sources of fine gemstones. The visit, part of GSI’s hands-on approach to gem education, exposed students to mining, processing, and trading practices, bridging classroom learning with real-world industry insights.

The Rakwana region, located in Sri Lanka’s Ratnapura District, is globally recognised for its sapphires, chrysoberyl, spinel, and tourmaline. Students observed mechanised mining on agricultural lands, manual gravel sorting techniques, and gem recovery processes, gaining an in-depth understanding of how raw stones are extracted and prepared for the market.

“Experiencing gemstones at their source is invaluable,” said Ramit Kapur, MD of GSI India. “Sri Lanka provides a perfect learning environment, where students can witness the journey of a gemstone from mine to market and appreciate the intricate processes that determine its value.”

The visit extended to the Karawita Mining Area, where students studied both artisanal and mechanised methods and observed traditional Geuda sapphire heat treatments in Ratnapura. They also toured the bustling gem markets of Ratnapura and Beruwala, interacting with traders to understand pricing, negotiation, and international trade dynamics.

At the Beruwala Gem Cutting Workshop, students gained first-hand insight into how precision cutting, clarity, and colour impact gemstone valuation, reinforcing lessons learned in the classroom.

“Classroom theory lays the foundation, but observing mining, processing, and trading up close provides a perspective that cannot be taught in textbooks alone,” noted Meenu Vyas, Chief Global Gemologist & GSI Education Centre.

The CSP programme in Jaipur continues to combine rigorous academic learning with practical exposure, covering over 1,000 gemstone varieties, hands-on cutting workshops, and guest lectures from industry leaders. By integrating experiential learning into the curriculum, GSI equips students with the expertise, ethical awareness, and industry insight required to become future leaders in the global gemstone sector.