(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – The world’s largest single natural blue sapphire has been found in Sri Lanka, according to the National Gem and Jewellery Authority.
The gemstone found in the Batugedara area in Ratnapura weighs 1,550,000 carats (310 kilograms) and is more than two feet high and more than two feet wide.
The gemstone named “Queen of Asia” is now housed by its owner in a house in the Thalgahawila area of Horana.
The owner of the Sapphire, Chamila Suranga is a director of a gem research and exploration institute in Ratnapura. He had been searching for gems for 10 years and had found this gem in the Balangoda area.
Commenting to the media, he said the gem is made of a single stone belonging to the Corundum family.
“If anyone else finds this gem, they take the cut sapphire and sell it for jewelry. Doing so is a big crime and there are plenty of gems to make jewelry. The gemstone has received offers from the United States and Dubai. My hope is to sell this gem to some country and give my country foreign exchange. Also, I think it would be nice if this huge gem could be stored in a museum somewhere in the world for future generations to see,” he said.
The owner said he has decided to sell the gem to a country where it will be kept in a museum.
