近日，斯里兰卡宝石学家声称，在该国的矿山中发现了迄今为止最大的蓝星宝石。
Gemologists in Sri Lanka claim that the largest blue star sapphire yet has been discovered in a mine in the country.
斯里兰卡首都科伦坡的宝石学会已认证该宝石重达1404.49克拉，是迄今为止所认证的最大宝石。该蓝星宝石价值至少达1亿美元，目前该宝石的持有者预计拍卖价将会达到1.75亿美元。
The gemology institute in the capital Colombo has certified that the gem weighs 1404.49 carats and say they have not certified anything larger. The gem is valued at at least $100m and the current owner estimates that it could sell for up to $175m at auction.
斯里兰卡的蓝宝石产业是其主要出口支柱产业，每年至少为这个国家贡献7000万英镑（合1.03亿美元）的收入。
Sri Lanka's gem industry, for which sapphire is the main export, is worth at least 70m pounds ($103m) annually.
蓝星宝石，因宝石中心处带有独特的星星标志而得名。“我看到它的那一刻就决定买下它，”目前不希望公布姓名的该宝石持有者向BBC新闻频道透露。
Blue star sapphires are so named because of the distinctive mark found at their centre. "The moment I saw it, I decided to buy," the current owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the BBC World Service's Newsday programme.
“当看到这块宝石时，我觉得它有可能是世界上最大的蓝星宝石。所以，我就冒险买下了它。”
"When the stone was brought to me I suspected that it might be the world's largest blue star sapphire. So I took a risk and bought it."
持有者也不愿透露该蓝星宝石的成交价，这当然是绝对的机密。而此前世界上最大的蓝星宝石重达1395克拉，这颗蓝星宝石重达1404.49克拉，打破了此前的世界记录。
The owner said it was "absolutely confidential" how much he paid for it. The previous record holder weighed 1,395 carats.
目前这颗宝石被持有者起名为“亚当之星”，之所以起这个名字是因为穆斯林信仰的亚当在伊甸园被驱逐后便来到了斯里兰卡，人们相信亚当便住在这里的亚当峰。
It has been named the The Star of Adam by its current owner, after a Muslim belief that Adam arrived in Sri Lanka after being sent away from the Garden of Eden. It is claimed he then lived on the slopes of a mountain now known as Adam's Peak.
亚当之星的持有者买下宝石后表示，它不仅是一件珠宝，更是一件展品。
The owner of the Star of Adam said he bought it thinking "this was not a piece of jewellery but an exhibition piece".