World’s largest star sapphire cluster found in SL registered in the Guinness Book of World Records

The star sapphire cluster weighing over 500 kilograms which was found in the Ratnapura area last year got 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 Lohan Ratwatte said the cluster got 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 Minister 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.

Meanwhile, the minister said that 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.

He said discussions are underway with the company to get the highest offer of more than US$ 100.

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. (DARSHANA SANJEEWA BALASURIYA)