[Jewelry making - Article 00891] - Re: [Orchid] Expanded sanctions on Burmese gems

[Douglas]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========

    This definitely is an interesting topic with no easy answers. It
    appears that JA as well as several large jewelry retailers are
    calling for an industry wide boycott of Burmese stones. Aside from
    the difficulty of proving the origin of any stone, (with the
    exception of jadeite I suppose) the question has to be asked whether
    a boycott will hurt the people or the generals more. 

    I have heard quite respected gemologists speak with glee about the
    amazing deals they used to get on Pailin sapphires from the Khmer
    Rouge in Cambodia back in the late 70's and early 80's. When asked
    about the ethical consderations of supporting genocidal maniacs the
    reply was "Hey, everybody needs rice." 

    here's a link to the Colored Stone article about the boycott:
    http://www.colored-stone.com/stories/nov07/burma.cfm 

Douglas
____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________