THE 'STAR OF PURE LAND'

Rare 'Purple Star Sapphire' weighing 3,563 CARATS is discovered in Sri Lanka - and it could be worth at least $300 million

 

By Shivali Best 

 

Daily Mail

Jan 19, 2026

 

 

A rare 'Purple Star Sapphire' weighing a whopping 3,563 carats has been discovered in Sri Lanka

 

A rare 'Purple Star Sapphire' weighing a whopping 3,563 carats has been discovered in Sri Lanka. 

The stunning gem has been named the 'Star of Pure Land', and is believed to be the world's biggest natural star sapphire of its kind. 

As the name suggests, star sapphires are known for their star–like qualities, called asterism.

This optical effect creates a shimmering star pattern on the stone's surface.

'This is the largest purple star sapphire of its kind,' consultant gemologist Ashan Amarasinghe said. 

'[It] shows a well–defined asterism. It has six rays asterism. That's something special out of all the other stones.' 

While the value of the stone remains unclear, Mr Amarasinghe believes it could be worth at least $300million (£223million). 

If that is the case, it would make the Star of Pure Land one of the most valuable gemstones ever found. 

 

The stunning gem has been named the 'Star of Pure Land', and is believed to be the world's biggest natural star sapphire of its kind

 

Star sapphires appear to have a star in the middle thanks to asterism – an effect caused by small, needle–like inclusions of the mineral rutile. 

'Ideally, the star in a star sapphire should be perfectly centered when viewed from directly above, with each ray of equal length,' explains The Natural Sapphire Company on its website. 

'The rays should be bright, sharp, and clearly defined – not blurry or fuzzy – and they should reach from the crown of the cabochon to the base without interruption.'

The gem is owned by an unnamed team, who have decided 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,' back in 2023.

It was purchased together with other gems that year, and about two years later, the owners found that it was a special stone. 

They then got it certified by two laboratories.

Mr Amarasinghe said the value of the stone has been estimated at $300million to $400million (£223million to £298million) by international valuers. 

 

The gem is owned by an unnamed team, who have decided to remain anonymous for security reasons

Star sapphires appear to have a star in the middle thanks to asterism – an effect caused by small, needle–like inclusions of the mineral rutile

 

That would make the Star of Pure Land one of the most expensive stones in the world – well ahead several prized diamonds.  

For example, the Oppenheimer Blue – a blue diamond weighing 14.62 carats – sold for $57.5million (£42.8million) in 2016.

Meanwhile, the Williamson Pink Star (11.15 carats) sold for an impressive $57.7million (£43million) in 2022. 

'Diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and other gemstones are widely coveted throughout the world,' Jeweler's Touch explains on its website. 

'While these gemstones are beautiful, the most valuable gemstones in the world offer specific qualities, such as rare details, unique colors, or rich history, that transcend them beyond typical value and into pricelessness.'