Giant 11,000-Carat Ruby Discovered in Myanmar

Islamabad: Miners in Myanmar have discovered an extremely rare and massive ruby weighing 11,000 carats, making it the second-largest ruby ever found in the country, according to state media reports.
According to reports cited by ABC News, the giant gemstone was discovered in mid-April shortly after traditional New Year celebrations in the northern Mogok region, an area globally renowned for its precious gemstone industry.
The ruby weighs approximately 2.2 kilograms and is being described by experts as exceptionally valuable due to its rare color and high quality.
Gem specialists said that although the newly discovered stone is nearly half the size of the 21,450-carat ruby found in 1996, its unique coloration could make it even more valuable in the international market.
Experts described the ruby as having a purplish-red hue with noticeable golden-yellow reflections. Its highly polished surface and exceptional color quality further enhance its worth.
Myanmar produces nearly 90 percent of the world’s rubies, and the gemstone trade remains one of the country’s major sources of income. However, international human rights organizations, including Global Witness, have repeatedly urged buyers to avoid purchasing gemstones from Myanmar, arguing that the industry has long provided financial support to military governments.
State media also reported that a new civilian-style administration was formed in Myanmar following this year’s elections, under which military leader Min Aung Hlaing was elected president in 2021.
President Min Aung Hlaing recently inspected the giant ruby along with cabinet members at his office.
Officials said the Mogok region, which had remained a center of conflict and armed clashes during the country’s civil unrest, is now back under administrative control, allowing mining activities to resume in the area where the rare gemstone was found.
Precious stones continue to serve as a major source of legal and illegal revenue in Myanmar.