COLOMBO, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan government said Friday that the huge star sapphire cluster found in the country last year has been registered in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest star sapphire cluster.
State Minister of Gem and Jewelry Related Industries Lohan Ratwatte quoted in the local Daily Mirror said the stone, weighing over 500 kg, had entered the Guinness Book after it was certified as the largest star sapphire cluster by the Gübelin Gem Lab in Switzerland.
The star sapphire cluster was found in Ratnapura, a traditional center for the Sri Lankan gem trade, located 100 km southeast of the country's capital Colombo last year.
Sri Lankan officials said the cluster weighs around 510 kg or 2.5 million carats and has been named the "Serendipity Sapphire."
The minister said that the cluster which is currently in Switzerland will be taken to Britain for auction. ■
