Gems and Jewellery Workshop from Weligama

When it comes to Gems and Jewellery, Sri Lanka has a long-standing association with the subject due to its precious and natural gemstones. There are two main traditions of jewellery making – the Kandyan Tradition and the Weligama Tradition. The Kandyan tradition is characterized by its intricate metalwork, while the Weligama Tradition is known for its focus on precious stones. This specific workshop will be a demonstration of how to make jewellery according to Weligama traditions.

Includes:

• Services of an English-speaking guide
• Mineral water bottle per person

Excludes:

• Expenses of personal nature
• Gratuities

The Experience:

The demonstration consists of learning how to make custom jewellery using precious metals, namely Gold or Silver. As a part of this exciting and educational process, you will actively participate in:

• Melting these metals
• Gauging, hammering, and soldering
• Designing and embedding gems
• Smoothing and polishing

You will be thoroughly educated on the traditional techniques that generational jewellery makers use, as well as the equipment involved in the process. An exciting experience awaits as you get to touch and examine rough and polished gems from local mines, giving you insight into the methods used in handling both precious and semi-precious stones.

Additionally, you will be educated on how to differentiate between genuine and fake gemstones. The demonstration will also teach you how to recognize whether a jewellery item is made from the exact precious metal content claimed.

Note: You have the option to purchase the jewellery that you work on, which will be valued based on the materials and precious stones used. The value of the jewellery is not included in the cost of this experience.