Rubies are among the world’s most desirable gemstones and many
of the finest specimens are mined in Burma (Myanmar), a nation
that has been cited for human rights violations. In response to
these violations, the U.S. government enacted the Burmese Freedom
and Democracy Act of 2003, forbidding the importation of products
from that nation, including rubies and jadeite. In 2008, this
prohibition was strengthened with the passage of the Tom Lantos
Block Burmese JADE Act, which closed a major loophole in
the previous law that had permitted the importation of Burmese
rubies and jadeite if they were cut and polished in other countries.

Tiffany & Co. is one of the few retail jewelers that has long
respected both the letter and the spirit of the 2003 Act. Since that
time, Tiffany & Co. has refused to buy gemstones that we can
reasonably identify as being of Burmese origin, regardless of where
the gems are cut or polished.

Tiffany & Co. commends the U.S. Congress for closing this loophole.