MOGOK — Miners in Myanmar unearthed an 11,000-carat ruby near the town of Mogok in the upper Mandalay region in mid-April, the second-largest such stone by weight ever found in the country. The rough ruby, equivalent to 2.2 kilograms or 4.8 pounds, was discovered just after the traditional New Year festival, according to a report from the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar.

The stone weighs roughly half as much as a 21,450-carat ruby found in 1996, but the newer discovery is considered more valuable because of its color and quality. The ruby has a purplish-red hue with yellowish undertones, a high-quality color grade, moderate transparency and a highly reflective surface.

President Min Aung Hlaing and his Cabinet examined the gemstone at his office in Naypyitaw. A new civilian government was installed in Myanmar this year, and the election returned Min Aung Hlaing, the army chief who led the February 2021 military takeover, to power.

Myanmar produces as much as 90% of the world's rubies, primarily from the areas of Mogok and Mong Hsu. Gemstones, both legitimately traded and smuggled, are a major source of revenue for the country.

Gemstone mining also serves as a primary source of funding for ethnic armed groups fighting for autonomy and has fueled decades of internal conflict. The security of gemstone mining regions in Myanmar remains volatile. Mogok was captured in July 2024 by the Ta'ang National Liberation Army, a guerrilla force representing the Palaung ethnic minority. Control of the mines was transferred back to Myanmar's army as part of a China-mediated ceasefire agreement concluded late last year. Human rights activists and the group Global Witness have urged jewelers to stop purchasing gems sourced from Myanmar, citing the industry's role as a revenue stream for military governments.