THE largest blue star sapphire in the world, weighing 1,404 carats and worth up to £120 million (US$176 million), has been discovered in Sri Lanka.

    The stone was found in August near Ratnapura, a city in the south of Sri Lanka nicknamed the City of Gems due to its prominent gem trade, local media reported.

    It is worth at least an estimated £68 million but could sell for up to £120 million.

    The sapphire’s new owner, who wished to remain anonymous, told Sri Lankan newspaper Ceylon Today he felt nervous when he found out it was the largest in the world.

    He would not say how much he paid for it.

    The stone is too large to be set in jewelry, he added, and should instead be displayed in a museum.

    He nicknamed it the Star of Adam, inspired by a Muslim belief that said Adam went to Sri Lanka after God banned him from the Garden of Eden.(SD-Agencies)