FACETS Sri Lanka 2026 inaugurated, ushering in a new era for Island of Gems

Opening of FACETS Sri Lanka 2026 

Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana.

Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath

Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association President Akram Cassim

FACETS Sri Lanka Chairman Armil Sammoon

FACETS Sri Lanka 2026 was officially inaugurated at Cinnamon Life - The City of Dreams, marking a significant milestone for Asia’s premier gem and jewellery exhibition. 

Now in its 33rd edition, the exhibition opens with a bold, future-focused vision that celebrates Sri Lanka’s rich gem heritage while positioning the industry for its next phase of global growth. 

The inauguration ceremony was attended by chief guest Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath, along with Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Minster Sunil Handunnetti, underscoring the national and international importance of FACETS as Sri Lanka’s foremost platform for the global gem and jewellery trade.

Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA) President Akram Cassim stated, “FACETS Sri Lanka 2026 marks the beginning of the global gem and jewellery calendar and once again places Sri Lanka at the heart of the international trade. Now in its 33rd year, FACETS is more than an exhibition; it is a platform built on trust, long-standing relationships and the shared commitment to responsible and sustainable practices across our industry. We warmly welcome our international buyers, exhibitors and partners to Colombo and thank them for their continued belief in Sri Lanka as a leading source of fine gemstones.”

For the first time in its history, FACETS is being hosted at Cinnamon Life - The City of Dreams, occupying two full floors in a contemporary, immersive exhibition environment. The new setting represents a defining evolution for the event, seamlessly blending tradition with innovation. Visitors are guided through the journey of Sri Lankan gemstones from mine to market through interactive installations, curated Story Corners that highlight exhibitor narratives and immersive virtual reality experiences that offer rare insights into the island’s gem mining regions. Sustainability, ethical sourcing and innovation are central themes throughout the exhibition, aligning Sri Lanka’s industry with global standards while preserving its timeless craftsmanship.

FACETS Sri Lanka 2026 is further strengthened by the Sapphire Sponsorship Circle, a collective of 11 of Sri Lanka’s leading gem exporters and jewellers whose support reflects the unity, confidence and shared vision of the industry. Their commitment reinforces FACETS as the country’s most important international platform for gems and jewellery, attracting buyers, investors and enthusiasts from across the world.

FACETS Sri Lanka Chairman Armil Samoon noted, “For 33 years, FACETS has been the stage where Sri Lanka’s greatest love story is told: the story of our people and our precious stones. This platform connects the hands that unearth our treasures with the visionaries who shape them, ensuring that every gem carries not just beauty but a legacy of integrity. FACETS 2026 gathers this proud community not just under one roof but under one shared mission: to champion a future for global gemstones and jewellery that is as sustainable and brilliant as the island that inspires it.”

Enhancing the overall experience for international delegates, Universal Travel Bureau (UTB) serves as the Official Travel Partner for FACETS Sri Lanka 2026. Through curated pre and post-exhibition travel programmes, visitors are offered opportunities to explore Sri Lanka beyond the exhibition halls, including exclusive visits to gem mining areas that showcase the island’s centuries-old traditions and sustainable practices. This initiative extends FACETS beyond a trade exhibition, creating deeper connections between business, culture and heritage.

Over the last 30 years, FACETS has evolved into an internationally respected exhibition that has firmly placed Sri Lanka on the global gem and jewellery map. Renowned worldwide for its exceptional sapphires from cornflower blue and padparadscha to teal and beyond and home to over 50 gemstone varieties, Sri Lanka continues to captivate global markets. 

FACETS Sri Lanka 2026 celebrates this proud legacy while looking ahead to the future, bringing together tradition, innovation and global opportunity in a world-class setting and marking one of the most significant editions in the exhibition’s history.