Chinese interest returning to prestigious Myanmar Gem Emporium

The 54th Myanmar Gems Emporium kicks off in Nay Pyi Taw on August 2, 2017 offering over 6,000 lots of jade and over 300 lots of gems using a sealed bid auction system. [Photo: China Plus/Tu Yun]

Nearly 5,000 traders from Myanmar and abroad have registered as qualified bidders, 40 percent more than last year. Five Chinese merchants are checking out a rough jade stone lot. [Photo: China Plus/Tu Yun]

A group of merchants examining a rough jade stone lot with a reserve price of 12 million euros, or 14 million USD, the highest at this year's Myanmar Gems Emporium. [Photo: China Plus/Tu Yun]

A group of Myanmar merchants viewing a jade lot. [Photo: China Plus/Tu Yun]

A merchant examining a rough ruby stone. [Photo: China Plus/Tu Yun]

A merchant taking pictures of a ruby stone at the Gems Emporium. [Photo: China Plus/Tu Yun]

A ruby stone under being checked over. [Photo: China Plus/Tu Yun]

A rough jade stone being examined. [Photo: China Plus/Tu Yun]

Amber lot for sale at the 54th Myanmar Gems Emporium [Photo: China Plus/Tu Yun]

Carved jade works of art display at the 54th Myanmar Gems Emporium [Photo: China Plus/Tu Yun]