A significant ruby, weighing approximately 11,000 carats (4.8 pounds), has been discovered in Burma, marking it as the second-largest ever found in the country. Unearthed near Mogok in the Mandalay region, the ruby was revealed shortly after Burma’s traditional New Year celebrations in mid-April. While it is smaller than a 21,450-carat ruby found in 1996, experts suggest this new stone may be more valuable due to its higher quality, characterized by a purplish-red hue and remarkable transparency. The ruby has already been inspected by Burmese President Min Aung Hlaing and his cabinet in Naypyidaw. Burma is responsible for around 90% of the world’s rubies, primarily sourced from Mogok and nearby Mong Hsu, but the gem trade has been linked to funding military and ethnic armed groups, perpetuating ongoing conflicts in the region.
Why It Matters
The discovery of this ruby highlights the dual nature of Burma’s gem industry, which is a major source of income but also a contributor to prolonged internal conflicts. The mining regions, particularly Mogok, have been the center of military and ethnic struggles, with control shifting between the military and armed groups like the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA). Rights organizations have called for boycotts of Burmese gemstones, citing concerns over how the gem trade finances the military and exacerbates human rights violations. The ruby’s find further emphasizes the intricate relationship between natural resources and conflict in Burma.
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