A massive 11,000-carat rough ruby has reportedly been unearthed in Myanmar’s Mogok region, one of the world’s most historically significant sources of premium rubies. The discovery is being described as the second-largest ruby ever found in the country by weight.

According to international reports, the gemstone weighs approximately 2.2 kilograms and was recently presented to Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw. State media images showed officials examining the stone, which is said to possess a purplish-red hue with moderate transparency and high reflective quality.

The Mogok region, often referred to as the “Valley of Rubies,” is globally recognized for producing highly coveted Burmese rubies, particularly stones exhibiting the sought-after “pigeon blood” colouration. Despite growing production from African origins such as Mozambique, Myanmar-origin rubies continue to command strong prestige and pricing within the international coloured gemstone market.

The discovery arrives at a time when provenance and responsible sourcing remain under heightened scrutiny across the jewellery industry. Myanmar’s gemstone sector has faced continued criticism from international human rights groups and trade stakeholders following the country’s 2021 military coup, with concerns around conflict-linked mining and transparency in gemstone supply chains.

For the global trade, the find is expected to renew attention on rare coloured gemstones, untreated Burmese rubies, and origin-led storytelling in the luxury jewellery segment.