The U.S. House and Senate passed legislation Tuesday that bans the import of all Burmese jade and ruby into the United States.

The U.S. House and Senate passed legislation Tuesday that bans the import of all Burmese jade and ruby into the United States.

De Beers said Wednesday that sales in the first half of 2008 increased 10 percent to $3.74 billion.

Stamford, Conn.—To call Russ Hollander a purist would be an overstatement, but the jeweler must be at least 18-karat.

New York—Two tickets to The Oprah Winfrey Show are among more than 100 items to be offered at the Women's Jewelry Association's (WJA) Silent Auction, to be held during its 25th Awards for Excellence gala on July 27.

Providence, R.I.—The third annual Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America (MJSA) Trade Show for Jewelry Making (TSJM) will be held in September and will provide jewelry-makers and designers with a wide range of tools, components, supplies and services.

New York—The Diamond Development Initiative (DDI) is working to do for artisanal diamond mining what the Kimberley Process did for conflict diamonds, namely, to clean up the process and help the estimated 15 million miners and their dependents worldwide who depend on this craft to live.

New York—The America's Best Jewelers Network Retail Benchmarking Symposium and Awards Presentation will make its debut this weekend, recognizing 31 couture retailers for their contributions and progressive strategies in creating successful businesses.

Washington, D.C.—The U.S. Senate passed a bill late Tuesday to place a total embargo on the importation of gemstones from Myanmar, including gemstones that are mined there and subsequently pass through third-party countries, according to the Associated Press.

London—Total sales increased 10 percent in the first half of the year for the De Beers Group, but the diamond giant is approaching the second half of the year with caution due to weakness in the U.S. market, the company reported on Wednesday.