Gemstone Occurrences of Nanyaseik Area, Phakant Township, Kachin State

The primary occurrences of gemstones in Nanyaseik area seem to be scarce, the secondary placer gem-bearing deposits are noteworthy. All gemstone occurrences from Nanyaseik area are mainly recovered from secondary deposits (gravels). Gemstones are found as detrital fragments in gem-bearing soil horizons known as byones. According to the drainage characteristics of this area and its environs gem-bearing alluvium had been probably descended from northwestern and western watersheds that created those secondary deposits, especially at the junctions of major streams and their tributaries where local people wash the byone and extract gems.