Most of the precious jade in ancient China came from the two provinces of Sinkiang and Yunan, and was mainly excavated from jade mines in mountains or river beds.
在中國的古籍中，所記載玉的產地約有一百多處，但實際上能確定的是新疆和雲南兩省，又可分為岩產玉、山產玉、水產玉和沙產玉四種。岩玉產於地下的礫岩中，必須往地下挖個坑井，下到礦脈去採。