Myanmar’s famed “pigeon-blood” rubies, the most expensive precious coloured stones in the world, are found near the city of Mogok in the central part of the country. But the region’s industry is changing after the lifting of US sanctions in October and recent changes to laws which had limited mining to companies with links to Myanmar’s military. Now, thousands of treasure hunters have rushed to the area, often risking their lives trying to mine for the elusive red gems.