In the Myanmar city of Mandalay, jade is big business. As a result of the rising Chinese middle-class, the demand for jade has gone through the roof as having jade products is a serious status symbol there. This insatiable demand has fueled an abundant yet deregulated jade industry in Myanmar. Northern Myanmar has the highest quality jadeite mine in the world considered precious in China going as far back as the 10th century. The jade trade in Myanmar involves the mining, distribution and manufacturing of jade jewelry and products.
At the Mandalay jade market, you’re in the heart of it. You can see all aspects there, artisans inspecting the transparency of raw jade with tiny flashlights, men on foot-powered sanders polishing jade into fine nuggets, air-conditioned jewelry shops with $10,000 necklaces, and perky auctioneers wielding several smartphones selling products to buyers online all over the world.
