Manawmaya is a family-owned and operated company whose early roots begin in the mining town of Mogok, Myanmar (Burma), famed for its rare pigeon blood rubies and royal blue sapphires.
Mogok is a renowned place-once traversed by collectors, traders and adventurers from around the world seeking its treasured gems. To this day, Mogok is considered the source of the Burmese colored stones trade, where all the great gems are discovered.
The gem legacy of the Manawmaya family was begun by U Hmat (1841-1916), the chief ruby miner to the last king of Burma, Thibaw and the patriarch of a long line of gem miners and traders. U Hmat and his family operated in Mogok during the golden age of the gem trade in Burma, from the late 1870s to the 1960s. Until the mines at Mogok were nationalized in 1967, U Hmat’s daughters, Daw Khin and Daw Than operated the premier Loke-Khet mine, well known for producing high quality, historically significant gems.
In the half-century since the Mogok gem industry was transformed, our family has focused on gem trading. In 1995, Manawmaya House of Jewels was established to diversify the business into retailing fine jewellery. Today, Manawmaya is run by U Hmat’s great great granddaughters, continuing the tradition of serving quality gems and jewellery with knowledge, integrity and expertise passed on for five generations.