A Purple Star Sapphire weighing 3,563 carats, claimed to be the world’s largest natural purple star sapphire, was unveiled on Saturday in Colombo, Sri Lanka by its owners. The precious gem, named “Star of Pure Land,” is estimated to be worth at least $300 million, and the owners are ready to sell it.
Ashan Amarasinghe, a consultant gemologist, said the round-shaped gem is the largest documented natural purple star sapphire in the world. He added that the gem displays a well-defined asterism with six rays, which is considered a rare and special feature.
The polished gem is owned by the Star of Pure Land Team, who chose to remain anonymous for security reasons.
One of the owners revealed that the gem was discovered in 2023 in a gem pit near Rathnapura, a remote town in Sri Lanka famously known as the “City of Gems.”
The stone was purchased along with other gems in 2023, and after about two years, the owners realized its exceptional value. They then had it certified by two laboratories.
Amarasinghe said international valuers have estimated the gem’s value to be between $300 million and $400 million. Sri Lankan sapphires are globally renowned for their unique color, clarity, and shimmer.
