backyard

Could You Imagine Finding This In Your Backyard

A massive sapphire cluster which a gem trader in Sri Lanka claims to have found in his own backyard has reportedly been taken to Switzerland for authentication. Sri Lanka is a major exporter of gems and has long been famous for the precious stones discovered in parts of the country. The find is estimated to be worth as much as $100 million, though the total value may be dependent on the quality of the stones in the cluster.

Gem trader finds sapphire cluster in his own backyard

The region in the south of the country in which the cluster was found is well known as a source of high quality gems and has an extensive tradition in dealing with precious stones.

The third-generation gem trader, who did not want his full name to be publicized for security reasons, was not expecting to make such a lavish find in his own backyard.

Workmen digging a well alerted the property owner after they came across sapphires. As the owner investigated further he uncovered the 510 kilogram cluster.

The backyard find is sure to earn a great deal of money for its owner regardless of future examinations but the government of Sri Lanka hopes that the stones in the cluster will prove to be of a consistently high quality.

The export of gemstones is a major pillar of the Sri Lankan economy and the industry has suffered somewhat due to the global pandemic.

Government officials expressed hopes that the find would renew global interest in gemstones from the island nation and facilitate the recovery of the gem trade.

Hopes for a revival of gem exporting

Many of the largest and most well known sapphires and rubies in the world have come from Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon under the British Empire.

Ratnapura, where the backyard cluster was discovered,  translates from Sinhalese as “city of gems” and is known within Sri Lanka as one of the most prolific gem producing areas of the country.

The export of gems earned Sri Lanka $500 million in 2020 and there are hopes that the massive cluster will play a part in earning even more this year.

The Chairman of the National Gem and Jewelry Authority said that the Sri Lankan government hopes that museums or private collectors will be very interested in acquiring the specimen given its great size.

If nothing else, the publicity generated by the fact that the cluster was found in a backyard may be enough to generate interest in the Sri Lankan gem industry.

Regardless of what the ultimate value turns out to be and the potential consequences for the country as a whole, there is one very happy gem trader in Ratnapura.

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