BANGKOK – In a remarkable find, miners in Myanmar have unearthed a massive ruby, now recorded as the second-largest by weight in the nation’s history, a country often troubled by conflict. This discovery was announced on Friday by state media.
The impressive gemstone, weighing in at 11,000 carats (or 2.2 kilograms, approximately 4.8 pounds), was found near Mogok, a town in the Mandalay region known for its thriving gem-mining industry. This area, however, has also been a hotspot for hostilities amid Myanmar’s ongoing civil war.
As reported by the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar, this rough ruby was discovered in mid-April, shortly after the traditional New Year celebrations.
Though this newly found ruby is only about half the weight of a colossal 21,450-carat stone discovered in 1996, it is considered more valuable. Experts point to its superior color and quality, describing it as having a purplish-red hue with yellowish undertones, a high-grade color, moderate transparency, and a highly reflective surface.
Myanmar is responsible for producing nearly 90% of the world’s rubies, mainly sourced from Mogok and Mong Hsu regions. Both the legal and illicit trade of these gemstones plays a significant role in the country’s economy. However, human rights advocates and organizations like Global Witness, based in the UK, have called on jewelers to cease purchasing these gems from Myanmar, citing the gem trade’s role in financially supporting military regimes over the years.
Earlier this year, a new government, claiming to be civilian-led, was established in Myanmar. However, human rights groups and opposition parties have labeled the elections a sham, as they reaffirmed the power of President Min Aung Hlaing, the military chief responsible for the 2021 coup. Recently, he and his Cabinet inspected the enormous ruby in his office in Naypyitaw, the country’s capital.
Gemstone mining also serves as a primary source of funding for ethnic armed groups fighting for autonomy, a factor that has helped fuel decades of internal conflict.
The security of these mining regions remains volatile. Mogok was captured in July 2024 by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, or TNLA, a guerrilla force representing the Palaung ethnic minority. Although the TNLA took over and operated the mines, control was eventually transferred back to Myanmar’s army as part of a China-mediated ceasefire agreement concluded late last year.
