In July 2008, US President George W. Bush signed a law that modified existing sanctions against Burma (Myanmar). Hidden in the fine text of that bill was an exemption for the US oil giant, Chevron.
In 2003, the US government signed into law a ban on the importation of any article that was produced, mined, manufactured, grown or assembled in Burma (Myanmar), creating a defacto ban on the importation of Burmese gems. This article examines both the pros and cons of that ban.
The author makes his first pilgrimage to Burma's Mogok Stone Tract, home of the pigeon's blood ruby.
Digital Devil #13. A tale of Burmese rubies, Burmese heat, a Shan princess and a Burmese general.
An account of the authors' 1997 visit to Burma's jade mines.
A brief history of Burmese (Myanmar) sapphires, along with details of some of the major pieces of yore.
A description of the fracture healing of Mong Hsu ruby, along with the problems this has created in the gem trade.
The chapter on ruby and sapphire from Burma (Myanmar) from Richard Hughes' 1997 book, Ruby & Sapphire.
An exploration of Thailand's gem border towns with Myanmar (Burma), Mae Sot and Mae Sai.