Massive 11,000-Carat Ruby Found Near Mogok in Conflict-Hit Burma

A massive ruby unearthed in Burma ranks as the second-largest ever discovered in the conflict-ridden country.

The stone weighs about 11,000 carats, or 4.8 pounds, and came from near Mogok in the Mandalay region, the hub of Burma's gem industry and a zone plagued by ongoing fighting. The Associated Press reported the find, citing state media. It surfaced in mid-April, just after the country's traditional New Year celebrations.

The gem measures roughly half the size of a 21,450-carat ruby found in 1996. Experts say this one could fetch more value thanks to its higher quality, the outlet noted. It shows a purplish-red hue with faint yellow tones, moderate transparency and a highly reflective surface.

Burmese President Min Aung Hlaing and his cabinet examined the ruby in the capital, Naypyidaw.

Burma supplies up to 90 percent of the world's rubies, mainly from Mogok and nearby Mong Hsu. The gem trade, legal and illegal alike, generates major revenue in the country.

Rights groups like Global Witness have pressed jewelers to shun Burmese stones. They argue the trade bolsters the nation's military governments, according to The Associated Press.

Gem mining also bankrolls ethnic armed groups seeking autonomy and fuels Burma's protracted conflicts.

The mining areas stay volatile. The Ta’ang National Liberation Army seized Mogok in July 2024. Military control returned later under a ceasefire arranged by China late last year.