Jade or JADE? Debating international sanctions on Burma's gem industry

Abstract

For centuries Burma has been prized for its high-quality gemstones, and today the Burmese gem industry continues to thrive at a furious pace despite international sanctions. Conventional estimates are that up to 90 percent of the world’s supply in rubies and 70 percent of premium jadeite is of Burmese-origin. Renaud Egreteau, Research Assistant Professor at the University of Hong Kong, discusses how Western-led international sanctions have failed to stem the trade in Burmese gemstones.