World's largest uncut sapphire is coming to Dubai (all 451,000 carats)

The world's largest uncut sapphire is coming to Dubai this spring.

Called the Priceless Sapphire, because its owner considers it to be "impossible to evaluate", it is officially the largest 100 per cent natural blue and white sapphire in the world.

Weighing more than 90kg, and measuring at 451,000 carats, it was certified as the largest carved sapphire in the world by the Guinness World Records in December 2020. 2020. Now, the huge, irregularly shaped precious gemstone is being brought to the UAE.

The Priceless Sapphire was found in Madagascar in 2019. Photo: SM Share Management AG

“The world’s biggest sapphire is going to the world's most expensive city,” says Leon Pogelshek, founder and owner of SM Share Management AG, the company that owns the stone. Ahead of the official unveiling, Pogelshek will host investors and industry leaders to discuss the rare stone in Dubai on Wednesday. The stone will be unveiled in spring, although no date has been confirmed.

Unearthed in Mananjary, Madagascar, in 2019, it was held at the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Slovenia, and is now owned by the Zurich company SM Share Management AG.

When it was discovered, the stone weighed 140kg, and was covered in 20 to 30kg of hardened crust that had to be removed before the true nature of the find was revealed. Sapphires are from the corundum family, which also includes rubies, and are characterised as dense, compact minerals — the second hardest after diamonds.

The Priceless Sapphire is the largest blue and white sapphire in the world. Photo: SM Share Management AG

Madagascar is rich in gold and precious stone deposits, including rubies, sapphires and emeralds, as well as semi-precious stones such as beryl, aquamarine, tourmaline, topaz and garnet. Madagascan gemstones are considered to be of exceptional quality. One of the world’s largest emeralds, the Heaven’s Gift, was mined in the country in 2007.

Despite the rich natural resources, however, the majority of the Madagascan population live in extreme poverty and below the line of poverty as defined by the World Bank. The result is widespread illegal and unregulated mining that both degrades the soil and endangers lives.

Day 3, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage, the Sri Lanka pace bowler, has had to play a lot of cricket to earn a shot at the top level. The 29-year-old debutant first played a first-class game 11 years ago. His first Test wicket was one to savour, bowling Pakistan opener Shan Masood through the gate. It set the rot in motion for Pakistan’s batting.

Stat of the day – 73 Haris Sohail took 73 balls to hit a boundary. Which is a peculiar quirk, given the aggressive intent he showed from the off. Pakistan’s batsmen were implored to attack Rangana Herath after their implosion against his left-arm spin in Abu Dhabi. Haris did his best to oblige, smacking the second ball he faced for a huge straight six.

The verdict One year ago, when Pakistan played their first day-night Test at this ground, they held a 222-run lead over West Indies on first innings. The away side still pushed their hosts relatively close on the final night. With the opposite almost exactly the case this time around, Pakistan still have to hope they can salvage a win from somewhere.

Stage results

1. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 4:39:05

2. Michael Matthews (AUS) Team BikeExchange 0:00:08

3. Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma same time

4. Jack Haig (AUS) Bahrain Victorious s.t

5. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe s.t

6. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates s.t

7. David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ s.t

8. Sergio Higuita Garcia (COL) EF Education-Nippo s.t

9. Bauke Mollema (NED) Trek-Segafredo s.t

10. Geraint Thomas (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers s.t

Specs

Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)

Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)

Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)

Where to apply

Applicants should send their completed applications - CV, covering letter, sample(s) of your work, letter of recommendation - to Nick March, Assistant Editor in Chief at The National and UAE programme administrator for the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, by 5pm on April 30, 2020.

Please send applications to nmarch@thenational.ae and please mark the subject line as “Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism (UAE programme application)”.

The local advisory board will consider all applications and will interview a short list of candidates in Abu Dhabi in June 2020. Successful candidates will be informed before July 30, 2020.

TO A LAND UNKNOWN

Director: Mahdi Fleifel

Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa

Rating: 4.5/5

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Kumulus Water

Started: 2021

Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid

Based: Tunisia

Sector: Water technology

Number of staff: 22

Investment raised: $4 million

If you go

The flights

There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.

The trip

Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.

The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.

SPECS

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The specs: 2018 Maserati Levante S

Price, base / as tested: Dh409,000 / Dh467,000

Engine: 3.0-litre V6

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 430hp @ 5,750rpm

Torque: 580Nm @ 4,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 10.9L / 100km

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UAE squad

Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.

UAE tour of Zimbabwe

All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I

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Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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Naga

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