Sri Lanka’s Silver Jewellers redefine tradition
Mr. W.C. Jayawardena
Sri Lanka’s gem and silver jewellery industry, long famed for precision craft, is experiencing a strong comeback in export markets abroad powered by technology, export diversification, and government assistance. As evolving consumer tastes demand ethically produced, handmade items, the sector is redirecting itself to tap premium demand in Europe and Asia.
According to the Export Development Board (EDB), silver jewellery exports grew steadily in 2025, generating US$ 2.1 million from January to September a 6-7 per cent increase from the previous year.
Industry analysts predict a 55 per cent surge in total export revenue by year-end, driven by new market entries and Sri Lanka’s participation in leading international expos such as Gem Sri Lanka, Gem City Ratnapura, and the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai.
One of the leading players spearheading this transformation is Alexandra Gem Exports, led by veteran gemologist W.C. Jayawardena, whose 50-year career mirrors the evolution of Sri Lanka’s jewelry trade. His latest technological advance, a gas-fired mini gem heat treatment furnace is enabling small-scale jewellers to achieve high-grade accuracy hitherto the domain of large-scale manufacturers. The technology will enhance value addition and competitiveness in export markets.
Mr. Jayawardena’s research into the Geuda heat treatment technology, converting low-grade semi-precious stones into precious sapphires and rubies, continues to be the backbone of Sri Lanka’s export effort. His activities with the Ceylon Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, and later with the British High Commission in the 1970s, paved the way for the treatments of gemstones that are common on the island today.
Its in-house design unit crafts bespoke silver jewellery lines for European clients, especially from Germany. The lines merge the cultural innovation of Sri Lanka with contemporary global fashion positioning the company in a competitive niche among mid-luxury jewellers.
The company is also tapping into e-commerce websites to link directly with foreign buyers, eliminating the middlemen and opening up market access. With online jewellery retailing picking up very quickly, the cyber-space revolution opens up new opportunities for Sri Lankan exporters to reach younger, fashion-conscious buyers worldwide
In addition to commerce, Mr. Jayawardena’s new gem healing therapy course, accredited by the Sri Lanka Traditional Medical Council, indicates diversification in the sector into wellness tourism, a sector with growing export potential in the form of experience-based luxury.
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