(Web Desk) - A massive and rare ruby weighing around 11,000 carats has been discovered in Myanmar, making it one of the largest gemstones ever found in the country.
The discovery was made in mid-April in the Mogok region of northern Mandalay, an area widely known as the heart of Myanmar’s gemstone industry.
According to reports, the ruby weighs approximately 2.2 kilograms and is considered highly valuable due to its exceptional colour and quality. Experts say it is the second-largest ruby ever discovered in the country.
While it is roughly half the size of a 21,450-carat ruby found in 1996, specialists believe its value could still be extremely high because of its unique colour characteristics and clarity.
Gem experts described the stone as having a purplish-red hue with noticeable golden undertones, along with a highly polished surface and premium-grade quality.
Myanmar is responsible for nearly 90% of the world’s ruby production, making its gemstone industry a major source of national revenue. However, international human rights organizations, including Global Witness, have repeatedly urged caution in buying gemstones from Myanmar, citing concerns that the industry has historically supported military-linked administrations.