Against  the backdrop of  the recent protests and  government  crackdowns  in Burma (Myanmar),  the  gemstone  and  jewelry industry has begun asking questions about the origins of  their gemstones. Burma  is  the world’s primary source of rubies and a leading source of many other gemstones.  Sales  and  exports  of  gemstones  are reported  to directly benefit  the  ruling  junta, which seized power in a coup d’etat in 1962.

 

In  reaction  to  these  events,  Jewelers of America (JA)  and  the World  Jewellery  Council  (CIBJO)   are pursuing  a  comprehensive ban on  the export and  trade  of  Burmese  gemstones.  The  JA  is   asking  the U.S. Congress  to  amend  the Burmese

Freedom & Democracy Act of  2003, which bans the importation of products from Burma, to include gemstones mined in the country. If the amendment is  accepted,  JA wants  it  to  remain  effective until Burma agrees  to  the democratic  reforms proposed   in  January  2007  to  the United Nations  Security Council.

 

That resolution called for national reconciliation and democratization in Burma, the release of all political prisoners, an end  to human-rights abuses and  the inclusion of opposition  and  ethnic minorities  in dialogue leading to a genuine democratic transition.

 

Until such a ban is placed, some high-end companies, including Cartier and Tiffany & Co., have announced they will not buy gems that are from, or that could possibly be from, Burma.

 

JA  is  informing  its members  about  the  situation in  Burma  and  advising  them  “to  source  their gemstones in a manner that respects human rights,” says  JA President and CEO Matthew A. Runci. The organization is also asking members to take concrete steps, including contacting their suppliers to ascertain whether any of the gems they supply are from Burma and  to seek written assurances  from  their suppliers that they will not knowingly supply any gems mined there, until the process of democratic reform starts.

 

CIBJO  has  voiced  strong  condemnation  of  the widespread repression in the East Asian nation state. It called on its member organizations to refrain from purchasing gemstones from Burma.

 

In a  statement  issued by CIBJO,  the Confederation stated  it,  “deplores  the  violent  repression  of individuals, human rights and democracy in Burma,” and voiced support for the UN Human Rights Council resolution  and  Security Council  statement on  the

situation.

 

In more practical  terms,  the organization  reminded its members  of  their  commitments  to  abide  by   the CIBJO Code of Ethics. It is also urging members   of  the  trade  to  seek  information  from  their   suppliers  to ascertain  if  their gemstones originated in  Burma  and  to  “consider  seriously  refraining from  purchasing  any  Burmese  gemstones  until   such  time  as  the  United  Nations  indicate  that   the process  of  democratic  reform  has  started  in Burma.”

 

Adding  its  voice  to  the debate,  the  International Colored Gemstone Association  (ICA)  say while  it, “exhorts  its members  to  desist  buying Burmese gemstones  from  any  government  sources  and marketing organizations,”  it also warns against any hasty decision  towards  “a  systematic ban  to  trade with Burmese gemstones.”

 

The ICA strongly recommends, “all parties cautiously consider the negative impact and collateral damage that  indiscriminate measures  could  inflict  upon independent  and  poor  populations  engaging  in mining, processing and trading activities in Myanmar

and other countries.”

 

It  adds  that  it  fully  supports  the  UN  Human   Rights Council  resolution  ratified by  the  Security Council Presidential Statement of October 11, and condemns  the  violent  repression  of  individuals, human  rights  and pro-democracy movements  in Myanmar.

 

Illustrating  the depth of  current  feelings,  industry magnate Lev Leviev  recently  found himself  in  the spotlight  after  a  reporter  from  the  Sunday Times visited the Leviev store on Old Bond Street in London and found large rubies. The article equated the rubies

to conflict diamonds, referring to the argument that Burma’s  ruby  and precious  stone exports finance and support the Burmese junta.

 

In response, the Leviev Group said it does not deal in conflict goods – diamonds or otherwise – and the jewels were purchased over  the years  from private collections.