Sri Lanka’s star sapphire cluster weighing over 500 kilograms which was found in the Ratnapura area last year received approval and was registered in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest star sapphire cluster.
State Ministry of Gem & Jewellery Related Industries confirmed this achievement adding that said the cluster had been registered in the Guinness Book after it was certified as a star sapphire cluster by the Gübelin Gem Lab in Switzerland.
The star sapphire cluster was found by workmen digging a well at a home in Ratnapura last year.The cluster weighing around 510 kilograms or 2.5 million carats has been named the “Serendipity Sapphire”.
The State Ministry said that the cluster which is currently in Switzerland will be taken to the UK to auction it at the Christie’s auctions and get the maximum return for it.
Sri Lanka is still negotiating with the Dubai-based company which has offered US$ 100 million for the ‘Queen of Asia’, the world’s largest natural corundum blue sapphire found in Sri Lanka.
The blue sapphire weighing 310 Kg (1,550,000 carats) was found in Batugedara in the Ratnapura District, and it was revealed in December 2021..
The rock has been named the “Serendipity Sapphire.” Experts say it has an estimated value of up to $100 million in the international market. However, it has not yet been analyzed and authenticated by independent international experts.
A star sapphire is a type of sapphire that exhibits a star-like phenomenon known as asterism.The country earned around half a billion dollars through the export of gems, cut diamonds and jewellery last year.
Dr Gamini Zoysa, a renowned gemmologist Said that he has never seen such a large specimen before.This was probably formed around 400 million years ago,”he added.Experts also point out however, that even though the specimen has a high carat value, all the stones inside the cluster may not be high-quality.
The find comes as Sri Lanka’s gem industry has suffered losses as a result of pandemic induced lockdowns.Those working in the industry hope the “Serendipity Stone” will now attract international buyers and experts.
“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,” Thilak Weerasinghe, the Chairman of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority of Sri Lanka, said.
