The world’s largest blue star sapphire, weighing 1404.49 carats has been found in a mine in the city of Ratnapura, in southern Sri Lanka, which is known as the “City of Gems”.
- It has now been valued at $100 million with estimates that it could even be sold at auction for $175 million.
- The current record for a blue star sapphire is 1,395 carats.
- The sapphire has been named “The Star of Adam” by its current owner, who wants to remain anonymous.
Sri Lanka’s gem exports had increased by 135% from $70 million in 2010 to $165 million in 2014. It is projected that the global gem and jewellery demand would increase at an annual rate of 6% till 2020.
What is Sapphire?
Sapphire is a transparent precious stone, typically blue gemstone variety of the mineral corundum, an aluminum oxide.
Chemical Formula – Al2O3
- It is a very desirable gemstone due to its excellent color, hardness, durability, and luster.
- The most valuable color of Sapphire is a cornflower blue color, known as Kashmir Sapphire or Cornflower Blue Sapphire.
- Star sapphires get their name from the six-pointed star-shaped reflection that appears on their surface when they are polished.
Keys Sri Lanka
Capitals – Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Colombo
Currency – Sri Lankan rupee
President – Maithripala Sirisena
Prime minister – Ranil Wickremesinghe
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