Sri Lanka unveils a rare purple star sapphire claimed to be the biggest of its kind

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By BHARATHA MALLAWARACHI
Updated 2:01 PM CST, January 18, 2026
Leer en español

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — A Purple Star Sapphire weighing 3,563 carats which is claimed to be the world’s biggest of its kind was unveiled on Saturday in the Sri Lankan capital by the owners, who are ready to sell the precious stone which is estimated to be worth at least $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.



Read more: https://apnews.com/article/sri-lanka-biggest-gem-sapphire-ad477c534852d758dee38a646dd8f435

[Permanut]

1. Has Trump demanded it yet?

[JohnnyRingo]

4. Give him time to find Sri Lanka on a map.

He'll just threaten to take the whole country if they don't put it on a necklace for Melania.

[Deminpenn]

8. 100%

[sinkingfeeling]

11. Great minds think alike. Sri Lanka is now on the list, after Iran.

[Shellback Squid]

2. it's a rock

[JohnnyRingo]

3. What becomes of it now? Do they cut it, or does it just remain an artifact?

I don't know if they found jewelry or rare piece of rock.
Doesn't seem to impress anyone but a gemologist in it's current state.

[LudwigPastorius]

5. It's already been cabochon cut and polished.

It's too big for jewelry, and chopping it up would only diminish its value, so it's going to be sold intact.

[rubbersole]

6. Hey, Elon - buy it and shove it up your ass.

For safekeeping.

[fujiyamasan]

7. He's so full of shit there's no room

This reminds me of the Christopher hitchens quote about Jerry Falwell:

"If you gave [Jerry] Falwell an enema, he could be buried in a matchbox"

Same applies for Musk.

Can’t forgive Hitchens support for the Iraq invasion, but he sure did have a way with words.

[Alice Kramden]

9. In the photo 3,563 carats looks to be about the size of a ping pong ball

A museum piece - unusual gemstone

[EarthFirst]

10. "I want it NOW!"