PodcastsJan 12, 2026
The latest poscasttest
SourcingFeb 16, 2021
White House Imposes Sanctions on 3 Burmese Gem Companies
The government says they are wholly owned subsidiaries of a conglomerate owned or controlled by the Burmese military, which was behind the recent coup.
Washington, D.C.—President Joe Biden has enacted a number of new sanctions against Myanmar’s military, its leaders and their business interests, including three gemstone companies.
The sanctions come after a recent coup in Myanmar in which the military junta seized power, ousting leader Aung San Suu Kyi and detaining other key government officials.
According to a Feb. 11 statement from the White House, the president has introduced new sanctions in response, adding 10 individuals and three companies to the Office of Foreign Assets Control’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List for their association with the military regime.
The three named entities are Burmese gemstone companies: Myanmar Ruby Enterprise, Myanmar Imperial Jade Co. Ltd., and Cancri Gems & Jewellery Co. Ltd.
The White House said they are “wholly owned subsidiaries of a conglomerate owned or controlled by the Burmese military.”
As of now, the sanctions include gemstones from those three companies only, JVC Senior Counsel Sara Yood confirmed.
But, she added, it is “highly probable” there will be further action in the area, including the possibility of a ban on all gemstone imports from Myanmar or other limitations.
“JVC’s recommendation to businesses is to make inquiries into their colored gemstone supply chains to determine if they are directly or indirectly doing business with these entities, and if so, to immediately stop doing business with them,” Yood said.
The import of Burmese gems to the United States has been off and on for more than a decade.
Former President George W. Bush signed the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act into law in 2008, banning the import of rubies and jade from Myanmar in response to what Washington deemed were human rights violations by the country’s ruling military regime.
The ban on gems was lifted in 2016 under the Obama administration, though former President Donald Trump introduced some sanctions again starting in 2018 amid reports of ethnic cleansing of Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslim population.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the PodcastA monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With VideoTest Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast PostAbstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for SaleThe GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian TsarThe November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday SeasonDeloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
SurveysOct 07, 2024
Hill & Co.’s New ‘Business of Jewelry Report’ Is OutThe first in what is slated to be a series of in-depth reports from the consulting company, it focuses on shortening supply chains.
WatchesOct 04, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Clocks Another Acquisition—HodinkeeThe company said Benjamin Clymer will return to his role as head of the watch news website, which will maintain editorial independence.
