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A Free Burma Is A Price Above Rubies

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 22, 2007

Last year, the world became familiar with the conflict diamonds - the gems that finance horrific and violent wars in some African countries - in the movie 'Blood Diamond.' But diamonds are not the only beautiful jewels with bloody origins.

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is renowned for its rubies, and with the crackdown by the military junta on peaceful, pro-democracy protestors last month the issue of blood rubies has become an international issue.

Germany's Der Spiegel magazine reports that international jewelers are continuing to aid the Myanmar junta in the ruby trade, a troubling prospect for Americans who unwittingly may be supporting this notorious regime when they by a gem.

The rubies of the Mogok Valley in Myanmar are cherished for their clarity, quality and the lush red color known as 'pigeon's blood.' But the blood Americans need to think about is that spilled by pro-democracy protestors and the Buddhist monks who lead the marches.

Recently, the Jewelers of America asked Congress to close a legal loophole that allows these rubies into the country, despite a ban on direct imports from Myanmar since 2003.

A year later, U.S. Customs issued a rule allowing gems mined in the country to be transported to the United States as long as they were cut or polished in a third country.

The jewelers' lobby, joined by gem giant Cartier, is also calling on retailers to begin ensuring that rubies they sell do not come from Myanmar.

Consumers need to add their voice and demand the jewel trade invoke the same international certification process that now identifies conflict diamonds and apply it to all gems.

The international community should not support violence and oppression for the sake of a stone.

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