Miners in Myanmar have discovered a rare 11,000-carat ruby weighing about five pounds in the country’s renowned gem-producing region of Mogok.
State media in Myanmar reported that the ruby was unearthed near Mogok, a town widely known for gemstone mining and regarded as one of the world’s leading sources of high-quality rubies.
The newly discovered gemstone was later presented at the office of Myanmar’s military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, in the capital, Naypyidaw.
According to reports, the ruby was discovered shortly after Myanmar’s traditional New Year festival in April and officially unveiled this week.
The gemstone is now considered the second-largest ruby ever discovered in Myanmar.
Reports indicated that while the newly discovered stone is smaller than the country’s largest known ruby — a 21,450-carat gem found in 1996 — experts consider the latest find more valuable due to its superior colour, transparency, and reflective surface.
Myanmar is a major global source of rubies, accounting for a significant share of the world’s supply, particularly from the Mogok mining region.
The country’s gemstone industry remains a major source of national revenue.
However, Myanmar’s gemstone trade has attracted criticism from international human rights organisations, which have called on global jewellers to avoid sourcing gems from the country.
Critics argue that proceeds from gemstone mining have historically supported Myanmar’s military authorities.
The country has experienced prolonged political and security instability since the military takeover in 2021, which ousted the democratically elected government.
Reports also indicate that gemstone mining in some regions serves as a source of income for armed groups involved in ongoing conflicts with the military government.
