World's Largest Star Sapphire Cluster Found In Gem Trader's Backyard In Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: The world's largest star sapphire cluster has been discovered in a backyard accidentally on Tuesday, reported BBC. According to a gem trader, the stone was found by workmen who were digging a well in his home in the gem-rich Ratnapura area.

The ¡®pale blue¡¯ stone weighs around 510 kilograms and according to experts, it has an estimated value of up to $100 million in the international market. It has been named the ¡°Serendipity Sapphire".

BBC

The owner of the stone, Mr Gamage, told BBC, ¡°The person who was digging the well alerted us about some rare stones. Later we stumbled upon this huge specimen."

Mr Gamage is a third-generation gem trader and immediately informed the authorities about the discovery. However, it took him more than a year to clean the stone of mud and other dirt before it could be analysed and certified.

Complex (Representational image)

He also said that a few stones fell out of the cluster during the cleaning process.

Gemexi (Representational image)

Thilak Weerasinghe, the Chairman of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority of Sri Lanka said, ¡°It is a special star sapphire specimen, probably the biggest in the world. Given the size and its value, we think it will interest private collectors or museums."