Miners in Myanmar have discovered a massive 11,000-carat ruby, the second-largest ever found in the conflict-ridden Southeast Asian nation, state media reported on Friday. The rough gem, weighing 2.2 kilograms, was unearthed in mid-April near Mogok, a town in the upper Mandalay region that is the heartland of Myanmar's lucrative gem-mining industry.
The ruby is described as having a purplish-red hue with subtle yellowish undertones, high-quality colour, moderate transparency, and a highly reflective surface. While a larger stone of 21,450 carats was found in 1996, the newly discovered ruby is considered more valuable due to its exceptional colour and clarity.
Myanmar produces up to 90% of the world's rubies, primarily from the Mogok and Mong Hsu regions. The gem trade, both legal and illicit, provides significant revenue for the country. However, human rights organisations, including Britain-based Global Witness, have urged jewelers to stop buying Myanmar gems, citing the industry's role in funding successive military governments.
The discovery comes amid ongoing civil war and volatile security in mining areas. Mogok was briefly captured in July 2024 by the Ta'ang National Liberation Army, but control was later returned to Myanmar's army under a China-mediated ceasefire. President Min Aung Hlaing, the army chief who led the 2021 coup, recently inspected the giant ruby at his office in Naypyitaw.
