Blue Star sapphire worth over $100m mined in Sri Lanka

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Massive Blue Star Sapphire Worth Over $100M Mined In Sri Lanka
Massive Blue Star Sapphire Worth Over $100M Mined In Sri Lanka


There may be a new record holder in the category of giant sapphires.

The Financial Times reported: "Gemologists in Sri Lanka claim the world's largest Blue Star sapphire has been discovered in a mine in the country."

The gem weighs in a just over 1,404 carats which rounds out at about 10 ounces, making it the largest of its kind to exist.

A value of roughly $100 million has been places on the piece although experts say that at auction the blue sapphire could be sold for as much as $175 million.

Notably the enormous and rare gem has already been sold to a man who prefers not to disclose his name or how much he paid for it.


However he has said that he feels the huge sapphire is 'destined to be a priceless museum piece' and not appropriate for use as jewellery.

He told the BBC World Service: "When the stone was brought to me I suspected that it might be the world's largest blue star sapphire. So I took a risk and bought it."

The sapphire was found in a mine in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, a place which is often referred to as the 'City of Gems'.

The owner told Ceylon Today: "I am not interested in selling it at the moment as it first needs international exposure."

According to the BBC, the previous record holder for world's largest sapphire weighed 1,395 carats.

A leading gem dealer in Sri Lanka, Armil Samoon, told the BBC that the recent discovery was indeed the largest of its kind in the world. The stone has been nicknamed 'The Star of Adam' in reference to the Muslim belief that Adam went to Sri Lanka after being sent from the Garden of Eden.

It's believed the Sri Lanka's gem industry is worth around £70 million.



Pearls, Sapphire Set New World Record at Auction
Pearls, Sapphire Set New World Record at Auction

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