Jade Rush: Materiality, Mistrust, and the Livestreaming Jadeite Trade
Digital isation has changed the jadeite trade between Myanmar and China. Valu ing of the rare mineral however still relies on personal judgment, Sh aohua Xiang shows.
“The value of jadeite can’t be easily standardised. Prices are not fixed or objective. Because the s tones are difficult to measure precisely, people rely on their senses , especially sight and touch, and shared trading practices to decide what they are worth. My study helps explain why trust, expertise and mediation remain important even in this highly digitalised trade.
Livestreaming
“My research is motivated b y an interest in how digital technologies intersect with long-standin g trading practices. Over several years I conducted long-term qualita tive fieldwork, in which I explored how traders, livestreamers and pl atforms evaluate, present and assess jadeite in both physical markets and online livestreaming environments.
“I demonstrate that l ivestreaming has not replaced traditional trading practices or market s, but has adapted and extended them into a digital environment in wh ich personal mediation remains essential. While new technologies make trading more accessible, uncertainty and trust remain central. In th is sense, digital platforms change how jadeite is traded, but not the basic challenges involved in valuing it.”
More information o n the thesis
DESCRIPTION: Digitalisation has changed the jadeite trade betw een Myanmar and China. Valuing of the rare mineral however still reli es on personal judgment, Shaohua Xiang shows. “The value o f jadeite can’t be easily standardised. Prices are not fixed or obj ective. Because the stones are difficult to measure precisely, people rely on their senses, especially sight and touch, and shared trading practices to decide what they are worth. My study helps explain why trust, expertise and mediation remain important even in this highly d igitalised trade. Livestreaming “My research is mo tivated by an interest in how digital technologies intersect with lon g-standing trading practices. Over several years I conducted long-ter m qualitative fieldwork, in which I explored how traders, livestreame rs and platforms evaluate, present and assess jadeite in both physica l markets and online livestreaming environments. “I demonstrate tha t livestreaming has not replaced traditional trading practices or mar kets, but has adapted and extended them into a digital environment in which personal mediation remains essential. While new technologies m ake trading more accessible, uncertainty and trust remain central. In this sense, digital platforms change how jadeite is traded, but not the basic challenges involved in valuing it.” More information on t he thesis Jade Rush: Materiality, Mistrust, and the Livestrea ming Jadeite Trade END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR