A massive gemstone weighing about 2.2 kg (around 11,000 carats) has been unearthed from a mine in Myanmar’s Mandalay region, according to reports from the capital Naypyidaw.
The find was made in Mogok, a town widely regarded as the country’s “gemstone paradise,” where mining has long produced rare and high-value stones. The newly discovered stone is described as a purple-tinged red gem and was found in late April.
Officials have reportedly placed the rare gemstone under tight security in Naypyidaw. While a much larger 21,450-carat gemstone was found in the same region in 1996, experts say the latest discovery ranks “number one” in quality.
Specialists also estimate that the stone’s moderate light transmission and strong reflectivity could push its price far above that of the earlier find. However, Myanmar’s gem trade continues to face international criticism, with human rights groups warning that revenues could be linked to the country’s civil conflict and military rule.
