BURMESE RUBIES

Jewelry dealers should watch their rubies. The United States is trying to enforce a ban on Burmese rubies because of Washington's sanctions against the ruling military junta. It is similar to the ban on "blood diamonds" from Africa. Many U.S. companies are not dealing with Burma, but gems are still sold by auction houses and retailers in private, according to the Financial Times. The ban may make the price of top-quality Burmese rubies go up and vintage jewelry with good rubies will become more expensive.