A rare five-pound ruby has been discovered in Myanmar’s famed gemstone region of Mogok, marking one of the country’s most significant gem finds in decades.
The ruby weighs about 11,000 carats and was uncovered near Mogok shortly after Myanmar’s traditional New Year festival in April. Photos showed the deep-red gemstone displayed this week at the office of junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in the capital, Naypyidaw.
State media described the stone as the second-largest ruby ever discovered in Myanmar. The largest known ruby found in the country weighed 21,450 carats and was unearthed in 1996.
Gem quality raises the value of the discovery
Despite being smaller than the earlier discovery, the newly found gem is believed to hold greater market value because of its exceptional quality. Reports described the ruby as having vivid color, strong transparency, and a highly reflective surface, qualities considered highly desirable in the global gemstone trade.
Gem experts say rubies of this size and quality are extremely rare. Most rubies form in much smaller crystals, making large stones with strong clarity and rich natural color highly unusual in the gemstone market.
Mogok remains central to the global ruby trade
The ruby was discovered in Mogok, a mountainous region in central Myanmar long known for producing some of the world’s finest rubies. Often called the “Valley of Rubies,” the area has supplied prized gemstones for centuries and remains the center of Myanmar’s lucrative gem industry.
Myanmar has unveiled a rare 11,000-carat ruby discovered in the Mogok region, one of the world’s richest sources of high-quality gemstones.
The deep-red stone as the second-largest ruby ever found in the country and potentially more valuable than the one discovered in 1996. pic.twitter.com/nroGQ0qO4G
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) May 11, 2026
Myanmar is estimated to produce as much as 90% of the world’s rubies, with many of the highest-quality stones originating from Mogok. The country is also a major source of jade and other precious gems.
Industry faces international scrutiny
Human rights groups have repeatedly urged jewelers and luxury brands to avoid purchasing gemstones sourced from Myanmar, arguing that profits from the trade have helped support military governments and military-linked businesses.
Myanmar has remained politically unstable since the military seized power in 2021 and removed the country’s democratically elected government. Armed conflict continues across several parts of the country, including areas connected to natural resource extraction.
According to reporting by Associated Press, gemstone mining has also become an important source of income for some armed groups fighting for autonomy in conflict regions. Analysts say control over Myanmar’s natural resources, including gemstones, remains closely tied to political influence and economic power.
State media did not provide an estimated value for the ruby or say whether the stone would be sold, preserved, or added to a national collection.
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