Miners unearthed an 11,000-carat ruby in Myanmar, but the real story goes beyond size

A ruby with an estimated weight of 11,000 carats has been discovered by miners in Myanmar, marking it one of the largest rubies ever discovered in the Asian country. Reports indicate that the gemstone has been discovered in a place that is renowned for its high-quality rubies.Based on reports from the Myanmar state-run media, the 4.8-pound gemstone was discovered in mid-April, right after the country celebrated its traditional New Year holiday. The discovery has gained much attention due to the fact that Myanmar continues to be the leading producer of rubies in the world. According to experts, the Asian country accounts for almost 90 percent of global ruby production.Why the ruby is so valuableAlthough the ruby is not among the largest ever discovered in Myanmar, reports indicate that the quality of the gemstone could actually make it more valuable than other, even larger gems discovered before.Colour is one of the main factors that contribute to ruby valuation. According to the Gemological Institute of America, the best rubies usually have a highly saturated and bright red colour. The term “pigeon blood” has been traditionally used by gemologists to denote the finest red rubies. Many of the finest examples were mined in the Mogok district of Myanmar.The state media recently noted that the ruby was characterised by a purple-red hue with yellowish tones as well as a moderately transparent appearance with high reflectivity.Mogok is well-known for rubiesThe new ruby has almost half the weight of the biggest ruby ever found in Myanmar, which weighed about 21,450 carats and was discovered in the country back in 1996. Nevertheless, the quality of gemstones is even more important than their weight.This ruby has been discovered in the Mogok district of Myanmar. The place has gained the reputation of being the “Valley of Rubies,” as it has been traditionally known for producing gemstones for centuries.As reported by the Natural History Museum of London, some of the best rubies have ever been produced in the region due to its favourable geological conditions. Myanmar's ruby business has for years supplied luxury markets within Asia, Europe, and the USA. The luxury jewellery firms have appreciated the rareness of the Mogok stones due to their quality.At the same time, the Burmese gemstone industry is a crucial component of the country’s economy. The trade in valuable stones such as rubies and jade contributes substantially to the country’s earnings. Why are giant ruby finds uncommon?Giant rubies are exceedingly rare. Diamonds tend to be flawless in terms of colour and clarity, whereas rubies may contain fractures, impurities, and inclusions. It is rare to discover large rubies with commercially valuable colour and clarity.Gemologists have attributed this rarity as the reason for the worldwide fame that accompanies any significant discovery of rubies. This stone qualifies to be one of the most valuable international commodities owing to its rarity, financial value, and astrological significance.The discovery encapsulates beautyThe recently unearthed 11,000-carat ruby goes beyond the fact that it is a superlative gemstone. It illustrates Myanmar's unique role in the global gemstone market. This ruby is considered a precious discovery by gemstone collectors and experts. Additionally, the combination of beauty, rarity, and significance explains the global interest in the discovery of this ruby.