Miners in Myanmar have uncovered an exceptionally rare ruby weighing about five pounds and measuring approximately 11,000 carats, according to reports from the country’s state media.
The massive gemstone was discovered near Mogok, a conflict-affected region widely known as the centre of Myanmar’s lucrative ruby mining industry.
Images released by the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar later showed the ruby displayed at the office of Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, in Naypyidaw.
According to the report, the gemstone was found shortly after Myanmar’s traditional New Year celebrations in April and was officially unveiled this week.
State media described the discovery as the second-largest ruby ever found in Myanmar. The largest recorded ruby in the country was a 21,450-carat stone discovered in 1996.
Despite being smaller than the earlier discovery, the newly unearthed ruby is reportedly considered more valuable due to its superior colour, transparency, and highly reflective surface quality.
Myanmar remains one of the world’s leading sources of rubies, with experts estimating that the country produces up to 90 per cent of the global supply, most of it originating from the Mogok region.
However, Myanmar’s gemstone industry has long faced criticism from international human rights organisations, which have called on global jewellers to avoid sourcing gems from the country.
Critics argue that the gemstone trade has become a major source of revenue for military authorities and armed groups operating in the region, especially following the 2021 military takeover that overthrew the country’s democratically elected government.
Reports also indicate that gemstone mining in parts of Myanmar continues to finance armed groups involved in ongoing conflicts and autonomy struggles across the country.