World Jade Origins
Jade is found across the globe, each source producing material with distinct characteristics. Select a region to explore its jade type, geological formation, and significance.
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Myanmar
Kachin State, Myanmar
Formation Process
Jadeitite forms in high-pressure, low-temperature (HP/LT) subduction and collision settings. Jadeite crystallises from Na-Al-Si rich fluids as veins hosted within serpentinite bodies. Myanmar's deposits show wide variability in textures and mineral content, with jadeite, omphacite, and kosmochlor all present.
Key Characteristics
Produces the world's finest Imperial Green jadeite. Material ranges from pure white (ice jade) through vivid greens, lavenders, and blacks. Chemical and textural inhomogeneity can make classification by common gemmological methods difficult — Raman and FTIR provide reliable identification.
Significance
Myanmar is the world's primary source of gem-quality jadeite. The jade trade is central to Myanmar's economy, with annual production valued in billions of dollars. Top-quality Myanmar jadeite sets the global benchmark for jade value.
Ethical Considerations
Myanmar's jade sector is strongly linked to conflict, governance, and human-rights risks (documented by Global Witness, civil-society, and UN reporting). The Kachin area has been a zone of armed conflict. The US Treasury and EU have sanctioned Myanmar-linked gemstone entities including Myanma Gems Enterprise. Any 'origin: Myanmar' claim should trigger compliance screening.