Canadian Rockhound: Spectacular Jade Discovery in British Columbia

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Spectacular Jade Discovery in British Columbia

Jade West Group Press Release, 26 August 2001
Vancouver, British Columbia

Kirk Makepeace, President of the Jade West Group, today announced the discovery of what may well be the most valuable green nephrite jade boulder in history. Atop Polar Mountain near the Yukon border, Makepeace said, "The gem quality and size of this 18-ton POLAR JADE boulder make it unique."

The new Polar Jade mine is already famous among jade carvers and collectors as the sole source of the brightest, greenest, and hardest nephrite ever found. It is in fact the only nephrite recognized by its own brand name. Polar Jade is about to become even better known.

Polar Pride Jade Boulder
Polar Pride, a gigantic jade boulder weighing approximately 10 tons discovered atop Polar Mountain near the Yukon border.

Makepeace says that in 25 years of jade mining in Canada, he has never encountered anything close to the quality of this jade. He feels this discovery is his greatest jade find. Mine manager Tony Ritter unearthed this massive piece of jade during regular mine production in mid-July. "This has set a new benchmark for quality of jade at our mine", Ritter says. "We had already found a number of smaller pieces of this gem-grade jade, but couldn't believe our eyes when we cut into this massive boulder to expose its quality." Ritter adds, "I never expect to see another piece like this."

Famed gemologist and author, Fred Ward, states, "This new discovery should make 'Polar' a household word. Never have I seen a green nephrite boulder of this size, quality, and value. Over thousands of years China certainly extracted some huge boulders of various colors. Russia has huge nephrite boulders too. And some immense boulders have been unearthed in B.C. But none of these were gem quality. This incredible 18-ton discovery (now cut into two pieces) is remarkable because it has both size and quality."

The gigantic jade boulder (one piece app. 10 tons and the other app. 8 tons), has already been named POLAR PRIDE. The two pieces will go on display in Vancouver in late September. With no comparison boulders, it is difficult to value this spectacular piece. Jade West will conduct an auction for this and many of the smaller pieces in mid-October. "I anticipate a bid in excess of US$1,000,000 for the 10-ton piece," says Makepeace. With Polar Jade of this quality Makepeace expects interest from museums, corporations, and collectors in addition to the traditional jewelery manufacturers and carvers.

The Polar Jade mine is located 50kms east of Dease Lake, British Columbia in some of the most rugged and spectacular country in the province. At this latitude, coupled with a 2000 metre altitude, the mining season at Polar Jade is restricted to a 2-to-3 month summer 'weather window.'

Nephrite Jade is British Columbia's provincial stone.

For further information, please contact:

The Jade West Group
Vancouver, British Columbia
CANADA
Tel: 604-538-4525
Fax: 604 538 5490
E-mail: info@jademine.com

The Jades
By Dean Field
Nephrite Jade, The Stone of Heaven
By Marilyn Fraser
The Jade Mines of B.C.
By Marilyn Fraser
Botryoidal Jade: Rarest of the Rare Jades
By Duke McIsaac
Canadian Carvers of Nephrite Jade
By Marilyn Fraser

Reprint instructions:

Permission is given to freely reprint this article from the Canadian Rockhound for non-commercial and educational purposes, provided Jade West Group is acknowledged. In addition, please acknowledge the Canadian Rockhound magazine and provide the website URL address of the Canadian Rockhound. The article may not be edited or rewritten to change its meaning or substance without Jade West Group's permission. To contact Jade West Group, please use the e-mail address provided.