Beruwala and China Fort: the gem cutting and trading hub
· GemColony
Where it is
Beruwala is in the Kalutara District on the south-west coast, about an hour or two south of Colombo depending on traffic. Nearby Aluthgama, Kalutara and Bentota share the coast road.
China Fort
Behind Beruwala lies the China Fort enclave, which is home to several thousand gem traders. The name is a puzzle, since it is not a fort and its link to China is uncertain. Travel and trade accounts describe a long Muslim trading community in the area. Some accounts describe regular open-air trading days, but check current timings locally before you travel.
What happens here
Beruwala is known for cutting, polishing, treating and trading stones, much of it sapphire and other Sri Lankan gems, and for sales to exporters and overseas visitors.
Buying here
As anywhere, ask about origin and treatment, insist on being able to examine the stone under good light, and use a laboratory report for valuable pieces. Pay by traceable means and keep a record of every purchase.
Running a Beruwala business on software
Cutters and traders here deal with parcels, memos and weight loss daily. GemColony's lapidary workflow and memo tracking are made for it.