New event pairs a three-day expedition through Sri Lanka’s gem mining regions with an international conference and the country’s first public hands-on gem-cutting workshop
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – July 30, 2026 – Ceylon Gem Chronicles today announced Ceylon Gemlogue ’26, a three-part event bringing gemologists, collectors, and jewelry industry professionals to Sri Lanka this September for direct access to the island’s gem trade, from mine to market. Running 24 to 28 September, the program includes a multi-day expedition through the country’s gem mining regions, an international conference in Colombo, and a hands-on gem-cutting workshop described by organizers as the first of its kind held in Sri Lanka. The Signature Collection is the event’s official travel partner.
A Living Gem Heritage
Sri Lanka has been known since antiquity as Ratnadeepa, the Island of Gems, and remains one of the world’s most significant sources of fine gemstones. It is best known for its blue sapphires, among the most prized in the world for their clarity and distinctive violet-blue color, alongside the rare padparadscha sapphire, prized for its unique pink-orange hue, plus yellow, pink, white and star sapphires. The island also produces ruby, cat’s-eye and alexandrite chrysoberyl, spinel, zircon, garnet, tourmaline, topaz and moonstone, including the blue moonstone associated with the Meetiyagoda region. Ratnapura, whose name translates to “City of Gems,” remains the center of the island’s traditional gem mining and craftsmanship, and is one of the stops on the Gemlogue Expedition.
The Expedition: 24–26 September
The Gemlogue Expedition takes participants through four locations central to Sri Lanka’s gem industry and natural heritage: the mining city of Ratnapura, where visitors can view active gem mining sites and the city’s gem markets; Yala National Park, for a wildlife safari; the UNESCOlisted Galle Fort; and Beruwala, one of Sri Lanka’s principal gem trading hubs. Accommodation throughout the expedition is at Amari Colombo, Shangri La Hambantota, and Cinnamon Bey Beruwala, with private English-speaking guides and transport provided throughout.
The Conference: 27 September
The Gemlogue Conference takes place at ITC Ratnadipa, Colombo, the event’s hospitality partner, and features keynote sessions from an international speaker lineup: Victor Tuzlukov, a master lapidary artist and multiple Guinness World Record holder in gemstone cutting whose work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian, the Louvre, and the Vatican Museums; Katerina Perez, a high jewellery and precious gems specialist; Peter Lyckberg, an explorer, geologist, and mineral author; Justin K. Prim, a gem cutter and author returning as a speaker after Gemlogue 2025; and Mubashir Mansoor, a materials scientist researching gemstone treatments and crystal engineering. The conference day closes with an exclusive VVIP dinner for attendees.
The Workshop: 28 September
The Gemlogue Workshop is a hands-on masterclass in gem cutting led by Victor Tuzlukov, with a guest session from Justin K. Prim on the science of gem cutting. Organizers describe it as the first workshop of its kind held in Sri Lanka. “We’ve spent years designing journeys that get travelers past the surface of Sri Lanka, so Ceylon Gemlogue felt like a natural fit. Sri Lanka’s gem heritage is something you have to see firsthand to really understand, the mines, the markets, the people who’ve worked these stones for generations. We wanted our travelers to walk through that, not just hear about it.” – David Gomes, Co-Founder & Director, The Signature Collection
Travel and Booking
SriLankan Airlines is the event’s official airline partner, offering fares discounted up to 20% for travel booked through the official promotion. Travelers who register before 20 August 2026 receive an additional 10% early-bird discount on the full package (code TSCGEM10). Full itinerary and registration details are available at register.ceylongemlogue.com.
About Ceylon Gemlogue ’26
Ceylon Gemlogue ’26 is presented by Ceylon Gem Chronicles as “A Cultural Celebration of Ceylon Gems.” The event is endorsed by the Ceylon Gem and Jewellery Traders Association (CGJTA), Gem Sri Lanka, the Lanka Gem Dealers and Miners Association, and the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association, with ITC Ratnadipa Colombo as hospitality partner, SriLankan Airlines as airline partner, and The Signature Collection as travel partner.
About The Signature Collection
The Signature Collection was born from the shared vision of three friends, David Gomes, Johan, and Chamith, who bring over 30 years of combined expertise to crafting personalized journeys across Sri Lanka. The company designs bespoke travel experiences that blend luxury, authenticity, and personalization, connecting travelers with the island’s culture, landscapes, and people while ensuring the highest level of comfort and service. The Signature Collection is the official travel partner for Ceylon Gemlogue ’26.
Media Contact
David Gomes
Co-Founder | Director, The Signature Collection
partners@tscsl.com | +94 77 997 0586 (phone) | +33 6 12 32 17 25 (WhatsApp) | tscsl.com