Sri Lanka unveiled an exceptional gemstone, the Star of Pure Land, a natural purple star sapphire weighing 3,563 carats. The stone is being cited by local gem experts as the largest known purple star sapphire of its kind.

Unearthed near Ratnapura, the country’s historic gem-mining region, the sapphire was identified after detailed examination. When light falls on its surface, it displays a distinct six-ray star, a natural optical effect created by microscopic mineral inclusions.

The unveiling has renewed focus on Sri Lanka’s gem heritage and its continued role in supplying rare, high-value coloured stones to the global market.