Burma Gem Auction Starts Today

With the junta government-run Burmese gems auctions beginning today and running through November 26th, it will be more than interesting to see how international "awareness" (for lack of a full-out international ban) affects the sales, and profits, for what would appear to be the final auction of the year. Several international news agencies have posted review features, here, and here, and here, building anticipation as to what is expected - fewer attendees, but still major sales and profits for the military regime. Blame for this is anticipated as going mainly to the Chinese for buying more jadeite in anticipation of 2008 Olympics tourists expected to be looking for the ultimate Chinese souvenir.

For a thorough review of the recent troubles in Burma and how the gem trade’s involvement could affect a change, see Stuart Robertson’s Burma: Shades of Grey, here at the Guide.