Newly Discovered Ruby in Burma

A massive ruby found in Burma is being celebrated as the second largest ever recorded in the country, which has been struggling with ongoing conflict.

This ruby weighs around 11,000 carats, or roughly 4.8 pounds, and was discovered near Mogok in the Mandalay region—an area known as the heart of Burma’s jewelry trade, according to state media reports. The stone was dug up in mid-April, right after the traditional New Year celebrations wrapped up.

While this ruby is about half the size of the 21,450-carat one unearthed in 1996, experts believe that its quality could make it even more valuable.

Notably, its reddish-purple hue has a slight yellow tint, and it exhibits moderate transparency with high reflectivity.

Burma’s President, Min Aung Hlaing, along with his cabinet, has already checked out the stone in Naypyitaw, the capital.

Burma is known to produce about 90% of the world’s rubies; most of these gems come from Mogok and nearby Mongsu. The gemstone trade, both lawful and unlawful, plays a crucial role in the nation’s economy.

However, rights organizations like Global Witness have urged jewelers to steer clear of Burmese gemstones, suggesting that purchases may inadvertently support the military junta, which has been the focus of criticism for human rights violations.

The places where gems are mined often face instability. In fact, Mogok was controlled by the Ta’an National Liberation Army (TNLA), an ethnic armed group, in July 2024 but later came back under military control after a cease-fire agreement was established late last year, facilitated by China.