A massive ruby weighing approximately 11,000 carats was discovered in Myanmar’s Mandalay region, near Mogok, according to state media reports cited by The Associated Press. The stone was found in mid-April, shortly after the country’s New Year celebrations.
The ruby, believed to be the second-largest ever found in Myanmar, is about 4.8 pounds. While it is roughly half the size of a 21,450-carat ruby discovered in 1996, experts say its higher quality could make it more valuable. The gem displays a purplish-red hue with slight yellow tones, moderate transparency, and a highly reflective surface.
Burmese President Min Aung Hlaing and his cabinet have inspected the gemstone in Naypyidaw. Myanmar produces up to 90% of the world’s rubies, mostly from Mogok and nearby Mong Hsu. The gemstone trade is a significant source of income for the country, both legally and illegally.
Human rights groups, including Global Witness, have long urged jewelers to avoid buying Burmese gemstones, arguing the trade helps fund Myanmar’s military governments. Additionally, gem mining in Myanmar finances ethnic armed groups fighting for autonomy, contributing to ongoing conflicts. Mogok was briefly seized in July 2024 by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army but was later returned to military control under a ceasefire brokered by China late last year.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
