Sri Lanka, the legendary "Island of Gems" or Rathna Deepa, has contributed an unparalleled collection of extraordinary gemstones to the world. Renowned for large, exceptional blue sapphires and star corundum, its treasures reside in the crowns of monarchies and the halls of the most prestigious museums. An astounding 17 of the world's 30 largest and most valuable gemstones hail from this small island. Here are their remarkable stories.

1. The Giant of the Orient
Weight: 466 carats
Type: Blue Sapphire
Details: Found near Adam's Peak in 1902, this cornflower-blue cushion-cut sapphire was the largest of its kind at the time. After disappearing from public view for nearly a century, it re-emerged at a Christie's auction in 2004 before being sold to a private British buyer.

2. The Logan Blue Sapphire
Weight: 423 carats
Type: Blue Sapphire
Details: The second-largest faceted blue sapphire globally, this internally flawless stone is a masterpiece of Sri Lankan cutting expertise. It exhibits a rich blue color with a violet overtone and is now displayed at the Smithsonian Institution, set with 20 brilliant-cut diamonds.

3. The Blue Belle of Asia
Weight: 395.52 carats (after recut)
Type: Blue Sapphire
Details: Discovered in a Ratnapura paddy field in 1926, this cornflower blue sapphire set a world record in 2014 when it sold at Christie's Geneva for $17.29 million, the highest price ever paid for a sapphire at auction at the time.

4. The Star of Lanka
Weight: 193 carats
Type: Star Sapphire
Details: This grayish-blue star sapphire is famed for its distinct six-rayed star. It was accurately named by the Royal Ontario Museum, where it has been displayed since 1958, to honor its true Sri Lankan origin.

5. The Pride of Sri Lanka
Weight: 856 carats (rough)
Type: Blue Sapphire
Details: Mined near Ratnapura in 1998, this gigantic deep blue sapphire is one of the largest ever found in Sri Lanka. Its public exhibition was a moment of national pride, though its current whereabouts are unknown.