A massive sapphire cluster, initially believed to be worth a groundbreaking $100 million, has now been deemed to be worth a whole lot less, IDEX Online reports.
The colossal gemstone, weighing 310 kg (1,550,000 carats), was discovered by workers excavating a well in the backyard of a gem trader in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, in July 2021. When the cluster was initially unearthed, the Sri Lankan government reportedly received an offer of $100 million from an unidentified bidder in Dubai. However, the quality of the stones within the cluster had yet to be established at that time.
Recently, officials from Sri Lanka’s National Gem and Jewellery Authority have disclosed that after conducting tests overseas, they have determined its value to be no more than $10,000 – a mere thousandth of its original estimation. No further details regarding the evaluation were provided. The authority stated that the natural corundum sapphire is an antique piece more suitable for display in a museum.
