Jade

In Myanmar, Jades originally come from jadeite mines of Hpakan, Kachin State, Upper Burma (now known as Myanmar) located about 420 aerial km north of Mandalay, amidst some of the most inaccessible jungle on the planet.

Jade is roughly separated according to the manner in which it is mined. By far the vast majority is recovered from alluvial deposits of the Uru River, located Northern Myanmar, conglomerate. This occurs as rounded boulders with a thick skin and is termed river jade. In contrast, mountain jade appears as irregular chunks with a thin skin, and is recovered directly from in situ deposits. The green and lavender colors are independent of the deposit type, but red to orange jade is limited to those pieces of jade recovered from an iron-rich soil. The reddish color results from a natural staining of the porous jade's skin. In general, the value of jade is determined according to its colour and the intensity of that colour, the vivacity and texture, and its clarity and transparency.