Prasantha Mendis was born into a family renowned for its gem business in a small town in Sri Lanka. His late father owned a successful gem mine and imparted his extensive knowledge of the country’s stunning gemstones to his three sons. Growing up, Prasantha played in the mines with his brothers, learning about the treasures Sri Lanka had to offer. After their father's passing, the brothers took on the responsibility of carrying on his legacy by managing their own jewellery businesses. Prasantha led a prestigious jewellery venture in Kalutara for 40 years, attracting a loyal clientele from around the globe who travelled to Sri Lanka to see him.

In addition to running a successful business, Prasantha never ceased to further his education in gemstones and the intricate craft of jewellery making. Although he was already a qualified jeweller in Sri Lanka, he chose to enhance his credentials in Australia. To date, he has earned a certificate in a Diploma of Gemmology (2016) and a Diploma of Jewellery and Object Design (2019). He has been recognised as a Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Australia since 2013.