Sri Lanka gifts a sapphire hairpin to royal bride

Sri Lanka has sent a blue Sapphire studded diamond hair pin as a gift to the royal bride Kate Middleton who is marrying Britain's second in line to the throne, Prince William on Friday.

Quoting Sri Lanka's state-owned National Gem and Jewellery Authority (SLGJA) Indian news agency PTI reported that the gift was in appreciation of the British Royal family's association with Sri Lanka's sapphires over many generations.

"This is the first ever international campaign aimed at raising awareness about the rarity and value of the Ceylon Sapphire," Macky Hashim, the SLGJA chief, has said.

The hair pin had already been delivered to the Middletons, according to the SLGJA chief.

The Gem and Jewellery Authority says blue Sapphires from Sri Lanka gaining serious world attention after Prince William presented Kate Middleton with his mother's engagement ring with an oval shaped blue sapphire from Sri Lanka surrounded by 14 diamonds set in 18 karat white gold.