The Largest Sapphire Ever Found
The biggest sapphire ever found is the Star of Adam, a blue star sapphire weighing 1,404.49 carats, which is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the largest gem-quality star sapphire in the world. It was mined in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, and its name references the Muslim tradition that Adam arrived in Sri Lanka after being expelled from the Garden of Eden. The gem is valued for its size, six-rayed star, and deep blue color, and it has been the benchmark for the largest sapphire discovery in modern times Guinness World Records.
Before the Star of Adam, the record was held by the Black Star of Queensland, a 733-carat black star sapphire, and earlier by other large Sri Lankan and Mogok sapphires. The Star of Adam surpassed them in both weight and global recognition, and it is cited in gemological reports as the largest certified star sapphire ever discovered. Its discovery renewed interest in large corundum finds and highlighted Sri Lanka as a historic source for exceptional sapphires Forbes.
Origin, Mining, and Ownership
The Star of Adam was found in a mine in the Ratnapura district of Sri Lanka, a region known for high-quality rubies and sapphires. The rough sapphire was acquired by a local dealer and later sold to an international buyer, with details of the transaction reported by gemstone dealers and auction houses. Its origin in Sri Lanka is confirmed by gemological testing, and the stone is classified as a natural, untreated star sapphire with a prominent asterism caused by rutile silk inclusions.
Ownership of the Star of Adam has been linked to private collectors and dealers rather than a single public company, and the sapphire has been displayed at select gem and jewelry exhibitions. Sri Lanka's gem industry, regulated by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, continues to market large star sapphires as flagship national gems, and the Star of Adam is frequently referenced in trade reports as the country's most significant modern sapphire find Gemological Society.
Value, Auction, and Market Context
Valuations of the Star of Adam have not been formally disclosed in a public auction, but industry estimates place its worth in the tens of millions of dollars based on its record size, clarity, and star effect. Large blue star sapphires of this caliber are considered museum-grade stones, and comparable fine star sapphires have sold for millions at auction houses such as Sotheby's and Christie's, setting benchmarks for the highest price per carat for sapphire Sotheby's.
The market for large colored gemstones, including sapphire, has grown as investors seek alternatives to diamonds, and record-breaking stones like the Star of Adam attract attention from collectors, jewelers, and gemological institutes. Certification from laboratories such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF) supports the stone's authenticity and provenance, reinforcing its position as the benchmark for the biggest sapphire ever found GIA.