Massive 11,000-carat ruby believed to be second-largest ever found in conflict-ridden country

A monolithic ruby unearthed successful Burma is being hailed arsenic nan second-largest ever discovered successful nan conflict-ridden country.

The ruby weighs astir 11,000 carats — astir 4.8 pounds — and was unearthed adjacent Mogok successful nan Mandalay region, nan halfway of Burma’s gem manufacture and an area affected by ongoing conflict, according to The Associated Press, citing authorities media. 

The chromatic was recovered successful mid-April, soon aft nan country’s accepted New Year celebrations.

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Burma's recently discovered ruby is displayed astatine nan president's agency successful Naypyitaw connected May 7, 2026. (Myanmar Military True News Information Team/AP)

Although it is astir half nan size of a 21,450-carat ruby discovered successful 1996, experts opportunity nan caller find could beryllium much valuable because of its higher quality, nan outlet reported.

It has a purplish-red colour pinch flimsy yellowish tones, mean transparency and a highly reflective surface.

Burmese President Min Aung Hlaing and his furniture person already inspected nan chromatic successful nan country's superior of Naypyidaw.

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Burmese officials inspect a recently discovered ruby astatine nan president's agency successful Naypyidaw connected May 7, 2026. (Myanmar Military True News Information Team/AP)

Burma produces up to 90% of nan world’s rubies, mostly from Mogok and adjacent Mong Hsu. 

The gem waste and acquisition — some ineligible and forbidden — is simply a awesome root of income successful nan country.

However, rights groups, including Global Witness, person agelong urged jewelers to debar buying Burmese gemstones, saying nan waste and acquisition helps money nan country's subject governments, according to The Associated Press.

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This photograph taken connected May 16, 2019, shows miners moving successful a ruby excavation successful Mogok, northbound of Mandalay. (Ye Aung Thu/AFP via Getty Images)

Gem mining besides finances taste equipped groups fighting for autonomy, contributing to Burma’s long-running conflicts.

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The mining regions stay unstable. 

Mogok was seized successful July 2024 by nan Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), an taste equipped group. Control later returned to nan subject nether a ceasefire woody brokered by China late past year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.