Sri Lanka, Jan. 18 -- The 'Star of Pure Land', widely regarded as the largest natural purple star sapphire in the world, was officially unveiled during a special press briefing in Colombo yesterday (17). Weighing a staggering 3,536 carats, this rare gemstone has been certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) as a natural, unheated sapphire of exceptional quality.

The Lanka Gemological Laboratory (LGL) has also confirmed the stone's Sri Lankan identity, noting that it was discovered in the gem-rich soils of Ratnapura.

Geologists believe the stone was formed over millions of years through complex geological processes.

The sapphire features a prominent and perfectly symmetrical six-ray asterism, a star-like effect that rema...