All That Glitters Visits the Famous Ratnapura (City of Gems) Gem Pits

All That Glitters visted the famous city of Ratnapura in Sri Lanka in hopes of finding some fine quality and unique gemstones. Ratnapura, which translates as "City of Gems", is known throughout the world for it's gemstones. Though visited in November of 2011, the photos show exactly under what kind of conditions miners dig and where they live when not working in the shaft and tunnel; there is not much improvement in conditions and equipment over the past several decades. They also cook within the structure shown in the photos.

All That Glitters Sri Lanka Trip, 2011


All That Glitters Sri Lanka Trip, 2011


All That Glitters Sri Lanka Trip, 2011


All That Glitters Sri Lanka Trip, 2011


All That Glitters Sri Lanka Trip, 2011


Photographs by: L. Allen Brown, All That Glitters
(Copyright: LAB/ATG)