272 SYSTEMATIC DESCRIPTION OF PRECIOUS STONES 



A peculiar feature connected with " byon " is its occurrence in caves in the limestones. 

 These can be traced for miles underground, now as wide and high chambers or vaults, now 

 as small crevices and narrow cracks. These caves are either wholly or in part filled with the 

 " byon," which is usually covered over with a thick deposit of calcareous tufa in stalactites 

 and stalagmites of the most fantastic shapes. 



Previous to 1886 the deposits were mined exclusively by the natives, who adopt methods 

 differing according to the conditions. In alluvial deposits in the valleys the " byon " layer 

 is reached by excavating pits (" twinlones "), 2 to 9 feet square. When the excavation is 

 made in loose, crumbling material the sides of the pit are supported by bamboo. From the 

 bottom of the pits are driven horizontal galleries from one pit to another, so that as much 

 as possible of the gem-bearing earth may be excavated. The light, earthy part of this 

 material is removed by washing, and the remaining sand then searched for precious stones. 

 The actual work of excavating can only be undertaken in the dry season of the year. 



The ruby-bearing layer on the sides of the hills is reached by means of open cuttings 

 or trenches (" hmyaudwins "). Their excavation is usually effected by means of running 

 water, which is led in bamboo pipes often over considerable distances to the spot where it is 

 required. The flow of water thus obtained washes away the superimposed debris and all the 

 lighter part of the gem-bearing layer, leaving the heavy precious stones behind. This 

 kind of work is naturally carried on in the rainy season, since large volumes of water are 

 required. 



Finally, we come to the " loodwins," or workings in the gem-bear'ing material, filling the 

 limestone caves. This material is excavated and washed for precious stones in the ordinary 

 way. The workers in cuttings on the hillside occasionally come upon limestone caves ; a 

 specially large one was found and worked about the year 1870 on the Pingudaung Mountain 

 near Kyatpyen. 



The mines situated in the alluvial deposits of the river valleys are the most important, 

 and the greater part of the yield is derived from the mines in the valleys in which stand the 

 towns of Kyatpyen, Kathay, and Mogok, the latter valley being especially rich. The cave 

 deposits are probably rich enough to pay for the introduction of European mining 

 methods ; the primitive efforts of the natives are attended by great danger and loss of life, 

 and by very meagre returns. 



In former times intending miners were obliged to procure a licence before undertaking 

 any work ; they were also required to pay a tax and to hand over to the king all stones 

 exceeding 1000 rupees in value. Whether the finder of such a stone received anything in 

 return for it depended entirely upon the caprice of his sovereign. It was natural that 

 attempts should be made to evade this obligation ; many large and valuable stones were 

 broken up into pieces small enough to be legitimately retained by the finder, while others 

 found their way into the hands of illicit dealers. 



Persons desirous of trading in rubies were required to obtain the permission of the 

 Government of Burma, and were subject to a special tax. The monthly yield of stones was 

 about 50,000 to 100,000 rupees worth, and before being put on the market they had to be 

 taken to the Ruby Hall in Mandalay. Side by side with the legitimate trade there 

 flourished a trade in smuggled stones, the finest of which found their way through Lower 

 Burma into India, being in many cases sold in Calcutta. In the time of the last king of 

 Upper Burma (deposed in 1886) it is said that the illegitimate trade in rubies in Lower 

 Burma amounted to between two and three lacs of rupees per annum. 



Thousands of small rubies with rounded surfaces, rudely fashioned, are set in a great 

 variety of articles belonging to the Burmese regalia. These were taken from the palace of 



