A huge gemstone weighing the equivalent of a dog has been discovered in Myanmar and officials say it could be worth millions.
Miners in Myanmar have discovered a giant rare stone, the second largest by weight ever found in the war-torn nation.
The huge 11,000-carat ruby was found in the Mogok region – famous for its precious stones.
Weighing in at 4.8 pounds – the same weight as a full-grown, healthy Chihuahua – according to the new military-backed government – describing it as “exceptionally large, rare and difficult to find.”
“The color of the giant ruby is purple-red with yellow undertones and is considered a high quality color grade,” it said in a statement on Friday.
Smaller than a 21,450-carat ruby found in the same area in 1996, the new gem is reportedly more valuable because it is “superior in color, clarity and overall quality,” the government said.
Rock star!
The second largest diamond found so far is a 2,492 carat stone, which is worth crores.
so amazing
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The exact value of the stone has not been released.
Coup leader-turned-President Min Aung Hlaing was photographed examining a huge ruby in his office on the front page of state newspaper Global New Light.
Emperors, kings and warlords have long fought to control the Valley of Mogok in the Mandalay region, where the unique “pigeon-blood” stones are hidden.
Mogok rubies are among the most expensive in the world.
The highest quality jewelry can fetch prices of several million dollars in an industry that is extremely lacking in regulation.
Myanmar has been ruled by a junta since 2021, when a military coup triggered civil war.
Former military chief Min Aung Hlaing was sworn into office as civilian president last month after tightly restricted elections.
Miners in Myanmar have unearthed a huge rare ruby, which would be the second largest ever found by weight in the war-torn nation, according to state media.
This major discovery comes just months after a stunning purple star sapphire was found in Sri Lanka.
Potentially worth around £300 million, the ‘Purple Star Sapphire’ weighed an incredible 3,563 carats – and was the largest natural star sapphire ever found.
Star sapphire is a type of sapphire gemstone that gives star like reflection of light.
It’s called an asterism, and this particular gemstone has a six-rayed asterism, giving it a particularly dazzling appearance.
This fascinating gemstone has been named the ‘Star of Pure Land’ and may be one of the most valuable gemstones ever discovered.
“It is the largest purple star sapphire of its kind,” gemologist Ashan Amarasinghe said.
