Myanmar's military-backed government announced on May 8, 2026, the discovery of a colossal 11,000-carat ruby in the Mogok region of Mandalay. Described as exceptionally large, rare, and of superior quality with a purplish-red hue and yellowish undertones, this gemstone is deemed more valuable than a larger ruby found in 1996 in the same renowned gem tract. The Mogok valley has historically been a site of conflict due to its valuable "pigeon-blood" rubies, which are the most expensive globally and can command multimillion-dollar prices, despite the gemstone industry's lack of regulation. This discovery occurs amidst Myanmar's ongoing civil war following the 2021 military coup and the recent inauguration of a former junta leader as president.