While digging a well in the garden, they found a 510‑kilogram giant sapphire: Worth 100 million dollars!

The incident that unfolded in Ratnapura, a region famed for its gemstone trade in Sri Lanka, showed how a routine accident can become a major discovery. Workers digging a well in a house’s backyard encountered an unusually large stone formation beneath the ground.

After the incident was reported to authorities, investigations revealed that the formation was a massive cluster of star sapphires. The stone, found in the home of a jeweler known only as Mr. Gamage and whose identity was withheld for security reasons, quickly attracted international attention.

A 510‑kilogram Giant Formation Discovered

Initial examinations determined the sapphire cluster weighed about 510 kilograms, and it was reported to have a mass of roughly 2,5 million carats. That size places the find among the world’s most striking star‑sapphire formations.

Star sapphires are known for forming a star‑shaped pattern on their surfaces through the reflection of light. This distinctive appearance results from needle‑like mineral inclusions inside the stone reflecting light.

Cleaning Process Exceeded One Year

Cleaning and examining the giant sapphire cluster took a long time. It was noted that the work took more than a year, and some fragments separated from the bulk were found to be pale blue and high‑quality star sapphires.

However, experts point out that the formation is not composed entirely of gems of the same quality. Therefore, as important as the cluster’s total weight, the quality and workability of the stones inside also play a key role in determining its economic value.

Its value could reach up to 100 million dollars.

The formation named “Serendipity Sapphire” is assessed as potentially attracting collectors and the jewelry market because of its size and characteristics.

Although it is suggested that the stone’s international market value could reach 100 million dollars, that figure has not yet been confirmed by independent international experts as a definitive appraisal. The final price will be influenced by the stones’ quality, color attributes, cut‑ability, and buyers’ interest.

The discovery in Ratnapura, one of Sri Lanka’s regions renowned for gemstone resources, turned a backyard dig into an event that reverberated worldwide.