Massive ruby unearthed in conflict-hit region of Burma
Fox News • • world
Key Points:
- A massive 11,000-carat ruby, the second-largest ever found in Burma, was unearthed near Mogok in the Mandalay region, a key area in the country's gem industry and conflict zone.
- The ruby, discovered in mid-April, is noted for its high quality, featuring a purplish-red color with slight yellow tones, moderate transparency, and a highly reflective surface, potentially making it more valuable than the larger 21,450-carat ruby found in 1996.
- Burmese President Min Aung Hlaing and his cabinet have inspected the stone in Naypyidaw, highlighting the gem's national significance amid ongoing conflict.
- Burma produces up to 90% of the world’s rubies, with the gem trade being a major income source, but rights groups warn that it funds both the military government and ethnic armed groups, perpetuating conflict and instability in mining regions.
- The Mogok area remains unstable, having been seized by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army in July 2024 before control was returned to the military under a China-brokered ceasefire.