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Chemical Composition and Formation Process

Maw-Sit-Sit is a unique rock composed primarily of kosmochlor, chromian jadeite, chromian eckermannite, and albite. Its chemical composition is complex due to its formation in high-pressure, high-temperature environments within metamorphic rock. The dominant mineral, kosmochlor (NaCrSi₂O₆), gives it its distinctive green coloration. The rock forms in regions where tectonic activity has altered existing rocks through intense heat and pressure, resulting in the amalgamation of these various minerals.

Names and Alternative Names

The name originates from the village of Maw Sit in northern Myanmar, where the rock was first discovered. Alternative names include “Chrome Jade” and “Burmese Jade,” although these names can be misleading asit is not a true jade but a rock that contains jadeite and other minerals.

Mythology and Legends

There are no specific ancient myths about Maw-Sit-Sit. However, due to its jade content, it is often associated with the same protective and healing properties attributed to jade. In Asian cultures, including China and Myanmar, jade has deep historical significance, symbolizing virtue, purity, and protection.

Mining, Production and Use

Maw-Sit-Sit was first identified in the early 1960s by mineralogist Eduard Gubelin in Myanmar. Traditional mining methods involved manual extraction using basic tools, often by small groups of miners in the remote regions of northern Myanmar.
Today, it is still primarily sourced from Myanmar, with additional deposits found in regions with similar geological conditions. Mining involves both small-scale artisanal methods and more mechanized approaches. The extracted material is carefully sorted to ensure the highest quality stones are selected for use.