Jewelry Blog

The Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act, awaiting President Bush’s signature, will close a loophole in the current act by banning Burmese gems, including rubies and jade, from reaching the United States through third-party countries, such as Thailand, where most of the gems are processed.

The bill is designed to take aim at Myanmar’s ruling military junta, which profits from state-run gemstone auctions but has received much negative attention for its documented history of human rights violations. Tensions flared up last year when Burmese monks were victims in the military’s violent crackdown against protestors. The country’s rubies were being called “blood rubies” in the press, with First Lady Laura Bush among those pushing for a complete U.S. ban of the stones. Currently 90 percent of the world’s rubies originate in Myanmar.

Time will tell how this affects the gemstone trade in the industry, but for the short term I expect to see quality rubies become less available.

David Yurman returns to the supermodel spokesperson with the return of Kate Moss. The new ad campaign, featuring Kate, Daria Werbowy, Amber Valleta, Natalia Vodianova and Naomi Watts, is shot in a stark black and white by Peter Lindbergh.

The clean photos and stunning women are a perfect compliment to Yurman’s bold jewelry designs of two tones and large gemstones.

David Yurman isn’t the only place you’ll be seeing Kate though. She has also signed with Italian designer Roberto Cavalli to star in his signature line jewelryadvertisements.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of the “It’s a Girl Thing” line of bracelets, necklaces, and phone charms distributed by Bead Bazaar USA.

13,000 pieces of jewelry have been recalled due to high levels of lead found in the jewelry although no injuries have been reported to date. The jewelry was sold from February 2006 through June 2008 for about $6 each.

Consumers are advised to take the jewelry from children immediately and return it to the store it was purchased at for a full refund. You can also contact Bead Bazaar USA at 800-838-1769 or visit their website at http://www.beadkit.com for more information.