jadeite
boulders found here are said to be about the size of a buffalo, which
shows that the boulders have not travelled far from their source. The
workings are usually on the lull-sides and river bed.
Before
mining is started, 'jade-nats' (spirits) are propitiated by almost
every worker, irrespective of his nationality. They believe that if the
nats are pleased, the miners will have valuable finds quickly. Tools
such as crowbars and spades are used and four men work together. Bamboo
pumps are used for bailing water. In stream beds, as in the Uru river,
mining is possible throughout the year. The water is dammed in the
stream. After removal of the overburden, work is started in the
boulders. Work is mostly of the primitive fashion. Just as in the Ruby
Mines areas, if a valuable find is made on one spot all the miners rush
to that spot and feverish mining starts there. The miners consist
mostly of Kachins, Shans, Burmans, Chinese and occasionally Indians.
The labour is financed by the jade merchants.
Jade-cuttting Industry
Jade-cutting
is really a Chinese industry, and artistic carving is mostly done in
China. Surface carving and bead making are done at Mandalay.
The
abrasives used are coarse carborundum and crushed gem from Mogok. The
gem is crushed locally by girls. The powder obtained is mixed up with a
gum imported from China. These abrasive slabs are mounted on flat
rectangular plates. The first stage in the cutting of jadeite consists
of sawing of boulders with big, heavy bamboo bows. The cutting is done
with steel wire; generally two or three wires are used. Coarse
carborundum and water are also used in the form of a paste, which is
poured on the boulder continuously.
Small pieces are cut by means of a sharp-edged disc of bronze 14 inches in diameter. Fine carborundum and
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