United States Bans Ruby and Jade Imports if Origin is Originally Burma (Myanmar)

Fine gemstones such as Sapphire, Ruby, Spinel, Peridot and Jade, as well as others, may be found in the country of Burma (now called Myanmar). The U.S. has recently enacted a ban on Ruby and Jade originating from this country. This is to supposedly curtail money from getting into the hands of the ruling government, which has been known to oppress their own people - many will recall how violent the government reacted to protests by students and monks not too long ago.

This is all well and good, assuming that one does not purchase from the gemstone auctions that are held by the government. These funds would literally be controlled by the government and would therefore support the government. However, those purchasing at these auctions are most likely the very large world players, and many would probably not even be from the United States. Many smaller dealers purchase their "Burmese" gemstones through sources other than the governmental auctions. These gemstones are usually found by an individual miner and/or their family, and the rough is sold surreptitiously behind the governments back, and therefore the government receives no funds - BUT, the small miner, his family/children support themselves with the funds received from the occasional piece of rough that might be found. Gemstones frequently make it from these miners over the border in to Thailand, where they are then faceted (many being heat enhanced also) and sold. This provides income to not only those poor miners living under the repressive regime in Burma, but also benefits those involved in the trade within Thailand. If a general ban shuts down this source of small income for both those living in Burma and Thailand, many people will be worse off than before.

All That Glitters and most others dealing in gemstones in the U.S., would not purchase gemstones directly or knowingly if they had passed through the Burmese Governmental Auctions.

In items that we have recently read, it is very strange what the U.S. government bans and doesn't ban. For instance, there seems to be U.S. corporations and businesses that are doing business in Burma. The U.S. Government has not mandated they stop doing business, but have only requested that they stop. Has this business been halted? Of course not.

We sent an email to an American living in Thailand who is also in the gemstone business. Our inquiry was on the most recent gemstone ban by the U.S. Government. Our associate had the following to say - "The ban is only on Jadeite and Ruby. Pretty stupid! Previously there was a ban on Americans buying ruby in Myanmar. The new ban broadens the restriction to Burmese Ruby and Jade where ever it is coming from...It would be nice if our government had a clue of what they are doing. ".


To obtain more information on this most recent ban, you can follow the
link below:
US Ban on Burmese Ruby and Jade