u/throw_rasjoei

I love jadeite jewelry, let's see everyone's collections.

Hello, my friend is currently living in the Northern Myanmar where jade stones are dug and distributed. I am currently in the UK completing my degree, I am helping him expand his business internationally as his English isn't very good while splitting the profits equally. We guarantee these to be Grade A untreated jadeite dug from Myanmar. Each of these bangles are $307 (₤250). We also accept custom orders, can help choose the stone, and make bracelets, necklaces and other jade accessories. When we get an order, we will choose a stone, cut it, get it certified and send it to you and we will keep you updated through the whole process. Please help us start and expand our business as we believe many sellers here are selling overpriced jade products. We will be happy to answer any questions that you have.

I am helping the expansion of a direct-source Burmese jadeite operation, and I am looking for strategic advice on how to best position our inventory. My friend lives in Kachin, Myanmar (Burma), where he acquires raw boulders directly from the source before any washing, chiseling, or processing occurs. We are not utilizing any middlemen, we operate as 50/50 partners, with him handling the domestic logistics and cutting, and me establishing the foreign client base. We already have a proven pipeline supplying buyers in Singapore and Vietnam.

We only deal in untreated, natural Type A jadeite. I am currently weighing 3 options for our business:

1. Selling raw slabs directly to local jewelers and lapidaries here in the West, allowing them to carve and set the pieces for their own clients.
2. Offering a service to high-end collectors. I present the mapped slabs (showing exactly where a bangle or ring will be cut), the client selects their piece of the stone, and my partner cuts and finishes it specifically for them before import.

Which route should we choose? Do Western buyers appreciate the raw-to-polished journey, or is it better to act purely as a supplier to established jewelers?

I also have questions about pricing and authenticity.

1. What are the primary red flags in pricing that make you assume a piece is either fake or a scam? How do you prefer pricing transparency to be handled by a direct-source dealer?
2. Should we provide a localized 1-year authenticity guarantee, or is it mandatory to have every piece certified by recognized labs (such as NGTC in China, Nanyang, or European equivalents) before it ever reaches the buyer?

Thank you so much!
Liam