Memoirs of a Gem Miner

Earlier this week I was browsing my mind for blog-worthy topics, and had the brilliant idea of doing an informal interview with my Grandpa. My Grandpa, is a retired gem mine owner and operator, and was born and raised in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka. Ratnapura - famously known as the ‘city of gems’, is the gem trading hub of Sri Lanka.

We had a wonderful conversation about his involvement in gem mining in Ratnapura during the mid to late 1900s - period where he actively operated mines.

Wanasundara Muhandiramalage Gunawardana Wanasundara

My grandpa Wanasundara Muhandiramalage Gunawardana Wanasundara turned 90 this year. He was an Academic professionally, started as a teacher ('School Master' as they were referred to those days), and retired as an Academic Administrator at the Ratnapura School District. One of the most honorable people I know, my Grandpa is humble to the core and isa highly respected pillar of his village community.

Grandpa was formally introduced to gemstone mining at the age of 14, training at his father’s mines after school, and during his school vacations. Gem mining and Agriculture were the more prevalent industries in Ratnapura when he was growing up. As landowners, my grandpa’s family both mined and farmed, he also continued his education.

In the 1940s he met my dearest, late grandma Weragama Arachchillage Subarathna Menike Gunawardana, and they had four children together.

Gem Mining in Ratnapura 1930 - 1970:

There were several methods of mining in Ratnapura, the method employed depended on the nature of the gem bearing rock i.e. open pits, tunnels/shafts, river digging etc.

My grandpa is familiar with several of the methods, underground mining (tunnels/shafts) he says was the most commonly used method. According to him, although considered ‘primitive’ mining techniques of those days were quite effective. The stability and productivity of the mine depended on how it was excavated, constructed and maintained. All mines were excavated and constructed by hand using primitive, simple tools. Those engaged in the trade, had specific training and experience that today’s miners lack. Today’s miners depend on more advanced machines and technology according to grandpa.

Mine shafts were held on by a very particular type of wood - they didn’t use just any wood. Rubber, Gum Trees and Bamboo were accepted. And a certain species of fern was used to finish the inside walls of the shafts. They used material that was available in their environment - all bio-degradable material.

Grandpa emphasized the importance of executing precise mining techniques, because the techniques set forth and passed down generations were purposeful, tried and tested. Countless innocent miners have lost their lives due to poorly constructed mine shafts collapsing, he added.

He also cautioned about other dangers and threats involved in mining i.e. encountering poisonous wild plants and animals such as scorpions, serpents, cobras etc. He recalled losing one of his best miners and apprentices to bees. His apprentice supposedly was stung by bees while he was out collecting wild ferns in the woods. Another common danger in very deep tunnels underground, is the release of toxic inflammable gases. Breathing in this toxic air could cause irreparable respiratory issues, or even kill. Further, if there's any source of fire exposed to these gases, an explosion could occur underground burying the tunnel. Therefore it is extremely important that the miners are experienced and cautious he added.

Because my Grandpa belonged to the last generation of British governed Ceylon, I also inquired about that era - it seems the miners didn’t require a license nor a permit to mine during the British colonial days unlike today. According to grandpa, the British didn’t interfere at all - the British East India Company is supposed to have acquired gems at auctions and from gem traders, but not from miners.

Grandpa also added that the people of Ratnapura, even the younger generations are spiritual. Despite their religious beliefs, all those who mined sought the blessings of the Maha Saman Devalaya prior to engaging in mining business. Maha Saman Devalya situated in Ratnapura is a temple dedicated to the deity ‘Saman’ - one of the guardian gods of Sri Lanka. If any of the mines made profits, a portion of these profits were offered to the Temple. No one dared skip this ritual.

Memorable Gem stones:

The1960s was when grandpa was most actively mining, his mines produced two of the largest gems stones he’d ever sold - a Blue Sapphire weighing over 100 carats and an even larger six rayed Blue Star Sapphire weighing over 200 carats. Both the stones were recovered within 12 feet from the surface, not too far below he said. He unfortunately didn’t have any pictures of these two stones. They were sold in the rough, he didn’t see them after they were fashioned into jewelry quality stones.

He also remembers unearthing many rare stones including Alexandrite, Chrysoberyl Cat’s Eye, many Tourmalines (he said all colors of the rainbow), perfect corundum crystals, Padparadschas and many fancy Sapphires.

Gem Mining - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly:

Grandpa gradually moved out of mining due to many reasons. Primary reason being that the mines in Ratnapura weren’t producing like they used to, therefore not profitable like they once were. Mining in general was more costly due to new machinery and higher labor costs.

The other reason being, the corrupt and treacherous nature of the mining business and communities. He, like many involved in mining have experienced betrayal and duplicity in one way or the other. Because finding a gem is like winning a lottery, there’s much greed and corruption surrounding gem mining.

Corruption and treachery comes in many forms, whether it be the miners stealing from the mine owners, or operating partners stealing from each other. In my grandpa’s case it was one very painful incident that pushed him to halt all mining activities. It was treachery among his family members. He said the heartache that comes with this business was not worth the profits from gems. Due to the scarcity of high quality gems, the corruption continues to grow he said.

Nevertheless, he concluded by adding there were more positive memories from his mining past than the isolated negative experiences, which in hindsight is a part of any trade, any occupation.

Photo credits: Dharshana De Silva Photography