• The cluster weighing around 510 kgs has been named the “Serendipity Sapphire”  

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

The star sapphire cluster weighing over 500 kilograms which was found  in the Ratnapura area last year got approval and 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 in  currently at Switzerland will be taken to 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. 

•  The cluster which is in currently at Switzerland will be taken to UK to auction it at the Christie’s auctions and get the maximum return for it