Tradesmen Uncover World's Largest Sapphire Cluster Worth $100m While Digging A Well
Posted: Monday, August 2nd, 2021
An enormous sapphire cluster that weighs 510 kilograms (80 stone), has 2.5 million carats and has an estimated value at a whopping $100 million (£81.9m) has been found - by accident - by a group of tradesmen digging a well in Sri Lanka at a customer's home. The cluster is so big that authorities say it’s the largest one ever found in the world and could have been formed around 400 million years ago. The incredible discovery was made in the Sri Lankan city of Ratnapura - which holds international recognition as one of the gem capitals of the world and its name literally means ‘city of gems’ in Sinhalese. Image Credit: Mr Gamage - Gem owner Speaking to the BBC, owner of the stone Mr Gamage said “The people who were digging the well alerted us about some rare stones. Later we stumbled upon this huge specimen." Throughout the cleaning process a few stones broke away from the cluster and they were found to be of the highest quality of sapphires. The incredible discovery has flabbergasted leading members of the gem community, with renowned gemologist Dr Gamini Zoysa telling BBC reporters "I have never seen such a large specimen before. This was probably formed around 400 million years ago.” They have called the cluster “Serendipity Stone” and it has been taken for further analysis to begin the process of breaking down, selling and distributing the sapphires from the original cluster. Just quickly - surely finders-keepers applies to something like this? We think the massive stone belongs to those that found it - the tradesmen! (H/T BBC)
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