When is Prasanna Gem Centre open?

Prasanna Gem Centre is open: Sun - Sat 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM

What hotels are near Prasanna Gem Centre?

Hotels near Prasanna Gem Centre: (0.06 mi) Kandy Hostel Cabana (0.13 mi) Summit View (0.35 mi) Hantana Range View (0.19 mi) Homestay Garden Rest Kandy (0.23 mi) Marvel Hills Kandy View all hotels near Prasanna Gem Centre on Tripadvisor

What restaurants are near Prasanna Gem Centre?

Restaurants near Prasanna Gem Centre: (0.03 mi) Frozsta (0.03 mi) Durianzila (0.08 mi) KFC Kandy (0.21 mi) The Whizz (0.18 mi) Oak Ray Bakers View all restaurants near Prasanna Gem Centre on Tripadvisor

Prasanna Gem Centre (Kandy) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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See what other travelers are saying

sonyah26
Shaftesbury, United Kingdom18 contributions
Interesting talk.
We weren't all that interested in buying any gems but found the talk to be interesting, the people all seemed very nice. We didn't experience any hard sell - we were upfront from the start to say that we weren't interested in buying anything. We went here as part of our tour.
Manager
Thank you for visiting us madam.
Written September 11, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Traveled with family
Written February 27, 2018
Iman321
174 contributions
Overpriced . Beware inclusions in sapphires
Know what you want before visiting and expect to pay handsomely. We went with a tour group. Interesting little film on how the stones are mined and then you are led straight into the showroom! I was "treated" to a sapphire ring and thus was "overwhelmed" by the moment. I did spot the dark mark within the sapphire offered (I now know this is called an inclusion) but was firmly railroaded by salesman into choosing this stone. (£200 for 0.9 crt stone + setting costs) I realise this is a natural element within a sapphire but having researched since purchase I now know there are different grades of inclusion and mine is very obvious to the eye thus making the stone less valuable. They will also promise next day delivery - this does not happen but don't panic . It took a couple of days but in fairness the ring was delivered to me (whilst I on a tour of a tea plantation!) In conclusion - we were on a whistle stop tour with limited time. I would not usually choose/be pressured into buying an item of jewellery all within about 15 - 20 min and to be honest I still find it hard to believe that I did so. However- The ring is of great sentimental value to me now and I shall never part with it. Was it worth the price? NO - the price was highly inflated. Know what you want and what you should expect to pay (before you visit!) and take your time/be thorough if tempted to make a purchase.
Traveled as a couple
Written April 5, 2017
Ane
Los Angeles, California30 contributions
Buyer beware! Stones expensive for what you get! Sold a natural ruby - tested as a synthetic. Be careful.
Guide bought us here, agree very interesting tour and nice people. But I had already purchased in Colombo, they are very persuasive! Sold me a natural ruby, which has since been tested as a synthetic. Priced as a natural. I went to many gem shops all over Sri Lanka, and there are lots of synthetic and fakes, definitely do your research before you go and be very cautious. I would avoid buying in Kandy
Traveled with family
Written January 18, 2017

These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.

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34 reviews

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9

Swinno12

Stoke-on-Trent, UK10 contributions

Great experience

Aug 2022

We visited the gem store whilst we stayed in Kandy. It was a great experience to walk around with the guide, who was extremely knowledgeable. My husband bought me a ring which was beautiful. I need also to mention that their customer service is second to non. The after care fantastic. We were treated so well which is what we experienced everywhere in our stay in Sri Lanka.
Highly recommend.

Written September 30, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Vicky C

19 contributions

Tourists beware

Mar 2018 • Couples

I had been to quite a few shops over 2 weeks in Sri Lanka and asked for a good store to get something before we left Kandy for home... we were taken here to Prasanna by our driver. The museum was interesting, but then the shop part was very disappointing- I knew what I was looking for and how much it should cost- immediately I knew I wasn’t going to find it here. The sales guy wanted double what anywhere else had asked for and the quality of sapphires were bad. Very pushy and obviously rely on tourists not knowing what they’re looking at and costs. We left right away and walked to a different shop near our hotel to avoid the extra commission costs drivers get when bringing people. Go to Isini Gems just up hill from the lake- they were fantastic, had great quality stones in a much better range and made me 2 rings overnight- staff were polite, professional and honest.

Written March 29, 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Saida Y

2 contributions

Do not recommend, they have lied.

Dec 2017 • Solo

Unless you know your stones, beware of the shop. There is mixed feedback and I trusted my guide who recommended the place - big mistake. Sales person named Sunil told the blue sapphire I was about to purchase is natural and not treated with heat. I purchased it along with couple other stones. International Gemological Institute certified the sapphire to have been heat treated. Which means Sunil lied. I sent the lab certificates to Prasanna requesting refund but was met with complete denial.

If you really want to buy, only part with cash after National Gem and Jewellery Authority in Colombo certifies it (the jeweller must travel with you or can meet you in Colombo and pay for the certification). If jeweller says no, walk away. I didn’t have chance to do this as it was 31 Dec with Gem board closed.

My jeweller in Dubai said the blue sapphire worth a fraction of what I paid.

I do not recommend this shop. It relies on non-repeat customers - tourists and cheats here and there.

Written February 24, 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Manager

We are a Gem shop in the business for over 40 years. We have many clients from all over the world visiting us on a daily basis many of which are repeat customers. Unfortunately, not all of them take to public forums to write about their good relationship with us. Clearly Ms. Saida has been mislead but not by us.

Written September 12, 2018

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sarah G

Kataragama, Sri Lanka26 contributions

Sadly Fake

May 2019 • Solo

Over priced over sold and sadly fake gems. We were taken here as part of a Peregrine Tour so assumed that it was all above board. But it is not, purchased earrings that are worth far less than I paid and are not even sapphires. Very disappointed.

Written July 26, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Lilyee

Melbourne, Australia35 contributions

They will look you in the eye and lie to your face......

Dec 2018 • Couples

We were taken to this place by our driver/guide without the chance to read any reviews. If you’re lucky enough to read trip advisor prior to going to this establishment then please take heed of this warning and the other similar reviews. Don’t give them your money.
We purchased two sapphires to have made into earrings back in Australia.We were told by the elderly salesman that they were worth 3 times what we paid for them and were also reassured about their quality. We didn’t expect them to be worth triple their price but hoped that the stones were at least of a decent quality as promised. My husband had a concern about one - he thought that he could see a ‘flaw’ in it with the naked eye. The salesman stared at the stone through his eye glass for about 2 minutes and swore to us that it was perfectly fine. We really were fooled.
On returning home we took the stones to our jeweller who valued them at just over half what we paid for them. There was indeed a flaw in one of the stones as we had feared.
We contacted the tour operator in Sri Lanka as well as Prasanna Gem Centre with our concerns. The gem centre denied any wrong doing - they clearly act in this manner each time they are challenged. Luckily the pressure from the tour operator, a sworn written valuation, persistence and constant emails paid off. We got a refund for our purchase after sending the gems back to Kandy via Australia Post. We ended up being a few hundred dollars out of pocket but at least we got our $1,800 back.
Don’t go there, don’t be fooled by them. They use every trick in the book to lure you in.
Unfortunately decency and honesty are not in their vocabulary.

Written February 14, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

sholay2016

London, UK82 contributions

VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND COMPLETE CHEATS

Aug 2016 • Family

Be very careful on what they say to you - when they say they will refund even if you come back within 10 year, they have been proven not to honour this.

Their certification holds no VALUE at all except to their own shop - They price the GEM extremely high and these are usually 70% over priced. Watch out for their stamp on your jewellery as this is not always clear and visible and as a result other shops will not accept this.

They are totally dependent on tourist not coming back and those like us who do, this shop is unable to cope with them and start behaving very angrily and rude.

Another customer who observed the situation did not want to do business with them and was grateful to us for letting them know what this shop was all about. This SHOP MUST BE TOTALLY AVOIDED.

Written August 22, 2016

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Julie D

Rushden, UK83 contributions

Interesting Museum only.

Feb 2019 • Couples

Taken here by our driver as part of a weeks tour of the Cultural Triangle. Interesting museum,video and show cases that depict all the gems which can be found in Sri Lanka.

I chose 2 Cats eye moonstones to be made into earrings to be collected the next day. Under the high powered shop lights they looked good...at the hotel at our next stop reality set in.

I don't think they were the stones I chose,the earring fitting was minimal metal with a bar going across the stone which can be seen in the pic as it was discoloured and I am certain they weren't sterling silver 925.

Luckily our tour operator stepped in to help. Although a replacement pair was brought to our final hotel,I pushed for a full refund. The agent blamed the bad craftsman but bespoke items surely would be quality checked before going into a presentation box????

The whole experience had been spoilt by shoddy workmanship,and I wasn't going to give them a second chance especially when our rep felt we had paid over the top for them in the first place.

So word of advice...enjoy the museum...but avoid the shop like the plague. These earrings were brought as my birthday present!! Shame on you Prasanna!!

Written March 11, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Lynn B

California207 contributions

Hang on to your money!!!!!!

Jan 2017 • Friends

I never saw such selling in my life!!!! please don't purchase anything in these stores, unless you know your jewelry. Fake Fake and more Fakes is all I can say!!!!!!
Ruby fillers is what they are, their guarantee is worth nothing!!!!!! Thank goodness for credit cards, as finally I got my money back, took 9 months!!!!!!!

Buyer Beware

Written September 10, 2017

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Georgie

6 contributions

Don't trust these guys

Jan 2019 • Friends

My father and i went in and Dad chose 2 very nice sapphires. We decided to get them made into a ring each. The next day when we went to collect them, my father was sure the stones had been swapped. He was so disappointed but did not want to cause a scene in front of me. He chose not to comment to the jewler. It's so disheartening that someone would blatantly lie about a product they were selling. We have found Sri Lanka to be such a hospitable, kind and friendly country, to be treated this way has left a very sour taste in our mouths.
Upon leaving the venue, it was clear to me my stone was not the stone I chose the previous day. The lighting in the store was misleading. I understand it is my responsibility to research venues, that is why I am leaving this review. Do not trust this jewelry company. AT ALL.
Buyer be warned.

Written January 19, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Manager

It is very surprising you have not contacted and confronted us then and there if you had a problem. Our impression was that both of you were very happy with the purchase and you did mention you were. After all you were in Srilanka after the purchase for a few days and you never once contacted us! We never do dirty work like you said we have done and it is very sad that you should write such a review on a misconception on your part. You could have just asked.. But why not?

Written January 28, 2019

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

jon b

Abingdon, UK91 contributions

Interesting visit, genuine gem purchased

Jan 2017 • Couples

We went to Sri Lanka with a very reputable travel company and personal guide. He recommended this gem centre. There is a very interesting museum, film and gem area where you can learn a lot about the gems mined in Sri Lanka. The gems were expensive in this centre, but we weren't pressurised and the pink sapphire and diamond pendant purchased have been verified by a reputable jeweller in the uk as genuine and worth nearly twice as much as the amount paid in Sri Lanka.

Written December 1, 2017

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Manager

Thank you so much for the lovely comments sir.

Written September 12, 2018

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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