Rare purple star sapphire weighing 3,563 carats unveiled in Sri Lanka
A gemologist said the value of the stone has been estimated at US$300 million to US$400 million by international valuers.
"Star of Pure Land" certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) as the world’s largest natural purple star sapphire is unveiled in Colombo on Jan 17, 2026. (Photo: AFP/Ishara S Kodikara)
COLOMBO: A purple star sapphire weighing 3,563 carats, which is claimed to be the world’s biggest of its kind, was unveiled on Saturday (Jan 17) in the Sri Lankan capital by the owners, who are ready to sell the precious stone, which is estimated to be worth at least US$300 million.
The round-shaped gem named “Star of Pure Land” is the world’s largest documented natural purple star sapphire, said Ashan Amarasinghe, a consultant gemologist.
“This is the largest purple star sapphire of its kind,” he told the media, adding that the gem “shows a well-defined asterism. It has six rays asterism. That’s something special out of all the other stones”.
The gem, which has been polished, is owned by the Star of Pure Land Team, who want to remain anonymous for security reasons.
One of the owners said the gem was found in a gem pit near the remote Sri Lankan town of Rathnapura, known as the “city of gems”, in 2023.
It was purchased together with other gems in 2023, and about two years later, the owners found that it was a special stone. They then got it certified by two laboratories.
Amarasinghe said the value of the stone has been estimated at US$300 million to US$400 million by international valuers. Sri Lankan sapphires are renowned for their unique colour, clarity and shimmer.
