The IMPOSSIBLE Megalithic City Hidden in the Pacific Ocean
Something in the middle of the Pacific Ocean shouldn’t exist — a vast stone city built from colossal basalt blocks, arranged with geometric precision, sitting in shallow water and dense jungle. This mysterious ancient megalithic complex was constructed from stones weighing several tons each, transported across water with no clear explanation of how or why it was done. Even today, engineers and archaeologists struggle to explain the logistics behind its construction.
In this short documentary, we investigate the origins of this hidden Pacific city, the people who may have built it, and the engineering methods that made it possible. From massive stone walls and artificial islands to legends of lost civilizations and forbidden ruins, this deep dive explores why Nan Madol is considered one of the most mysterious and unexplained megalithic sites on Earth.
Sri Lanka’s gem industry has a very long and colorful history. Sri Lanka was affectionately known as Ratna-Dweepa which means Gem Island. The name is a reflection of its natural wealth.
Marco Polo wrote that the island had the best sapphires, topazes, amethysts, and other gems in the world.
Ptolemy, the 2nd century astronomer recorded that beryl and sapphire were the mainstay of Sri Lanka’s gem industry.
Records from sailors that visited the island state that they brought back “jewels of Serendib”. Serendib was the ancient name given to the island by middle eastern and Persian traders that crossed the Indian Ocean to trade gems from Sri Lanka to the East during the 4th and 5th century. Often the historical word "Ceylon" is used within gem industries to denote stones that come from the island.
Is Sri Lanka an island? True or false?
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is an island country in South Asia. It is located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, and is separated from India by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait.
According to Pliny the Elder’s Natural History, formal contact between Sri Lanka and Rome was established during the reign of Emperor Claudius (AD 41-54). Ancient Roman authors documented Sri Lankan trade goods:
pearls, gems, transparent stones, muslins, tortoise shells, rice, honey, ginger, cinnamon, beryl, and elephants. Among these valuable exports, gems held a special place.
The most famous medieval witness was Marco Polo, who visited the island in 1292 or 1293 during his epic journey through Asia. The Venetian explorer wrote with evident awe of the abundance and quality of the gems he encountered. In his travels, he documented ruby, sapphire, topaz, amethyst, and garnet, declaring that the island possessed “the best sapphires, topazes, amethysts, and other gems in the world.” He even wrote of seeing a “flawless ruby the size of a man’s arm”—whether this was literal truth or traveler’s exaggeration, it speaks to the island’s reputation.
The island country has a long history of being known for its diamonds, earning it the nicknames “Gem Island” and “Jewel Box of the Indian Ocean.” Due to the numerous deposits of precious and semi-precious gems that may be discovered throughout Sri Lanka, the country’s gem industry has prospered.
Sri Lanka, historically known as "Ratnadeepa" (Island of Gems), boasts a 3,000-year history as a premier source of precious stones. Renowned for its rich alluvial deposits and high-quality blue sapphires, the island has been a global gem trade hub since antiquity, mentioned by Ptolemy and favored by ancient traders for its rich sapphire, ruby, and cat's-eye chrysoberyl deposits.
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Key Historical Highlights:
Ancient Fame (500 BC - 500 AD): Known as "Serendib" to early traders, Sri Lanka's gems were highly sought after by Roman, Greek, and Arab merchants. Legends suggest King Solomon used Sri Lankan gems to woo the Queen of Sheba.
Royal Control (3rd Century BC - 13th Century AD): The gem trade was tightly controlled by Sinhalese kings, with mining concentrated in the "City of Gems," Ratnapura.
Colonial Period (1505–1948): European powers (Portuguese, Dutch, British) expanded the trade, further cementing the island's reputation for sapphires and other gems.
Modern Era: Today, the industry is regulated by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority(NGJA), with a focus on sustainable, largely hand-mined, high-quality, and heat-treated, or untreated stones.
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Famous Gemstones from Sri Lanka:
Sapphires: Known for vibrant blue, yellow, pink, and white (white sapphire) colors.
Others: Topaz, amethyst, garnet, tourmaline, and the uniquely Sri Lankan blue moonstone.
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The country continues to be a world leader in gemology, producing rare "no-heat" sapphires and maintaining traditional, low-impact mining methods.
is one of the world's most significant sources of high-quality gemstones, famously nicknamed the "Gem Island" for its immense variety and density of deposits. The island produces over 75 types of gemstones, most notably the world-renowned Ceylon Sapphire.
Popular Gemstone Varieties
Sri Lanka is best known for its corundum family (sapphires and rubies) and unique varieties like the Chrysoberyl Cat’s Eye.
Blue Sapphire: Often considered Sri Lanka's "gem supreme," these stones are prized for their vibrant hues and exceptional clarity. Notable examples include the sapphire in Princess Diana’s engagement ring.
Padparadscha Sapphire: An extremely rare and valuable orange-pink sapphire found specifically on the island.
Chrysoberyl Cat’s Eye: Known for its distinct "eye" effect (chatoyancy), Sri Lanka is a leading source of this rare gemstone.
Moonstone: Sri Lankan moonstones are famous for their unique blue sheen and milky hue.
Other Species: The island also produces significant quantities of Spinel, Tourmaline, Zircon, Garnet, Topaz, and Alexandrite.
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Famous Historical Gems
Many of the world's largest and most famous gemstones originated from Sri Lankan mines.
Blue Giant of the Orient: A 466-carat sapphire found in Ratnapura.
Logan Blue Sapphire: A 423-carat specimen currently housed in the Smithsonian Institution.
Star of India: A 563-carat star sapphire discovered in Sri Lanka and now at the American Museum of Natural History.
Rosser Reeves Star Ruby: A 138-carat star ruby also featured in the Smithsonian collection.
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Key Locations and Shopping
Most gemstone activity is centered in the "Highland Complex," a geologically rich band running through the middle of the island.
Ratnapura: Known as the "City of Gems," it is the traditional heart of the industry for mining, cutting, and trading.
Beruwala: Famous for its gem market (China Fort) and diverse gemstone offerings.
Trusted Retailers: Experts from Tripadvisor and local guides recommend reputable shops such as Lihiniya Gems in Galle Fort or established names like Zam Gems and Sifani in Colombo.
Authentication: Buyers are advised to visit the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) or use the Gem Exchange in Colombo to verify stones with official certification to avoid fakes.
Notable Gemstone Products
1.05 Ct. Blue Sapphire from Ceylon: A transparent pear-shaped natural sapphire available at The Natural Sapphire Company.
Sri Lankan Blue Sapphire Cushion Cut (1.04 Carat): A premium rich blue gemstone sold by Leibish.
0.86ct Natural Lively Green Kornerupine: A rare green oval-cut gemstone mined in Sri Lanka, available at GemSelect.
What jewels is Sri Lanka known for?
Sri Lanka stands out in the world of precious gemstones, with sapphires constituting 85% of the 130 varieties mined there. Among these, none rival the global appeal of Ceylon Blue Sapphires, renowned for their hue reminiscent of cornflowers.
Sri Lankan Gemstones
(click on images to increase size)
Logan Blue sapphire
Blue Bella of Asia
Empress Maria's Sapphire
Naleem Alexandrite
Sri Lanka: World's Largest Purple Star Sapphire Unveiled; Rare 3,563-carat gemstone valued at $300 Million
