Another Ratnapura gem collector seeks China market for his precious stones

• Claims he has larger cluster than the recently found one

By Yohan Perera  

Whilst claiming that he has larger and more valuable stones than the sapphire cluster found in Pelmadulla , a gem collector in Ratnapura yesterday urged the authorities to help him sell his possessions at the gem auction in China.   

L. L. A Nandadasa who owns a gem museum in Ratnapura told Daily Mirror that he has larger and  more valuable gems than the one which was found recently in Pelmadulla.   “The Sapphire cluster found in Pelmadulla is not as valuable as quoted, but I own some which may be more valuable and even larger. Therefore I would like to inform the relevant authorities to take my stones as well to the Chinese auction. I will be satisfied with one third of the price at which my stones are sold,” Nandadasa said.  “The sapphire cluster found in Pelmadulla is not as valuable as anticipated as most of the stones in it are dead,” he added.  However Chairman Gem and Jewellery Authority Tilak Weerasinghe told media on Wednesday that the gem cluster found in Pelmadulla could be worth $ 10 million as an artefact which can be kept in a museum. “The objects which are good enough to be kept in museums cannot be valued. Can anyone  value or quote a price for the Sigiriya rock?,” he questioned.  It was reported on Wednesday that the Sapphire cluster found in Pelmadulla will be sold at a  Chinese Gem auction in November this year.