Gemmological Museum
Gemmological Museum
3.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
27 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
10
Average
5
Poor
2
Terrible
3
Lt648
Brigg, UK129 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
The museum has a lot of gems on display however the displays are very tired and could do with a good overhaul to tidy it up. The good points of this place are that entry is free and also that the people there are very knowledgable whilst not being pushy at all.
Written December 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claudia R
Tijeras, NM276 contributions
Sep 2016
The museum is on one side of the hallway and the gem and jewelry store is on the other side of the hallway. Equal size, equally interesting. There is not pressure to shop in the store, however, I don't know why one wouldn't want to look at the beautiful gems and nice jewelry after showing interest in the history and geography of how gems are mined and polished. We enjoyed both and came away with a nice blue topaz souvenir.
Written September 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
annaconda89
Brisbane, Australia21 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
This small museum was a nice stop on our visit to Ratnapura. It was great to see how the stones look before they are polished and processed. There's so many places to buy gem stones with pushy salespeople and rip-off tourist prices, but not this one! They have a large selection of stones and jewellery made on-site with a very knowledgable staff who let us look at our own pace and didn't push us to buy.
Keep a keen eye out for the museum sign on the main road as we missed it the first time we drove past!
Keep a keen eye out for the museum sign on the main road as we missed it the first time we drove past!
Written April 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dranujkiran
New Delhi, India983 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
Ratnapura is a neat and clean town nestled in verdant foothills most likely encountered by tourists travelling from Colombo to Haputale [ Horton Plains NP ] . I am amazed why no reviews have been posted so far about this remarkable private museum about gemstones , minerals and fossils . This private collection was established by Mr A G B Amarsinghe , Consultant Gemmologist and professional collector . A small hall full of astounding crystals and gem stones along with some fossils and carvings . If you are so inclined , can spend half a day . Otherwise an hour is enough . There are items for sale but no one pushes you for that .
A nice cafetaria [ with clean washrooms ] and some very pretty flowers . There is no entry fee and the owner will answer your queries with a smile . Photography is prohibited but I managed to sneak in a few shots for the purpose of this review . How do they run this place with a free entry ? Please patronize the cafe so that something is contributed to this very genuine attraction .
Every second shop in Ratnapura is a '' gem bank '' or museum but obviously this is the real thing .
A nice cafetaria [ with clean washrooms ] and some very pretty flowers . There is no entry fee and the owner will answer your queries with a smile . Photography is prohibited but I managed to sneak in a few shots for the purpose of this review . How do they run this place with a free entry ? Please patronize the cafe so that something is contributed to this very genuine attraction .
Every second shop in Ratnapura is a '' gem bank '' or museum but obviously this is the real thing .
Written August 7, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Prabath Jayasinghe
Kandy, Sri Lanka65 contributions
Oct 2015
It's typical and well maintained Gem museum as well as it shows the glimpse of Sri Lankan Culture...I went there with my Uni friends. Entrance is low in price... Staff is very Friendly...Upper flow contains Tradition Masks of Sri Lanka and Pictures of Gods who believes by Sri Lankans..
So Finally it's nice place to visit...Thanks for tour arrangements... Specially Udaya Sir...
So Finally it's nice place to visit...Thanks for tour arrangements... Specially Udaya Sir...
Written February 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cal d
Pretoria, South Africa2 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
The tour guide is very friendly but the museum is neglected. It's a small collection and more like an individuals collection.
Some of the notices on the collection is damaged and eligible
Some of the notices on the collection is damaged and eligible
Written August 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew Steven
195 contributions
Jul 2018
A quick stop on the way out of town. The owner was very knowledgeable and the museum is interesting. We didn’t feel under any compulsion to buy at the end although they seem very reasonably priced.
Highlight was asking where a mine was to look at and then going to see it (and go down!!).
Highlight was asking where a mine was to look at and then going to see it (and go down!!).
Written August 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
schester
Perth, Australia158 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
We visited this museum as we had read good reviews about the service offered while shopping for gems. The staff were extremely knowledgeable and welcoming. They explained everything relating to the various gemstones found in Sri Lanka and attached to the museum is a shop whereby you can purchase gemstones and jewellery. We did not buy anything on this trip, there was no pressure by staff to make a purchase and they were happy to show us anything we asked to see. We found the jewellery on offer limited but lovely. There is a restaurant attached to the museum, however it was closed when we arrived. Toilets are also available.
Written April 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jared D
Byron Bay, Australia31 contributions
Jul 2017
It's a bit tired and run down. Our children were bored here. It could be much better with play based learning for kids.
Written July 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ainslie earl k
Portland, OR132 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
We were taken here by the hotel guides. The museum operator was very knowledgeable about the mining process and the minerals involved with the gem trade. Spoke excellent English. There was a fair gem jewelry shop included. Being a geologist,I liked the museum and operator.
Written February 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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