Gemstones from Myanmar-Burma

We take supply chain issues seriously and the events in Myanmar/Burma are very disturbing.

Our vision and commitments are expressed in our Social, Ethical & Environmental Principles.Our company has been working for many years on issues that are of concern to our entire industry, and have joined other organizations to drive positive change throughout the supply chain. For example, our company is a founding member of the Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices (CRJP) and the World Diamond Council (WDC), and, in the United States, a member of Jewelers of America (JA) and the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC).

Given our deep concern about the unrest in Myanmar/Burma, and its military government's human rights violations, beginning October 12, 2007 we required that suppliers do not knowingly sell us any gemstones of Burmese origin. We also issued instructions to our suppliers, requiring that they confirm on all future orders placed that the gemstones provided were not knowingly mined in Myanmar/Burma.

In addition, we implemented an independent, third-party country-of-origin quality assurance random testing program of our ruby jewelry in partnership with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the world’s largest and most respected non-profit institute of gemological research and learning.

The Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE (Junta’s Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act of 2008 was approved unanimously by Congress and signed by President George W. Bush in July 2008.  It went into effect on September 27, 2008 and enforcement of the law’s requirements began on October 27, 2008 following a 30-day grace period granted by the US Customs and Border Protection agency.

It outlaws the importation of Burmese-origin rubies and jade.  It does not cover other types of precious gemstones produced by Burma, nor does it forbid the sale of Burmese-origin gems legally imported to the US under prior rules.

Since we are not direct importers of rubies, we have received written confirmation from our suppliers that they are taking the legally required steps to comply to the JADE Act.  We have also maintained our independent, third-party, country-of-origin testing of rubies that are provided to us by our suppliers.