The huge sapphire was found, in July 2022, in Mozambique, at a mine operated by Fura, a Dubai-based mining company, according to the British Daily Mail.

The weight of the sapphire is 55.22 carats

The 55.22-carat sapphire is unusual not only for its size and clarity, but also for its location, as it was thought that only Burma had a sapphire of this color and clarity.

Some analysts said the “once in a century” discovery was shaking up the gem industry, and Sotheby’s has put an estimate at more than $30 million, which, if realized, would likely be the most valuable sapphire ever sold at auction.

Even in its rough, untouched 101-carat state, Sotheby’s said the sapphire was “regarded by experts as an extraordinary treasure of nature,” and the sapphire was celebrated “for its brilliance, supreme clarity, and vivid red color, known as ‘pigeon’s blood’ — a color associated with Traditionally in Burmese rubies only.

Sotheby’s head of jewelery department Koeij Bruning said the discovery had changed perceptions of African gemstones, bringing them on a par with Burmese.

Sapphire 2

He continued, “It is undoubtedly in a position to become the record holder for African sapphires, and gemstones in general, bringing global awareness of their ability to be on par with, and even surpass, those in Burma, which have traditionally been the most sought after sources.” and distinctive.”

The Gubelin Gem Lab, one of the laboratories that graded the gemstones, said the size and quality of the sapphire was almost unimaginable. Roughly imagine it.”

The company added: “The natural sapphire stone of 55.22 carats sets a new record not only for Mozambican sapphires, but also for sapphires in general.”