Moonstone Mines in Meetiyagoda

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Uncut moonstones at Meetiyagoda-Domanwila

Meetiyagoda is home to rare blue moonstones, found in only a few places globally. Visitors can explore traditional deep-shaft mines, witness the painstaking hand-filtration process, and see skilled artisans cut and polish the gems. It is a fascinating, hands-on experience showcasing Sri Lanka’s rich mining heritage.

The Meetiyagoda Moonstone Mines, located on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, attract thousands of international tourists each year. Situated between the renowned coastal town of Ambalangoda and the popular tourist hub of Hikkaduwa, the village of Meetiyagoda–Domanwila has gained global recognition for its high-quality moonstone deposits spanning a six-hectare area of land.

Meetiyagoda Moonstone Mines mainly produce two types of moonstones, categorized by their color: blue and white. Among these, the blue variety is more expensive.

Tourists can plan visits to the mines and explore the jewelry shops in the area, where they can purchase white gold and silver jewelry adorned with moonstones. Silver jewelry featuring moonstones is particularly popular among visitors.

Healing Properties of Moonstones

Moonstones are cherished for their healing properties, often associated with emotional balance, intuition, and inner growth. Known as the “Stone of Intuition,” they are believed to enhance psychic abilities, promote self-reflection, and connect individuals with their subconscious mind.

Moonstones are particularly valued for their calming energy, helping to reduce stress, anxiety, and emotional turbulence while encouraging patience and resilience. Symbolic of feminine energy, they are thought to balance hormonal fluctuations, support women’s health, and aid in fertility and childbirth.

Their nurturing qualities extend to promoting restful sleep, inspiring creativity, and fostering open-mindedness. Physically, moonstones are believed to balance bodily fluids, improve digestion, and benefit the skin and hair. Spiritually, they align the chakras, particularly the sacral and crown, and help individuals attune to natural rhythms, offering a sense of harmony and connection to the cycles of life.

While these attributes are rooted in tradition and spiritual practices, they are often used as complementary tools for holistic well-being.

History of Meetiyagoda Moonstone Mines

The history of the Meetiyagoda Mines is about 100 years old. In earlier times, the village of Domanwila was also known for a unique clay referred to as Makulu by locals, which is now identified as kaolin, a premium-quality clay. Today, Meetiyagoda–Domanwila is known for housing some of the finest kaolin deposits in the country. Research shows that the kaolin extracted here has an exceptional luminous quality. Historically, this clay was used for plaster walls of homes. Additionally, bright white stones were plentiful in the area, though they initially went unnoticed by the villagers.

Muslim traders visiting the area to collect Makulu clay also took these bright stones, now recognized as moonstones, with them. As they began polishing and refining these stones, interest in this distinctive gemstone steadily grew, drawing Muslim gem traders to the Meetiyagoda–Domanwila region. Locals believe that moonstones are named for their deep connection to the moon’s mystical powers, further enhancing their appeal as a prized semi-precious gem.

Moonstone Mines

A typical moonstone mine is approximately 10 feet long and 5 feet wide. As excavation goes deeper, the likelihood of soil collapse increases. To ensure stability, coconut trunks and wooden beams are firmly secured to reinforce the mine walls.

Once a sufficient depth is reached, horizontal tunnels are dug to extract moonstones. Water seepage is a frequent challenge during the excavation process. To address this, two pumps are employed—one to drain the water and the other to remove the muddy soil containing the moonstones.

The moonstone-laden soil is extracted using specialized iron buckets. Operating each pump requires a team of about six workers, and the mine owners closely monitor the extraction process once the soil is brought to the surface.

Each mine typically employs around 25 workers, who are paid daily wages for their efforts. However, working conditions in the mines are inherently risky, with the dangers increasing significantly during rainy weather, making excavation even more perilous.

A moonstone mine at Meetiyagoda-Domanwila

Polished moonstones at Meetiyagoda-Domanwila

Jewellery made of moonstones at outlets in Meetiyagoda-Domanwila

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Travel Directions to Moonstone Mines in Meetiyagoda

Route from Colombo to Moonstone Mines in Meetiyagoda	Route from Hikkaduwa to Moonstone Mines in Meetiyagoda
Through: Sothern Expressway Distance: 107 km Travel time: 2 hours Driving directions: see on Google map	Through : Seenigama – Kahawa Distance: 10 km Travel time: 15 minutes Driving directions: see on Google map