Myanmar’s state-run media announced the discovery of an 11,000-carat ruby, weighing 2.2 kilograms, unearthed in the mining town of Mogok in the Mandalay Region. The announcement by the Global New Light of Myanmar on May 12, 2026, stated that the gemstone was inspected by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the country’s military government.
According to the state media report, the ruby has a “purplish-red color with yellowish undertones” and is considered to have a “high-quality color grade.” The report further described the stone as having “moderate transparency, excellent vitreous luster,” and noted it remains in its natural, unenhanced state.
The Global New Light of Myanmar compared the find to a 21,450-carat ruby discovered in the same region in 1996, stating that while the previous stone was larger, the recently discovered ruby “is considered more valuable because its color and quality are superior in comparison.” An official valuation for the new gemstone has not been released. For comparison, the 25.59-carat polished Sunrise Ruby, also from Myanmar, was sold at a Sotheby’s auction for $30.42 million in 2015.
The Mogok area, a historical center for gem mining, has been a site of conflict. In mid-2024, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army and allied People’s Defense Forces took control of the region during an offensive. Military forces regained control of the area in November 2024 following Chinese-mediated talks.
The discovery occurs within the context of international scrutiny of Myanmar’s gem industry. A 2019 report from the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar detailed connections between the country’s military, known as the Tatmadaw, and the mining sector.
The U.N. report identified two military-controlled conglomerates, Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC), as having significant involvement in the gem industry. The mission stated these companies provided financial support for the military’s operations and were linked to human rights violations.
“The revenue that the Tatmadaw earns from domestic and foreign business deals substantially enhances its ability to carry out gross violations of human rights with impunity,” the 2019 report concluded. It specifically noted the companies’ involvement in jade and ruby mining in Kachin and Shan states.
Following the military’s assumption of power in February 2021, several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, imposed sanctions on military leaders and military-controlled entities, including those in the gem trade, in response to the political situation and human rights concerns.
