But once in a while, a ban is removed. In October 2016, the United States lifted the ban on rubies coming into the country from Myanmar. It was put in place in 2008 to force the military government to improve human rights. The rubies now permitted are the famed Burma rubies considered some of the best in the world. (Yes, Myanmar is the new name for Burma.) The ban caused financial problems and the miners are happy to go back to work. Look for new ruby jewelry. For the past eight years, only old ruby jewelry could be imported.