Burmese rubies banned
The U.S. ban on gemstones from Myanmar, such as the coveted Burmese ruby, is now in effect.
Feds set grace period for non-Burmese gemstones
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency is granting a 30-day grace period to importers and exporters of non-Burmese gemstones who need additional time to meet new mandatory requirements.
Feds set grace period for non-Burmese gemstones
Washington—In the wake of a ban on Burmese rubies and jadeite, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency is granting a 30-day grace period to importers and exporters of non-Burmese...
Burmese ruby ban takes effect
Washington--A long-expected U.S. ban on gemstones from Myanmar took effect on Monday, 60 days from the date that President Bush signed the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act of 2008 into law.
ICA: Gem ban could hurt Burmese miners, traders
New York—The International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) is expressing concern that the recently approved U.S. import ban on gemstones from Myanmar may "cause collateral damage" that will...
Bush says goodbye rubies, Tuesday
Washington, D.C.—President Bush has signed off on legislation that makes it illegal for rubies and jadeite from Myanmar, including stones that were processed in third-party countries, to be...
Tiffany ad applauds stricter Burmese-ruby embargo
New York—In an ad that ran on Monday in the Washington Post, Tiffany and Co. gave the U.S. Congress kudos for passing legislation that would ban the importation of all gemstones from Myanmar...
U.S. Congress passes Burmese gem ban
Washington, D.C.—The U.S. Senate passed a bill late Tuesday to place a total embargo on the importation of gemstones from Myanmar, including gemstones that are mined there and subsequently pass...
Thais fret over looming Burmese ban
Bangkok, Thailand—A strong Thai presence at the ongoing gemstone auction in the military-ruled state of Myanmar (formerly Burma) may jeopardize Thailand's opportunity to export to Western...
Boycott clouds gem show in Myanmar
The Gems Emporium began on Wednesday and continues through Nov. 26.
AGTA supports strengthening embargo on Burmese goods
Dallas—The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has announced that it fully supports proposed legislation pending in Congress that seeks to strengthen the embargo of materials originating in...
ICA weighs in cautiously on Burmese gemstones
New York—The International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) has issued a statement that condemns the violent repression of individuals, human rights and pro-democracy movements in Myanmar...
Congress panel approves Myanmar gem curbs
On Tuesday, an amendment was passed in the House of Representatives that bans the sale of rubies, jade and other gems mined in Myanmar and routed through neighboring countries. The Block Burmese JADE...
CIBJO urges trade not to purchase Burmese gemstones
Milan, Italy—The President Council of The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) has issued a statement that strongly condemns the human rights violations in Burma (officially the Union of...
Italian jeweler Bulgari boycotts Myanmar gems
In a recent statement regarding its ban on gems from Myanmar, Bulgari declared that it has never bought gems directly in the country, "only on the international markets." The world's third-largest...
JA to Congress: Take action on Burmese gemstones
New York—Jewelers of America (JA) has sent letters to Congress as well as an advisory to its members detailing its deep concern over the current unrest in Burma and its military government's...
Myanmar's rubies—bloody color, bloody business
The military regime in Myanmar is funded by the sale of sapphires, pearls, jade and, most of all, rubies—its biggest earner. Since 1964, when Myanmar generals began holding official sales of...
Rapaport news: Myanmar announces first gem-merchants association
Recognized as the best destination for quality jade, rubies and blue sapphires, Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is creating the first gem-merchants association. Foreign traders interested in...
JA applauds Burmese gem ban
New York—Jewelers of America (JA) commends the U.S. Congress for its passage this week of a bill banning Burmese gemstones, a measure JA has been advocating for some time.
Reactions mixed on U.S. Burmese ruby ban
Mumbai, India—The recent U.S. ban on rubies and jadeite from Myanmar (formerly Burma), including stones that were processed in third-party countries, will impact ruby exporters in Thailand, but...