Jade Mining: The Next Gold Rush? Contest Winner

[@CorpseBride64]

I've been having a blast watching your videos! My son gifted me a piece of Nephrite Jade. My one and only piece, and I was so moved by his thoughtfulness.

[@PropZ_]

Honestly you are one of the coolest guys i know because i don't know too many people that can talk about rocks with this much passion

[@brandonbolin14]

Casper See also, Brian Bolin, Baker City Prospecting KZbin. GPS locations in the comments. Same voice..different guy. Weird.

[@martinchow1381]

I'm Cantonese (a person relating to or from canton, China) and jade is something that has historically been used by the imperial families of China. It represents longevity and well being. There's a belief that if you wear a jade bangle it will protect you from injury. For instance, there are always stories of older grandmas and aunts who have fallen down, but because they were wearing the jade bangle instead of their bones breaking, the bangle itself will break instead. This stems back to myths and legends around the mineral that have just been past for generations. As these stories spread and the growth of income to middle class people in China now most people want to afford pieces of it. There's also a lot more uses than just jewelry though. High courts and temples use larger chunks of jade to carve stories into them and is almost like a new kind of medium that can be used for art much like sculpting is in the west. That's just the beginning of jade as well, there's a lot more info into the history and uses of jade, as well as the different kinds of grade, but I'm sure other people can explain it much better than myself.

[@USMiner]

Thanks for the comment and insight.

[@andybroberg4767]

i was aware of the 2nd half, but not the first anecdotal piece. thank you for the information, i love to learn something i na comment section, its rare.

[@Global_Info]

I live in Hong Kong and have very good quality Nephrite from Pakistan. There is no third party and we directly obtain the stones from monuntains. If you know somebody are interested we offer very very competetive price.

[@jadehunter7617]

Martin Chow I changed my name to Jade because of its meaning as you said I also had a piece of jade made into a ring, I like to think it protects me just as a bangle would. I also believe that God & his Angels protect me. I have heard that jadeite is more valuable than jade is that true, do u know?

[@troytodd4077]

Martin Chow xfinity

[@Patriot-rising]

I brought a bunch back from Alaska. I spend 8 months in Alaska every year and just happened upon a rather large deposit of jade. When I was in the service I purchased a ring purchased in Asia for next to nothing. I also purchased a loose cab. Now apparently the 2 are considered top . I also saw white, black and other colors. In Asia right now the top stones being collected are actually Tanzanite and jade not quite as much.

[@thepearlatelier4256]

Thank you for posting this and for creating more awareness of jade. Jade has always been loved by the Chinese but the modern generation shun it because they think its "old fashioned", however, lately auction houses have sold jade from Imperial China for astronomical sums of money. That is one of the reasons why i posted a video on my modern jade cut pieces and how to wear them in fashion. I really hope more and more people will come to know not only of its aesthetic beauty but its really good for the health, it calms you down and it protects you from bad luck or deflects bad "chi".

[@imari2305]

I named my son after this beautiful stone and have always wanted to buy him a piece but alas can't afford it. Also I always thought Jade was a one source gemstone and after stumbling across your video I'm so glad to know it's found here in the United States. I'm subscribing to your channel. Thank you for your knowledge and sharing with us.

[@nocapbussin]

...You named your son a girls name?

[@drew7280]

This is the first 'giveaway' on youtube, that I actually believe they gave someone something. Great job.

[@balazsotvos2530]

In fact, jade comes from a large variety of colors, yellow, brown, black, green and white. The pure withe when carved and engraved is just looks like 'milk-glass'. In fact this is called imperial jade, and much more expensive. If you can carve and sculpture them, it can worth a fortune. Green is also relatively easy to recognize, but I would not throw away if I would find a high quality yellow one. Translucency more important than color, as far as I know.

[@jessicaabanathie5532]

Thank you for that. Teach me more

[@SamanthaKMidnightslip]

That flashlight trick is so cool. Gorgeous colors

[@davyca91801]

I am a jade collector too. Some corrections, the two pieces jade in the video, 7:30, its from Russia. Siberian jade. 11:18, from the knocking sound, I can tell its aventurine. There are hundreds of jade-looking stone, not all of them are consider valuable.

[@sunkissedroyalty2756]

hey, as an expert would you say its safe to use jade yoni eggs

[@raulisinambella]

do you know anything about chicken blood red jade? I have that kind of jade pendant in donut shaped. the diameter is 5.6cm and 7mm thickness. I'm going to sell it but I don't know how much it's worth money.. I'm trying to see any info of it's price but I dint find anything..

[@jadekayak01]

Yukon Zhang if you are a jade collector you are wrong on both of your corrections. The "siberian" jade is not and the rock you called aventurine is actually crysophase-very similar to some aventurine but the rind is textbook crysophase(probably from australia)

[@libra6824]

I collect jade for many years.. aventurine are man made means they are dyed.. not real jade.. Jadeite is my favorite then nephrite .. yes Imperial is the most expensive one some are over 100 thousands or more for a certain small piece.

[@jadekayak01]

@Trumpenstein then you should know one of them is crysophase

[@saratoga202]

Excellent video My wife and I are planning a trip out to Wyoming soon (our honeymoon 42 years in the waiting !!) Cant wait to go rock hounding and gem mining

[@twitchster77]

Yeah I found a nice chunk of jade once as a kid that I've always been proud to own...but it's only because I was out with one of my grandpa's friends who knew how to recognize it. I'd of walked right by it and haven't never of guessed without him. He was cool and polished a smart portion of the rock for me too...so you could see how dark and beautiful the jade was under the dark, ugly crust that just made it look like a typical rock.

[@kevinhay7421]

Thanks for sharing! My son began jade hunting a few years ago and he has accumulated quite a pile already! Our new lights are on the way along with some diamond saw blades, so this will be fun! The area here on Vancouver Island is loaded with jade, gold and other minerals! The gold content around us here is extraordinary, and our atomically separated mineral products are so popular due to the energetic value in these high levels of platinum group elements that are available in our vicinity. I didn't realize that there is a huge amount of jade here too!

[@Ballacha]

people in southern China have been doing this for a long time. they call it 赌石 which means "stone gambling". basically people buy rocks containing jade from miners for a negotiated price. the buyer has to determine from the exterior appearance whether a rock is worth buying/paying a high premium for. it's a gamble because you don't know how much jade it contains on the inside. you can lose everything or get filthy rich in a week down there.

[@jessicaabanathie5532]

Can you tell me any more ... Please I soak it up. Any references to where I can learn about the subject as it is in nature

[@OberstMoep]

Nice explanation. Thanks for this little adventure to the Jade World :-) Many dear greetings from Germany.

[@TheRolemodel1337]

this is the first video of you i've watched and im already convinced :) you got a new sub

[@wangruochuan]

Im a chinese so jade for us is more of a spiritual stone. old fulks say that jade can balance your chi and a jade nurtures you (I dont understand). We chinese also worship good jade and you know we have been using jade stuff through history. emperors love them. Jade is also one of our Taoism symbol. It belongs to the element of earth (among 5 - gold(metal), wood, water, fire and earth). When people have Yin and Yang problem, they are often seeking for a jade pendant or accessories to balance their body (yes we a freakishly superstitious about it.) There is also a saying, make jade out of dirt (or earth). good jade is very rare. they either come from western china or outside of china. bigger chunks of raw are just super rare. You know, we want to have jade of everything especially tea cups and pots. This is also why we have a branch of tea cup and pot making technique that makes them as clear and glassy as possible cuz we them to look like jade but made of clay. As you know from your friend, we chinese would die for good quality jade. Its a significant stuff in our culture.

[@santallum]

Having watched this, I have just decided to keep the green nephrite rock I picked up in a charity shop for £1 sterling .. The quality is way better than anything in this video .. I was not aware that most jade was of such inferior quality

[@outdoorloser4340]

You inspired me to go Jade hunting myself, thank you sir 🍻

[@bobonit8064]

Can you elaborate on how and where to sell your jade, and possibly where to get an honest evaluation. I would be interested in both the western marketplace and the Asian marketplace. Thanks

[@janketza0206]

How's the Jade hunting going in Sept. 2022? Am interested in an update on the quest for Jade.

[@chadpunte1731]

do you have a video on how I can tell if a rock is not just a rock? but worth picking up?

[@oddvoid]

Luck, education on minerals and inspecting every rock you walk over.

[@wangruochuan]

take a few year and majoring in geology. in the end, you would become an expert of rocks and know where to look for good stuff. also having a good debt that cant find a job from what you learn. -a poor geologist

[@carpocraftguitarscarpentry8469]

Thank you. One of my subscribers sent me a large piece of it to cut up and I wasn't sure what it was. It looks exactly like that. It polished decent but not to a full gloss, but I will still use it in jewelry because it's gorgeous

[@banditshideout]

Hello from Casper. Just ran across your videos about a week ago. Been enjoying the helpful info. Thank you

[@USMiner]

Cool thanks, always nice to see another Wyomingite here.

[@itchymadness3960]

Bandit my uncle found a 6 gram nugget at the intermittent springs near Afton in star valley. also there are some geodes and nice quartz vugs/clusters to find.

[@carolinekleo1]

I love your videos! Can you teach about how to identify the different host rocks for the minerals? Also can you teach the steps of how to identify the minerals? Pretty please? And most importantly can you teach how to expose the minerals that's covered in the host rocks/ how you started sanding them as a beginner? I have a lot of rocks with crystal exposed in small veins and such, but I'm not sure how to break the stone in order to make the most of the crystal.

[@USMiner]

Thanks, I could do a video on rock and mineral ID in the future if there isn't one on KZbin already. As far as prepping crystals goes, I'm probably not the best person to ask as I'm not entirely sure myself. I just keep them in the matrix as specimens, or maybe use some acid on some or cut off excess host rock with my diamond saw, but that's about as far as I go.

[@jessicaabanathie5532]

Pretty pretty please I too need someone to do that and we nominate you

[@staceywuyts8222]

Hello from mountain view.wy. thank you for the video. Have you heard if Idaho has jade?

[@magertime1]

It does I have a large chunk

[@ahmedamer2833]

@@magertime1 we can provide u such a large quantities that in high quality if you want

[@shockzz27]

Hi.. i went out metal detecting at the boulder bank today and came across a big green rock, my metal detector was set on disc.. it just screams loud bips everytime i swing it on that big green rock with streak of quartz in the middle.. im planning to crush it tomorrow, cant wait to see whats inside.

[@robs9499]

Really great video! Thank you for taking the time to post such an educational vid. Rob

[@USMiner]

Thanks, makes it all worth it when people find them useful!

[@smarsupial77]

We have a place here called Jade Cove where people go and dive for it. But its in a really rough spot and quite a haul up and down the cliff. I'll post if I go!

[@USMiner]

I may have a guess of the general area in which you refer? Botyroidal jade out of the ocean? Some of that stuff is awesome looking if that's where you are at.

[@smarsupial77]

I didn't mean to be so cryptic. Yes. Northern California. Down by big sur

[@paulgillis1945]

I learn how to carve stone by starting with soap stone, wonder how much more difficult jade would be.

[@MountainFisher]

Off the coast of California south of Monterrey there is a jade boulder about the size of a small house. It is about 40 feet underwater. I would guess it's still there and it is a lighter shade of jade, so it may be jadeite, but most of the jade is usually nephrite in CA. so I'm not sure. It has been since 1973 when we found it, or I should say had it pointed out to us. It's covered with growth except where it was chipped away by us and others.

[@Rockhounding-with-Bigfoot]

Where would be Jade in Colorado? Any ideas...

[@shawngreen1754]

Jade is by far my favorite mineral.

[@jadekayak01]

Shawn Green jade is not a mineral.it is a very loose name for a range of stones

[@spaid1988]

i got some in my yard but its not spotty looking its solid green could it be somthing else

[@babyrazor6887]

years ago I recall a scuba diver off the coast of Washington state or maybe it was Oregon finding a huge boulder of jade.

[@EightUp000]

And how would we go about selling a huge chunk if we found one.

[@cheshire_cat_311]

Is this Cody's Lab?

[@USMiner]

No, but I've invited him over to do some mining back when his channel was smaller but no response. We're not far from each other.

[@cheshire_cat_311]

Wow, didn't expect an answer. But yeah, Cody hooked me into mining (don't know why), your channel is sort of similar, so I just keep watching your videos non-stop.

[@EightUp000]

USMiner dude i would love to see you and cody do a thing. I just subbed and im already hooked

[@stoneman3079]

ConspiracyCake PC o

[@itchymadness3960]

there was a huge Boulder of nephrite probably several tons of gemstone along the feather river. it's no longer there tho. it was right along side the road, fell out of a road cut.

[@jessicaabanathie5532]

Really , by reading

[@brianrichards7006]

The jade bangle which sold at Sotheby's that you illustrated is of "imperial jade". It's extremely translucent, of a superb clear green and is without or almost without inclusions. This quality is extremely rare. I searched for a long time to finally purchase a 2 ct cabochon of imperial jade so that I could use it as a comparison stone. One can occasionally encounter this quality in pawn shops, or at estate sales, and it is worthwhile knowing exactly what constitutes imperial jade quality. Price wise, I think it is Chinese demand that sets the price of jade. The Burmese jade auctions are almost exclusively attended by Chinese dealers. Nice video. Thanks.

[@TIPPYtoeup]

Sir, I have a question regarding the White or Clear substance that is found on these mineral pieces. You eluded, to that being a possible tell tell sign as well. Also, the rust that can be found on some of these deposits. So my question is. Are those great signs to look for when hunting? I live in one of the northern PNW states. Probably wouldn’t be too hard to figure out if you wanted too. But I have recently came across an extremely strange rock grouping. That’s has So much of both of those two signs. But the white substance is extremely thick and apparent. One last thing. The way these rocks are sitting on top of each other is another mystery. They almost are stacked with groups of gaps in between them. There are times when you can shine a light and it go down/back quite a ways. It is just such a bezare grouping that I had to ask. Also after seeing those that will definitely be #1 location for me to visit when possible. Thank you for the great content. Hope you can help?

[@julmaj1479]

Nice one, I got a chunk of Chrome diopside that looks more vivid green than jade but is more worthless, although it has some cool small nuggets of chrome in it. Not sure if it is possible to find real nephrite from Finland.

[@USMiner]

Nice, diopside is good looking stuff. I only find very small bits in a gold pan, like the size of sand grains. A large gem quality piece may be worth something? I've found nephrite here in Wyoming in a few places that aren't known, it was not good quality though. But keep your eye out, many people don't recognize it, so you may find unknown deposits in metamorphic terrains.

[@julmaj1479]

Thanks for the headsup. I'll keep trying to find the diamond in a rough.

[@arthurholmes2210]

What do you think of Blue Jade ? I have what i was told was blue Jade.

[@thomas194907]

very interesting...i live in b.c. and from now on jade will be on my radar when i go out...i didn't enter 'cause i don't have enough knowledge about minerals and rocks, i guess it is something i should check out...may as well be aware of what is out there while looking for the yellow stuff !!! gotta find a sample somewhere to actually see and feel it

[@USMiner]

Some of the most amazing and impressive nephrites in the world come from BC...I wanted to put some in this vid but couldn't, google them though if you get a chance!

[@thomas194907]

i did do that, checked out many articles and pics, so interesting...i live about 100 miles from the large deposit close to vancouver and saw a vid about jade city on the cassiar highway

[@dennispetersen1162]

Take a look at the very large jade carving in the Vancouver, BC airport. It is very cool and sweet to look at!

[@coleenburris6816]

I never thought about jade. I learned a lot from this video. Is finding it along a river good?

[@Ballacha]

the top comment has explained it pretty well so i'm just gonna add something he missed. the primary reason why jade became royal favourites thought out Chinese history is that not only its translucent beauty is unique to precious metals like gold, it's also much easier to work with than gold. gold needs repeated refining after being mined and requires high temperature to melt and reshape. while jade can be used as it is fresh out of a quarry. all you need is a sculptor to carve it into a giant jade dragon statue or something and that's it. no complex refining or oxidation prevention steps needed.

[@Mauihau22]

Thank you for your thought making this video. I'm a jade carver in NZ and I dont think youre chrysopraise is crysopraise. It does look like jadeite. Too waxy and no red crust to be chrysopraise. I may well be wrong.I was shocked to see the price of Jadite as we just dont see it in New Zealand.I'd love to have a piece of Wyoming jade. Keen to do a swap :)

[@USMiner]

Sure I'd do a swap, I'd be interested to see some NZ jade. I'm guessing yours is all better than what I've found so far though. Right now my 16" saw isn't big enough to cut most of what I have, I have plans to build a 36" saw but it'll be a while probably. Email me at [e-mail] if you want, too hard to talk over youtube.

[@jilliebean613]

Hey just a small tip when filming at high wind you can wear a wire to limit wind sound. You can pick them up cheap on Amazon

[@opieforce]

Which part of Wyoming north south east or west I live in South East part of Wyoming. Really enjoyed your video would like to learn more I will definitely be checking out the rest of your videos.

[@crucifyrobinhood]

I'll be putting some unique jadeite and nephrite specimens on ebay soon. This is all beach cobble from N. California. (not from Big Sur or any other "known" deposit) Specimens range from a few carats to several pounds. Many pieces are naturally shaped, tumbled and polished cabochons of highly translucent apple green, Imperial green and creamy white "muttonfat".This is probably the rarest type of Jade in existence IMO and I will not be selling it by the pound, that's for sure. I personally think it's sacrilege to carve or cut these specimens but what the buyer does with them is their business.

[@Mekratrig]

Mr. USMiner, how is jade formed? Vulcanism?

[@RJDCR]

neat , find alot o Nephrite here in Sonoma county Ca.....sum neat stuff there , thanx 4 sharing yer finds

[@haynerbass]

I live in British Columbia and I'm sure I have just stepped over some jade. Do you have a video that teaches how to recognize jade? I'll be travelling around this province with a camper this summer. So some education would be appreciated. Thank you.

[@timstarns2431]

Hey, I just found this video and I have recently acquired some Wyoming Nephrite. I'm about to try some carving with water cooled diamond bits. I've looked at quite a few youtubes on carving and a couple people here in Montana and Wyoming do some carving, but not many. The avatar image are sapphires which I hope to combine with the Jade. Really enjoyed your video though. Thanks Tim

[@USMiner]

That would be cool, let me know how it goes. If it turns out well and you'd like to show it to people then I could put it in another video about jade when I do the next one. If not no biggie, I'd still be curious to see it though, never seen Wyoming jade carved.

[@timstarns2431]

Setting the sapphires directly into Jade may kill their refraction, but I'll try it anyway just to see. I'll let you know.

[@TheHandleOnYoutube]

I found some green gems. Lots of them. Some had porous areas. You think it is green glass? Can glass be found laying on top of the ground naturally? Or could it be Jade? :)

[@HeroiKomai]

Hi, I'm from Papua New Guinea, country just north of Australia. I have a huge rock with me, and it's a kind of glassy type that is transparent and it's green in color. I need further advice to confirm if it's Jade before I can proceed further to search for potential markets. I can provide photos awaiting your feedbacks.

[@TsetsiStoyanova]

you are sitting on a gold mine my friend...

[@foxlookalike3036]

well probably would be called a jade mine :P

[@wormbaby666]

Try looking into New Zealand nephrite jade (pounamu or greenstone)., commonly used for jewelry, here. You might be able to find out a bit more about types and value.

[@ravenwil]

Just got back From Alaska and brought a about 30 pounds of Jade from Jade mountain. Beautiful stones.

[@BoomLover1000]

Got pics? Selling any of it?

[@ravenwil]

Jim Kuhn nope. Going to polish it and make jewelry.

[@ravenwil]

not from this trip . sentimental value. Going back next year to get big boulders.

[@jadehunter7617]

Raven Williamson Next time u go, please take me. Lol

[@ravenwil]

would love to!! Expensive though!! going back next year and every year for 9 days for our tv show.

[@choochoochucky]

how does this compare to Australian chysoprase which can hold a even better green?

[@goognamgoognw6637]

How did you break your hand ? I guess playing with big rocks.

[@macgyver9111]

I'm close to a jade deposit near a place called the Palisades. Near Quincy, Wa. Let's go find it!

[@geofflotton5292]

There's a "vein" that runs from NZ, across the trench to about Newcastle.

[@EnchantedSmellyWolf]

Geoff Lotton Do I hear a smooth Jade temple being developed? Oh the wonders and fantasies.

[@sherrys.2259]

It's cool that you share your trade!

[@user-wc2yn6wm7u]

I would love to work a piece of that stone. We have a mineral known as Mariposite up near Yosemite. I will try an obtain some to show.

[@USMiner]

Do you have some examples of your carving?

[@adventureswithchristian6967]

Alls I can say is wow! I do a lot of work at the gold mines in central Nevada, and have to mining claims. My claims were dug in the late 1800's, and there hard rock mines. Great video I subbed thank you.

[@jessicaabanathie5532]

Where are your mines may I ask

[@real_wakawaka]

the more translucent the more expensive. Also the light green mixed with dark is good. Finding that type is rare, more so than you would think as the conditions need to be perfect

[@jessicaabanathie5532]

My goodness I need more info on this please I thing I live on a ton of it if u tell me an e mail address I can send photos

[@ChristineNossoughi-fm5lu]

What part of Wyoming can Jade be found

[@nicevideomancanada]

Thanks for the information. I"m a Hobby Prospector in Western Canada. Subscribed.

[@nephritehunter8138]

Hi brother can you tell me how jadeite are found in the earth. Dose it have the same mining procedure like Nephrite in our area Nephrite are too much i also self mining if both serpentine and Nephrite but i never see the mines of jadeite. Here are alot of different stones which looks like jadeite but experts always says no that's not. Plz give some idea 💡.

[@len2842]

What lumens are right for peering into jade with'

[@has2bethecar1]

I went to Indonesia and purchased some minerals from locals and received some as gifts I want to display them but how would I find out what they are the area was Sumatra in siborongborong trying to get pointed in the right direction

[@USMiner]

I would try posting to a rockhounding or geology forum. If you use Reddit, you can try posting here: www.reddit.com/r/whatsthisrock/

[@martysmith3793]

Being from California , one of the gem shows they were finding it off the coast , my Dad & uncles &I found some ok stuff in Hollister , .now being s old man LOL I've found jade from Alaska , Wyoming & parts of Arizona

[@Shredesis]

Do these $10/lb and $200/lb jade have the same chemical formula? If they do and the same crystal structure, then probably just down to the purity of the mineral.

[@USMiner]

I think the crystal structure varies with the degree of metamorphism and. Not sure about the chemical formula, but it may alter depending on the protolith from which each piece derived. Do you still have access to a spectrometer? Would be interesting to see an elemental breakdown.

[@Shredesis]

I have several at my work, but I would never be able to use them for something like this. You can probably find a lab that will do an elemental analysis for around $100 - $200. AA, ICP-OES, ICPMS. If you can acquire a reasonable good microscope and are able to cut thin enough slices, it might be interesting to look at them through that.

[@USMiner]

I'm broke as hell, you see where I live man haha. The college geology dept might be get a thin slice machine, one of the teachers wanted me to enroll up there, but with my 0.75 GPA it ain't happening.

[@theblackchicken2011]

I just came across your videos today, I like all of the information here, also I would love to play guess a rock win a rock if you do anymore of those in the future.

[@USMiner]

Thanks, and I may try to do the contest again in the future now that my subscriber base is growing and there are more people to play. It's one of my favorite parts of geology forums, trying to solve unknown rocks and all the stuff you learn along the way trying to figure it out, I'd like to keep doing it here.

[@Surrender17]

USMiner I would guess if you did it again. I just subscribed. Even if we can't guess correctly, it's fun to see if we can. On the topic of jade, I don't think we have any in Indiana. I believe all I'm finding is dark green jasper.

[@jefffreyjefferson9455]

I thought you were in Nevada. I know where there is a big outcropping of this in the mountains just outside of Las Vegas. If your ever in the area I will show you..

[@USMiner]

I'm all over, including Nevada. If its nephrite and not serpentine then I'd definitely be interested. I would guess being that close to Vegas and being undiscovered that it's probably serpentine though. Maybe antigorite, which is found in Southern Nevada occasionally. Do you have any photos of samples?

[@jefffreyjefferson9455]

@@USMiner no photos. I used to quad all over the mountains and came upon it exposed. Its been a number of years. I wonder if its still there. Near a place called Angel Peak

[@libraryfiles4470]

How about videos on recognizing rocks, minerals and crystals, in their natural state, that are of value?

[@BrothaJeff]

I live in British Columbia. Where would be a good area to mine for Jade?

[@reubenhayward6974]

you really looking for this info in the youtube comments

[@SamSeth]

Very interesting and educational video. I know a source of jadeite material, and have a small collection now from three years of looking. I've cut the end off quite a few of the pieces to determine the quality, but I've been leaving them mostly intact until I decide what to do with them. I'm not sure if selling the rough pieces for carving, or slabbing and selling as lapidary material would be better. The area I found this jadeite in is also rich in chromite. I've found a few pieces of very nice quality green jadeite thanks to the associated chromite deposits. Some are very translucent, and some are completely opaque. There is one very high quality solid piece about 10lbs that is carnelian color (not sure it's actually jadeite, but it feels and looks right). I'm going to make a video about these rocks soon. Collecting secondary materials can make gold prospecting much more worthwhile in areas where they occur together in placers. And it's so easy to just throw jadeite away if you haven't seen it before and don't know what to look for. I'm sure I overlooked some before I realized what I had. I'm glad to see other people paying attention to jadeite in the U.S. It's interesting to me that there is jade material in the Rockies. I haven't really read about the geology of the Rockies before, but now I kind of want to. The jadeite I'm finding is associated with numerous serpentine intrusions in the area, which is the product of olivine rich rocks being hydrated and drawn down in to the crust. That's why jadeite is so common all around the Pacific ring from southern Asia to the entire west coast of the U.S. and Canada. Is there serpentine in the area you're finding your jade? I know jadeite and nephrite are different chemically, but are they both found with serpentine? Seeing as nephrite is related to asbestos I would think so. Thanks for the video. I think it's a good idea to raise awareness of the fact that there is good quality jade in western North America considering the market prices right now.

[@USMiner]

I've found a few seams of serpentinite nearby but not associated with the jade as it is out west. Olivine is not uncommon too. Some (what I think is) peridotite. Sometimes there is a basalt dike which has in places metamorphosed into hornblend. There really isn't any study or theory on how the jade out here formed, in fact only a few minor sources in situ were ever discovered. I believe there were a few different eras of faulting and subsequent intrusives filling the faults and that provided the heat for localized contact metamorphism to alter the actinolite/tremolite into nephrite at a time when the mountains had either sunk or had not yet been thrust up to the surface, so pre-laramide orogeny and this jade is very old. But I am not a geologist, never taken a class, and I've only prospected for jade 1 year so far, so my theory is apt to change as new evidence presents itself.

[@SamSeth]

USMiner Sounds like a fun area to prospect. Complex geology to say the least. Thanks for sharing the information, it's very interesting. I look forward to more videos. Your gold videos are great by the way. I've been watching those for a while.

[@hungdo927]

Where you are Sam? I am in Las Vegas

[@raccoonresidence9086]

Very informative. Thank you n keep your eyes to the structure.

[@senpaisanchoyt5225]

So I have a rock like the reddish one that has similar properties. How much would it fetch me?

[@USMiner]

There are rocks that are red and similar which are not jade. You need to determine what you have first.

[@senpaisanchoyt5225]

USMiner Yeah I later tried taking an edge of and it was instead just a simple rock :(. Cool video btw u got my sub

[@임남석-c1b]

How exactly can you be sure it jade and where can you find it?

[@captainTubes]

Lim Nam Seok look in rocky rivers, it is 6 mohs hardness usually softer than quartz (7.5) always harder than marble (4.5). Also Jade is heavy 3.6 specific gravity it feels more heavy than quartz the same size. Good luck finding it :)

[@jadekayak01]

림남석 you become knowledgeable and experienced. Try carving or cutting some-cabachons are a great way to start and easy to set up for. Roger Keverne book JADE is a very good start point IF you can find a copy for sale

[@jessicaabanathie5532]

@@jadekayak01 ty I'm going to read it

[@hungdo927]

Did you has a shop?

[@chrismccabe8717]

really enjoyed the commentary, an education for me.

[@hardrockuniversity7283]

Thank you very much for the info. Just found your channel this morning before work. Nicely done. Keith

[@USMiner]

Cool, thanks for stopping by.

[@hardrockuniversity7283]

I'll be checking out more of your stuff as I have time. Busy boy here. Keith

[@USMiner]

Good luck, hope you make some good finds out there, hard rockin's hard work!

[@srinadian]

Hey man, I found some nice little.cobbles in new zealand and just came back from a very amauturish Jade hounding in liloeet Canada...it's about five hrs from where I am...I'm good at picking up Jade cobbles but still have hard time finding boulders or larger pieces in rivers...it's funny tho I can spot a small cobble even in the driest co diton but never anything bigger than my palm...any tips? (Yes, I carry water and a small hammer to test for colour and sound)

[@monkayjim999]

Isn't that tremolite (asbestos) in those rocks pretty dangerous to your health/lungs? I heard the fibers can break off and if they get into your lungs your body cant get rid of them?

[@USMiner]

It's not tremolite anymore, it's been metamorphosed into nephrite which is different both physically and chemically.

[@monkayjim999]

USMiner ah OK that's alright then ;)

[@USMiner]

Actually I need to correct my statement after doing more research. Nephrite is a non-asbestiform substance but does contain micro tremolite. There are various studies on this related to carving in China, none seem to have a definite conclusion though. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27302977. Cutting in oil or water should contain the dust, carvers use grinding with no fluids generally, so it throws a lot of dust into the air. On the same subject, carving or cutting plain old quartz without a fluid is almost as dangerous or maybe more dangerous since it causes silicosis, which is definitely a proven disease with a lot of studies out there with definite conclusions. So, like anything, take precautions and be safe.

[@benjohnson423]

If you can see the fibers mate your holding an asbestos rock, your rock at 2:32 seal that rock up. I am an asbestos survey from the UK. Tremolite is an asbestos mineral. You can inhale millions on microscopic fibers that are immune to your body's natural enzymes that break up dust/hair etc and dispel it from your body. You can contract asbestosis and mesothelioma, cancers of the lung. Be safe seal it never open it. Better... Dispose of it responsibly.

[@oldmanspooky6641]

Beautiful

[@allisoncolby7851]

Wow, your channel.is great! So was this video! It was very interesting to me, as I'd become somewhat of a rock-hound and collector over the last 10 years or so, and now trying to take it to the next level in expanding my collection, by learning more; about recognizing types of rock or stone, and how or where to obtain specimens, as well as any types specifically, that may have a potential market value, which would of course, would be good to know. I love the natural world. I grew up in the southern part of the San Fran./San Jose bay area of Northern Calif. In whats often referred to as the Santa Cruz/Skyline/Big Basin mountain range at about 2200ft elev. Over the years, I've found and still have, many varieties and in multiple shades, of green to blue rocks, that i think are quite beautiful, and in fact, kind of what inspired my taking collecting as a hobby. Only now, its one I prefer to take outside Calif..Its over-crowded, over-charged, overly governed and regulated way of life holds no further interest to me.. But living in the natural setting of any mountains does seem to resonate with me, far better and more, than a city life; with its over-crowding, traffic, smog and artificial everything. Im really looking forward to seeing more of your videos, if they are anything like this one, which was super interesting, and informative, and given by someone clearly very knowledgeable. Also, I liked the idea of your having a drawing with a sample for a prize. Its fun, and I think pretty generous and seldom done by anyone. Anyway, thanks so much for your effort and sharing. I have a feeling this will be a subscription i definitely wont lose interest in! Thank you~

[@USMiner]

That's great to hear and I hope you are able to find success rockhounding outside of California. There is a lot out there, Nevada for instance is so large and empty that I can't help but feel there is a lot left undiscovered there. The sense of freedom with no one else around is worth the loneliness most of the time for me. It's a shame because there are some really beautiful parts of California, but I would have trouble living there where everything I love doing seems heavily regulated, so I can understand the feeling.

[@Trypolize]

ok my heart started pounding when you said the word asbestos

[@jesus_god_christ450]

Why

[@gmcd6585]

I’d have guessed that easy! Always on the search for jade in Alberta . Thanks for the tips!

[@angelahighwolf]

The creamy translucent clouds make jade worth more. I'm in Alaska...I know Jade! The white and green must blend seamlessly...like watercolor

[@matv176]

That was a fascinating vid mate. Thanks for sharing this.

[@dellxps888]

Nice collection u have there and thanks for sharing.

[@Fred.B]

Good Video! Continue Doing the Nice Work!

[@jprest13]

that was difficult. i thought you were showing the inside of the stone was that gray color.

[@motouechi]

I have been living in China for about 5 years as an English teacher, and have since fallen in love with stone carving, especially jade carving. I have a couple of friends that are professional carvers/jade sellers. They told me that the price of jade is usually liked to consistency and vibrancy of color, translucency, and "purity" such as lack of other mineral elements. Other factors, such as how interesting the patterns of color, or the presence of many different and distinct colors, and regional preferences. Jadeite is generally more valuable, especially from Myanmar, when I check Taobao (Chinese ebay) you can buy 10kg of nephrite pieces wholesale for about $100, while you could only get maybe 1kg of carving leftover jadeite. However, there is a rivalry between carvers, my nephrite friends think jadeite is crap, and vice-versa.

[@jadekayak01]

motouechi I think you will find the biggest influence on prices is WHO carved the stone. HK has some of the best Chinese stuff around but some very good mainland carvers are prominent. Find a small town unknown carvers for a good bargin

[@limamollier3644]

I've Burmese jadiete 134 grams how much it will cost?

[@hungdo927]

I need 1 or 2 pieces,each one about 2-3 bl,I want to see inside and out side skin of the rock, how it look like

[@USMiner]

Email me [e-mail] and we can talk.

[@jessicaabanathie5532]

Ditto

[@simonscowen1]

i don't know but is the value clarity thus how light refracts + concentration of the key minerals... shoot me down but is more a question.. i see the US rock has much more micro-fractures - or the way the crystals has set.. i have some jad sculptures that were gifted to me by Chinese associates and their clarity is almost like deep green glass and the cheaper is milky... i dunno

[@USMiner]

Yes those all sound like reasonable guesses, thanks for the observations. I'm still learning here when it comes to the values others place on stones and what exactly they are looking for - I'm mainly only good at digging in the dirt :p

[@badsantaclaus4522]

Dang I just knew I won lol Never would have guess that finding jade in America, Do you know if you can find jade in southeast?. Thanks for the information

[@USMiner]

You were on the right track with eclogite, it was a good guess. Hmm I haven't come across any occurences in the SE from my readings yet. But jade was only really "discovered" in North America in the 1930's, and most economic deposits weren't discovered until the 1960's. So since it's kinda hidden behind weathering rinds, I think there is a lot out there undiscovered. This vid covered the basics of the metamorphic terrains where one might find it in undiscovered places so geologic maps may be treasure maps. My prospecting method is crude - I bash the corner off any suspucious looking rock and then see whats inside, water helps, diamond wheels on angle grinders are even better. I can tell that's what the guys in the 30's-60's did here too with rock hammers.

[@badsantaclaus4522]

Thanks for quick come back We love collecting and cutting to see what's inside just starting to learn Funny I bash every thing screw up some good gemstones Learning from your videos so keep up the great job. Thanks again