Laborer Digging Well Finds World’s Largest Star Sapphire Cluster Weighing 2.5 Million Carats

A third-generation gem trader is now the owner of what is believed to be the world’s largest cluster of star sapphires. The trader came into the ownership of the gem by accident. The resident of Ratnapura, Sri Lanka was having a well dug in his backyard when the laborer digging the well made the discovery. While the gem is yet to be examined by independent bodies, it has already drawn international attention for weighing 2.5 million carats.

The gem trader had employed a laborer to dig a well in his backyard. While digging the well the laborer reportedly found a few precious gems. He informed the trader of his find. The laborer was instructed to continue digging which eventually led the men to stumble upon the massive cluster of gems, which has been named the Serendipity Stone.

Ratnapura, which means "city of gems" in the Sinhalese language, is known as South East Asia’s gem capital. Other impressive gem findings have been previously reported in the area. The massive discovery made by accident was reported the find to the authorities. It took more than a year for the gem cluster to get cleaned, Ceylon Today reported.

While the gem cluster was being cleaned some of the star sapphire gems fell off the cluster. They were tested and found to be of high quality, the owner identified as Gamage said. The cluster’s owner refused to give out his full name and location due to concerns over his safety.

A star sapphire is a rare kind of sapphire that exhibits a shifting star pattern making the gem highly valued. The cluster weighing 510 kilograms (1124.36 pounds) or 2.5 million carats can be estimated between $100 million to $200 million.

Based on the confirmation that the gems from the cluster tested to be of high quality, Gamage hopes the rest of the pale blue colored cluster will also be of high quality. The cluster awaits analysis and authentication by independent international experts. Experts pointed out that while the cluster’s cartage is high, the quality of all the stones may not be very high, BBC reported.

Thilak Weerasinghe, the Chairman of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority of Sri Lanka, spoke about the probable future of the gem. The gem’s discovery can draw the attention of international buyers. The gem may be eventually sold to museums or private collectors.