Beruwala | Pathe Gem Market
In Beruwala the gem trading area is also known as China Fort, named after Chinese traders who settled there about 300 years ago. From the past to the present Beruwala has produced many famous gem cutters and traders. As a result of this today ‘Pathe’, the gem market in China Fort, Beruwala is one of the leading gem traders market in Sri Lanka. The market is very busy, with dealers crowding the street over a two-block area. There are up to 5,000 dealers in the street and offices at any one time.
On a daily basis the bazaar is active from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm, with thousands of people coming to ‘Pathe’ gem market. Buyers from all parts of Sri Lanka as well as USA, India, Japan, UK, Germany, France, China, Indonesia and Thailand come here to make their purchases.
Majority of the merchants do business on the street, there are over 200 air-conditioned offices also located in both sides of the street, making it easier for buyers and sellers to trade premium stones. Despite the market is highly active with millions of dollars worth gems being traded every day, there has been no safety concerns encountered so far in the streets of “Pathe” gem market, hence the market has been also regarded as one of the safest open gem markets in the world.
Almost the entire neighbourhood of China Fort has been in the gem trade for generations. Much of the gem world’s coloured precious stones are traded through these merchants, China Fort is the largest market in Sri Lanka for cut and polished stones. It is where the gem merchants are highly concentrated for generations hence act as the gem trading hub connecting buyers and sellers from different parts of the world bringing varied types of gemstones mined from different parts of the Sri Lanka and add value to these stones by cutting and polishing to suffice the need of any locals, jewellers, or International buyers and collectors.
New consumer markets such as China have revitalized gem trading in Sri Lanka. This has led to increased imports from global sources, while fueling the need for Sri Lankan dealers’ expertise and experience to satisfy the demands of Chinese manufacturing and domestic consumption. Also, in Beruwala there are plenty of hotels available for guests so they can engage in gemstone business leisurely. And especially due to the influx of Chinese buyers there are plenty of Chinese food shops for them to indulge in their own cuisine.
The ‘Pathe’ gem market is famous for trading offices where International buyers & collectors visit, most of the buyers physically visit here not only to see a particular type of stone. But also see the variety of other stones. A buyer who comes looking for a Blue sapphire will get to see other types of gemstones such as Yellow sapphire, Pink sapphire, Green sapphire, Purple sapphire, Orange sapphire, Padparadscha, Ruby, Tsavorite, Alexandrite, Spinel, Garnet, Cat’s eye, Star sapphire, etc unlike in other Gem and Jewllery exhibitions. At any given day a buyer can find any type of stone from small to medium to masterpiece in the market. The market is not only famous among many nations for fair pricing, but also, honest traders. Further, there are many certified and recognized gem laboratories to provide certifications.
Many of the foreign buyers seek the guidance of a trusted local dealer who would have other dealers bring in goods for sale. These trusted dealers would also be consulted for quality, price, and the potential for recutting and further heating. Ceylon Blue Gems would be happy to be your trusted party to act as an agent to do trading and put you in touch with local suppliers for all your gemstone needs including negotiating and advising.
Most of the trade is usually between Sri Lankan dealers, but there are also some foreign buyers. Dealing takes place in the street as well as in the offices. Ceylon Blue Gems invites buyers to directly come to China Fort to do trading. The market is also open for International buyers where they can acquire valuable stones such as Sri Lankan Blue, Yellow, Pink, Padparadscha, Violet, sapphires, Emeralds Mozambique, Burmese Tanzania rubies and Blue sapphires, Kashmir Blue sapphires, Somali, Kenyan Tsavorite, and Spinals, Garnets of various sorts, Alexandrite, Aquamarines, Topaz, Tourmaline etc. from different parts of the world. China Fort has direct sources for world almost all the mines in the world. The locals travel all the locations that displays the rough stones, buys and process them in China Fort to be sold locally or to be exported.