Myanmar Says Giant 11,000-Carat Ruby Found in Mandalay Region

Myanmar has announced the discovery of a massive ruby weighing 11,000 carats (2.2 kilograms), a rare find even for the country’s central gemstone hub of Mogok near Mandalay.

The purplish-red stone, found after the new military-backed government took office in April, is “exceptionally large, rare, and difficult to find,” according to a statement from the Ministry of Information on Friday. Due to its color grade and quality, it’s considered more valuable than a 21,450-carat ruby found in the same town in 1996, the ministry said, without specifying an estimated value.