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U.S. Bans Import of Burmese Rubies and Jadeite
By B. Earth | December 11, 2008
Expanding the reach of its series of Burmese trade embargoes, the U.S. began enforcing a ban on rubies and jadeite of Burmese origin in October. Critics have deemed the move largely futile, given the vast quantities of gemstones already being traded on the international market, both legally and illegally. Nonetheless, any efforts to avoid fueling conflict in the military-controlled country are to be applauded.
While Burma is a leader in ruby production, it is not the world’s only source. Brilliant Earth rubies are ethically sourced from Malawi in accordance with strict human rights and environmental standards. Brilliant Earth exclusively sources from the Chimwadzulu Hill Mine in the red hills of Southern Malawi. These high-quality rubies are some of the first mined in accordance with fair trade principles, with above-average wages and health benefits available to all workers. Malawi’s alluvial deposits of gemstones also enable small scale mining that is limited to just part of the year in order to protect the environment. Finally, our mining partner supports the education of children in the region and is an important contributor to the local economy.
Topics: In the News, Mining Issues |