<p>The world's largest blue star sapphire, weighing 1404.49 carets and valued at an astonishing USD 100 million, has been found in a mine in Sri Lanka.<br /><br />Lankan gemologists say the sapphire was found in the city of Ratnapura, in southern Sri Lanka, which is known as the 'City of Gems'.<br /><br />It has now been valued at USD 100 million with estimates that it could even be sold at auction for USD 175 million.<br /><br />The owner of the sapphire, who wants to remain anonymous, told the BBC : "The moment I saw it, I decided to buy."<br /><br />"When the stone was brought to me I suspected that it might be the world's largest blue star sapphire. So I took a risk and bought it."<br /><br />The current record for a blue star sapphire is 1,395 carats, the report said.<br />Armil Samnoon, a gem expert in Sri Lanka, said it was the biggest blue star sapphire in the world.<br /><br />The sapphire has been named the 'The Star of Adam' by its current owner, after a Muslim belief that Adam arrived in Sri Lanka after being sent away from the Garden of Eden. It is claimed he then lived on the slopes of a mountain now known as Adam's Peak.<br /><br />Blue star sapphires are so named because of the distinctive mark found at their centre.<br />Sri Lanka's Gem and Jewellery Association said in 2011 that the engagement ring for Catherine Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, included a sapphire mined in the country in the 1970s. It was previously owned by Diana, Princess of Wales.</p>.<blockquote><p>At 14909.9 carats and a $100 million value is this the biggest blue sapphire ever found? <a href="https://t.co/X9Dekir4Az">https://t.co/X9Dekir4Az</a> 📻 <a href="https://t.co/zVxPHFP7Tt">pic.twitter.com/zVxPHFP7Tt</a></p>— BBC World Service (@bbcworldservice) <a href="https://twitter.com/bbcworldservice/status/683879379026472961">January 4, 2016</a></blockquote>
<p>The world's largest blue star sapphire, weighing 1404.49 carets and valued at an astonishing USD 100 million, has been found in a mine in Sri Lanka.<br /><br />Lankan gemologists say the sapphire was found in the city of Ratnapura, in southern Sri Lanka, which is known as the 'City of Gems'.<br /><br />It has now been valued at USD 100 million with estimates that it could even be sold at auction for USD 175 million.<br /><br />The owner of the sapphire, who wants to remain anonymous, told the BBC : "The moment I saw it, I decided to buy."<br /><br />"When the stone was brought to me I suspected that it might be the world's largest blue star sapphire. So I took a risk and bought it."<br /><br />The current record for a blue star sapphire is 1,395 carats, the report said.<br />Armil Samnoon, a gem expert in Sri Lanka, said it was the biggest blue star sapphire in the world.<br /><br />The sapphire has been named the 'The Star of Adam' by its current owner, after a Muslim belief that Adam arrived in Sri Lanka after being sent away from the Garden of Eden. It is claimed he then lived on the slopes of a mountain now known as Adam's Peak.<br /><br />Blue star sapphires are so named because of the distinctive mark found at their centre.<br />Sri Lanka's Gem and Jewellery Association said in 2011 that the engagement ring for Catherine Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, included a sapphire mined in the country in the 1970s. It was previously owned by Diana, Princess of Wales.</p>.<blockquote><p>At 14909.9 carats and a $100 million value is this the biggest blue sapphire ever found? <a href="https://t.co/X9Dekir4Az">https://t.co/X9Dekir4Az</a> 📻 <a href="https://t.co/zVxPHFP7Tt">pic.twitter.com/zVxPHFP7Tt</a></p>— BBC World Service (@bbcworldservice) <a href="https://twitter.com/bbcworldservice/status/683879379026472961">January 4, 2016</a></blockquote>