Meetiyagoda Moonstone Mine

Sri Lanka is world famous for its gems and jewellery. From the blue sapphires that have adorned the engagement ring of Princess Kate Middleton to the necklace that actress Kate Winslet wore in the movie Titanic, Sri Lankan gems have made their mark in the world. But that is not all as there are loads of gems and semi precious stones of various color and value available in this country. Amongst these diverse jewelry moonstones also take a special place and they are in high demand as birth stones as well as shingle that have various properties that bring good luck to its wearers and bearers.

If it is semi precious stones and gems that interest a traveler Meetiyagoda Moonstone Mine in southern part of the island is indeed a must visit site. This town is located in between Hikkaduwa and Ambalangoda towns along the southern coast of the country. For anyone interested in finding out more about mining it is an ideal place to go and even for families with children it would be an educational experience. Meetiyagoda is one place that is famed for moonstones and the small patch of land has a very high concentration of these semi precious shingles that are in high demand for a number of reasons. The villagers in the region believe that the region has been blessed by the moon to have such a high concentration of the shingle in the area.  

Moonstones are both smooth and cool when one touches it and has a grayish color to it until it is cut and polished when it shines like the moon, thus gaining its name. Visitors to the mining area can not only watch the process but even take part in the activity to a certain extent. There is also an information centre which provides info that is required by the visitors.

Visitors at numerous Sri lanka beach hotels such as The Palm Beruwala can surely pay a visit to this place as well as enjoying the other attractions in the region such as the beaches, wildlife, dolphin and whale watching and historical sites. For the guests at Beruwala hotels there are endless things to explore in the area.