Afghan Voice Agency(AVA)_Monitoring, The ruby, which weighs about 1 kilogram, has been hailed as “one of a kind” due to its rich purple coloring and size, the National News reported.
The ruby was discovered in the village of Hyderabad, bordering Iran and Afghanistan and its owner said he hoped the unexpected find would help bring a change of fortune for villagers without access to schools, hospitals or even electricity for some.
The uncut stone could cost at least $10 million in the market, asset manager Patrick Pilati told The National.
“It was an accidental finding from the village called Hyderabad bordering Iran and Afghanistan. There is no mining activity in the village that is under the jurisdiction of Afghanistan,” he said.
The rough stone is deep purple in color and bigger than the palm of a hand. A certificate of authenticity …by the International Testing Laboratory Gems and Jewellery, in Jaipur, Rajasthan in India, and shown to The National, stated the rough ruby weighs 5,010 carats.
Azad Rokhsati, a gemologist, who was also present at the event, confirmed the size and weight.
“I have never seen anything like this,” he said.