gems, jade, ruby, sapphire, spinel, Burma, Myanmar

Xu Jiong’s Shi Dian Zaji [使滇雜記; Miscellaneous Notes on a Mission to Yunnan] is a short record compiled from observations made during his official journey to Yunnan in 1687–1688 during the early Qing dynasty. The single-juan work records places, routes, local customs, products, natural resources, and other matters encountered during the mission, providing a contemporary view of Yunnan and its connections with regions farther southwest. It is of particular interest to the history of gems because Yunnan, especially the routes through Tengyue toward Burma, subsequently became the principal Chinese gateway for Burmese jadeite and other precious materials. The work is therefore useful as an early Qing source for the geographical and commercial setting in which the Yunnan–Burma gem trade developed. Sun Licheng: Contains a brief comment on gems produced in Burma. Xu Jiong was sent by the Qing emperor to Yunnan in 1687–1688. The Shi Dian Zaji is a compilation of his travel notes.