Rubies in Burma
 

I know that there are a lot of fake rubies vendors try to sell tourists in Burma. Where are there reliable places to buy rubies (not set). About how much is saved by buying there rather than in the US (assuming that they are real)?

I've not purchased rubies in Burma, but did some research on it, so consider this info second-hand.

All "real" rubies are supposed to be sold through government stores (and obviously, the government takes a big cut on these). Some jewelers will sell you "rubies" under the table, but of course these come with no guarantees. The governnt says it will confiscate any rubies being exported without proper government receipts. (I don't know if this is a real danger or not)

I have purchased rubies in Bangkok at the jeweler I've used for 20+ years, SJ international. I can buy rubies there for one-fourth the US retail price (real retail, not inflated mall jewelers), which is one-half the US wholesale price.

Could I get better prices in Burma? It's not clear that I could for high quality rubies.

If you are in the market for rubies, do lots of research at home first. Go to the best jewelers in your area, look at the stones through a jewelers loupe, talk with a jeweler about what constitues a fine ruby. Learn to recognize the most valued color. "pigeon's blood red."

Kathie is right -- the only rubies you can legitimately buy and take out of the county are from a government store. Personally I would not give one cent to the government for anything that wasn;t essential. So I just took a HUGE pass.

Thanks for the advice. I didn't realize I'd have to buy from a government store. I agree that it is not worth it.

I did buy some rubies in Burma, from stores that are sanctioned by the government. As much as I didn't want to give any money to the gov't, it is the only way to ensure they are real and of good quality. You can buy rubies in Burma more cheaply but, you will never be sure they are real until you get home and then it is too late to do anything if they are not.

As for the cut the gov't gets on jewelry from gov't sanctioned stores, it's hard to say. We spent several hours with a woman who owned one such store and, although she would rather they take nothing, she indicated she did okay and was able to support a second home in Thailand for several months of the year. She did say that she makes out pretty well but what exactly that means, who knows.

If you buy any jewelry from non-gov't stores, if you are caught when leaving the country, they can and probably will confiscate it. When entering Burma, you are supposed to declare all jewelry you bring in with you, which we did. Upon leaving the country, they check the list of what you brought in and question you if they see a discrepancy. I had declared a pair of earrings that I was wearing upon entering but wasn't wearing when we left and was questioned about them and had to explain that I still had them but wasn't wearing them. Why they cared about something I brought in I can't say. Did they think I would sell them there?? I also had to hand over all the gov't receipts for jewelry that I did buy and show them the items. I did have one pair of earrings that I bought from a non-gov't store and had them in my pocket. They weren't found as I wasn't searched so it was not a problem.

laurie---interesting story about the jewelry...we were not questioned at all either entering or leaving...and we did have some jewelry...and karen bought some while there, but not rubies...

When I made the decision to go to Burma I also decided that I would not knowingly give money to the government if I could avoid it. Thus I decided I would not buy any gems. Period. I know myself well enough to know I would get sick looking at a gem (no matter how gorgeous) that I bought from them. Thus I bought inexpensive things from villagers or locals whenever I could (and basically didn't bargain) to help the people and to provide memories from me. But I did not go to Burma to shop or to support the government--tand we spent several days in Moguk, the ruby mining town itself.

I also was concerned about buying any gems from any non government store because I had a visit set up with Aung San Suu Kyi (perhaps the most incredible few hours of my life) and thus I knew I was on a government watch list. So I was very careful not to do anything that could get me in trouble and buying gems from a non government store is one of them.

Gloria - I feel the same way you do about the government situation. As always, thanks for your inputl. Are you aware of any deals on gens in Singapore? It is my only other stop on my way home.

I think whether or not to buy from a government store is a decision each person must make for themselves, just like whether or not to even go to Burma. From what I understand, Aung San Suu Kyi does not believe that tourists should even come to Burma and would rather they stay away, but I don't agree that keeping the people isolated from the outside world is necessarily the best thing for them. As for buying rubies or other gems, I thought about it and made the decision to do so since I was assurred that the sellers did make a profit on the sales. I would have preferred the government get nothing but it wasn't an option. We did make sure we stayed in privately run hotels and flew the privately run airline but I'm not sure that's even a guarantee that the gov't doesn't get a cut. I have a sneaking suspicion they take a cut of everything. When we went, we also had to cash the equivalent of $200 each into FEC's (gov't currency) and you could not exchange it back upon leaving, nor would any other country recognize it, thus, the gov't was getting it. From what I understand, this no longer applies to tourists coming in on their own. Anyway, it's a personal decision on what to do and I do not feel guilty about it.

Bob, perhaps if I hadn't declared anything upon entry, they wouldn't have questioned me upon leaving but since the Burmese government is such an oppressive junta, I felt it was wise to not play games and try to get around their rules. That's also why I decided to hand over my receipts to them.

I absolutely agree that whether to go to Burma or not or whether to buy from government stores or not is a personal decision. We spent a long time trying to decide about going in the first place and ultimately came to the same conclusion as Laurie -- that we could do more good by going than by staying home. I also suspect tha laurie is right in assuming that the government gets a cut from even privately owned hotels. So it is a decision that each person needs to make for themselves.

Since I had a meeting set up with "the lady" I also decided it would not be wise to play games with the government so I declared everything. I had no problems but didn't want to take any risks.

Gloria, I wouldn't be surprised if you are still on a government watch list given you met with Aung San Suu Kyi. I have no doubt that when you go back, your name will pop up on a screen with neon lights while going through immigration! You will probably always have to be very careful when there, until the current government is history (which hopefully, will be sooner rather than later, but I'm not holding my breath). I'd love to hear about your meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi some time. She seems to be an incredible lady.

Laurie-- I'm sure you're right. I am about to apply for a visa to return to Burma and we are both hoping that we'll be let in again. But we both will obviously be very careful. I was told the last time that their big concern is with journalists so we made sure not to bring any recorders or camcorders etc. And kept no diaries. My friend who arranged the meeting is the daughter of the first President of independent Burma (a Shan who was killed along with Aung San). She lives in NY and is pretty active in the democracy movement. She grew up with the lady. Anyway she preped me before I went so I knew what to do and not to do to avoid getting myself or others into trouble.

I'm sure you'll be allowed back in. Just be careful--we need your continued input on this forum!