Giant 11,000 carat ruby discovered in Myanmar

"A giant 11,000-carat ruby has been discovered in Myanmar's war-torn Mogok valley. The enormous gem weighs 2.2kg (4.8lbs), or as much as a small dog. This is one of the largest gems ever discovered in the country, which is famous for its ruby production. With its rare 'pigeon blood' colouration and high quality, Myanmar's military-backed government says it could be the most valuable ever found."

"Although the stone is yet to be valued, high-quality rubies can be worth up to $1,000,000 per carat, according to the International Gem Society. According to the government, the ruby is 'exceptionally large, rare, and difficult to find'. They add: 'The giant ruby has a purplish-red colour with yellowish undertones and is considered to have a high-quality colour grade.'"

"Rubies, which are naturally forming crystals of red corundum, get much of their value from their size, colour, and clarity. Most rubies are around one or two carats, with gems weighing three carats or more being exceptionally rare. This makes larger gems worth far more than they would be based on the quality of the stone alone."

"The most desirable and highly prized rubies are those that possess an intense, deeply saturated red colour. 'The purer and more intense the colour, the higher the value of a ruby.' The most valuable rubies of all are those known as 'pigeon blood' stones, which have a vibrant, almost fluorescent red colour. The vast majority of these pricey stones are found in Myanmar, which produces around 90 per cent of the world's rubies."

An 11,000-carat ruby was discovered in Myanmar’s Mogok valley, weighing about 2.2kg. The gem has a purplish-red color with yellowish undertones and is described as having a high-quality color grade. Myanmar’s military-backed government says the stone is exceptionally large, rare, and difficult to find, and could be the most valuable ruby ever discovered. The ruby’s value depends heavily on size, color, and clarity, with most rubies weighing one to two carats and three carats or more being exceptionally rare. High-quality rubies can reach up to $1,000,000 per carat, and the most prized pigeon-blood stones are typically found in Myanmar’s Mogok and Mong Hsu valleys.

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