A hidden gem has been placed on display at Expo 2020 Dubai‎’s Sri Lanka Pavilion

DUBAI: A flawless, vivid yellow sapphire was unveiled at the Sri Lanka Pavilion to coincide with the National Day celebrations of the tropical island republic.

The sparkling Mushan Vibrant Golden Yellow Sapphire is a 203-carat, cushion-cut gem, and has been brought to Expo 2020 Dubai by Mushan International, a leading sapphire exporter of Sri Lanka. It was mined in 2016 in Ratnapura, the sapphire capital of the world, and weighed 429 carats as a rough stone.

Mushan Salahudeen, Director of Mushan International, said: “We decided to bring this rare gem to Expo 2020 to showcase and promote a symbol of Sri Lanka’s natural resources. Our company is making its debut in the Middle East market, and we are setting up our head office in Dubai. The UAE has a great infrastructure, and business-friendly policies conducive to start-ups. There is a huge potential for coloured gemstones here – a niche market.”

Sapphires are a source of great national pride for Sri Lanka. Some of the rarest sapphires in the world have been mined there, and grace the private collections of billionaires and royalty.

The Mushan Vibrant Golden Yellow Sapphire is priced at approximately AED 15 million (USD 4 million), and the company plans to auction it in the UAE. It is being exhibited at the Sri Lanka Pavilion in Expo’s Opportunity District until January 5.

Source: Expo 2020 Website