Miners in Myanmar have discovered a rare 11,000-carat ruby, weighing five pounds, near the town of Mogok — a region known for producing high-quality rubies and currently embroiled in armed conflict. The gem, unveiled by President Min Aung Hlaing, is considered the second-largest ever found in the country, though smaller than a 21,450-carat ruby discovered in 1996. What sets this new find apart is its superior transparency, color, and surface quality, making it potentially more valuable despite its size.

Myanmar is the world’s leading source of rubies, supplying up to 90% of global production, with the Mogok region at the heart of the industry. However, the gem trade has long been controversial, serving as a critical revenue stream for the country’s military government and various armed groups since the 2021 coup that overthrew the democratically elected leadership. International human rights organizations have repeatedly urged jewelers to stop sourcing gems from Myanmar due to the ethical concerns.

While the discovery is being celebrated domestically, it underscores the tension between natural wealth and human rights. The gem’s journey from mine to presidential office highlights how resource extraction remains deeply entangled with political control and conflict financing. No official valuation has been released, but experts note its exceptional quality could attract significant interest — and scrutiny.