Miners in Myanmar have unearthed a massive ruby weighing 11,000 carats (2.2 kilograms, or 4.8 pounds), making it the second-largest by weight ever discovered in the conflict-battered Southeast Asian nation, according to state media reports on Friday.
Discovery Near Mogok
The gem was found near the town of Mogok in the upper Mandalay region, the heartland of Myanmar's lucrative gem-mining industry. This area has recently experienced intense fighting as part of the country's wide-ranging civil war. The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar reported that the rough ruby was discovered in mid-April, just after the traditional New Year festival.
Value and Quality
While the new ruby weighs roughly half of the 21,450-carat (4.29 kilograms, or 9.45 pounds) stone found in 1996, it is considered more valuable due to its superior color and quality. It exhibits a purplish-red hue with yellowish undertones, a high-quality color grade, moderate transparency, and a highly reflective surface.
Myanmar's Ruby Industry
Myanmar produces up to 90% of the world's rubies, primarily from Mogok and Mong Hsu. Gemstones, both legally traded and smuggled, are a major revenue source. Human rights activists and organizations like Global Witness have urged jewelers to stop purchasing Myanmar gems, as the industry has funded military governments for decades.
Political Context
A new civilian government was installed this year following elections criticized as a sham by human rights and opposition groups. The vote returned President Min Aung Hlaing, the army chief who led the 2021 military takeover. He and his Cabinet recently examined the giant ruby at his office in Naypyitaw.
Conflict and Control
Gemstone mining also funds ethnic armed groups fighting for autonomy, fueling decades of internal conflict. Security in mining regions remains volatile. Mogok was captured in July 2024 by the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), a guerrilla force representing the Palaung ethnic minority. The TNLA operated the mines until control was transferred back to Myanmar's army under a China-mediated ceasefire concluded late last year.
