One of world’s largest and rarest blue sapphires weighing in at 310kg
Posted on December 12th, 2021

Courtesy The Telegraph (UK)

The stone, discovered in the gem-rich area of Ratnapura, has been dubbed the ‘Queen of Asia’

Sri Lanka displays world's largest and rarest blue sapphire

A woman walks past the world’s largest natural corundum blue sapphire, weighing 310 kilograms CREDIT: DINUKA LIYANAWATTE /REUTERS

Sri Lankan authorities on Sunday put on show what they said was the world’s largest natural corundum blue sapphire, weighing 310 kilograms, which was found in a gem pit about three months ago.

Local gemologists, who have examined the sapphire, said it was one of the rarest gems in the world as it weighed more than 300 kilograms. International organisations are yet to certify the precious stone.

Sri Lanka displays world's largest and rarest blue sapphire
People inspect the single natural corundum (blue sapphire) named ‘Queen of Asia’ CREDIT: ISHARA S. KODIKARA /AFP
Sri Lanka displays world's largest and rarest blue sapphire
Gemological Institute of Ratnapura Director of research and development, Chamila Suranga, inspects the world’s largest natural corundum blue sapphire CREDIT: DINUKA LIYANAWATTE /REUTERS

The sapphire was put on display at the home of one of the gem pit owners in Horana, 65 kilometres (40 miles) south of Colombo. A group of Buddhist monks chanted blessings for the gemstone before it was unveiled.

The stone was found in the gem-rich Ratnapura area where local people had previously found the world’s largest star sapphire cluster in a backyard by accident

Sri Lanka displays world's largest and rarest blue sapphire
Owner of the single blue sapphire Chamila Suranga poses for pictures with the stone, named ‘Queen of Asia’ CREDIT: ISHARA S. KODIKARA /AFP

Ratnapura is known as the gem capital of the South Asian country, which is a leading exporter of sapphires and other precious gems.

The country earned around half a billion dollars through the export of gems, diamonds and other jewellery last year, the local gems and jewellery industry body has reported.

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