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Jade's Many Faces
Nov 1st, 2006 Look into the face of Jade and each view will present new vision. The official gemstone of BC, Jade is held in high regard throughout the world; both for its practical qualities as well as its mystical and spiritual essence. Beautiful shades of emerald green are the most recognized face of Jade, but this magnificent creation of nature also comes in hues of white, gray, yellow, orange and violet. Viewing the kaleidoscopic mountains of the Lillooet region, one’s imagination goes wild with thoughts of elusive lodes of this bewitching stone. The B.C. mountain ranges are encompassed by the Cordilleran Mountain Region which runs from the Yukon to Mexico. The creation of these ranges began millions of years ago with massive rock movements and collisions. These forces of nature, pressure and heat co-acted to create a hard nephrite jade belt, which runs through B.C., and includes rich deposits in the Lillooet area. Reputed to be stronger that steel, Jade has traditionally been used for weapons and tooling; ostensibly unbreakable in quality. More spiritually, Jade radiates a symbolic energy, and holds true value in its beauty and representation of health, happiness and good fortune. History reports the presence and use of Jade in the Lillooet area, dating back over 5,000 years. First utilized by the First Nations - then subsequently in the late 19th century by Chinese placer miners, who recognizing this valuable stone, are reported to have re-discovered and mined the precious Jade. Folklore tells tales of jade being sent back to the Orient, in large quantity and by ingenious means, including hidden in burial caskets destined for China. Local legend George Vanderwolf is reputedly the king of jade in the Lillooet region. Fifty years of experience as a hunting guide, logger, prospector and miner has given him vast opportunity to understand the regional geography and geology. By the mid 1950’s, already aware of large ‘green’ boulders in the Bridge & Fraser rivers, George and his father-in-law were naturally interested in the ‘outsider’ who came to town looking for information on ‘dense, greenish boulders’. Conversation continued and a gentlemen’s agreement was made. This stranger would purchase all the Jade that George and his father-in-law Mr. Osterlund could provide. With this renewed interest in Lillooet Jade, the ‘rush was on’. The rest as they say, is history. The passion and search for Jade continued through the 70’s, with prospectors both amateur and professional combing the rivers, valleys and hills for Jade; staking claims working tirelessly. Some with (acquired) great success, some content just to be part of the dream, surviving to tell their tales. BC Jade is internationally respected for its strength and exceptional mirror quality. For much of the past three decades, BC has produced approximately ¾ of the overall world output of Jade; thus gaining the reputation as the global capital for nephrite Jade. Stories of the Jade Rush abound, and locals take pride in the history and folklore of this magnificent stone. Visit Lillooet today, to see the marvelous Jade monuments at the Jade Park and along the Jade Trail. Touch and feel the magic and take home a piece of good luck.
Contact Information
Name:	Gold Country Communities Society
Address:	Box 933 Cache Creek, BC, CA V0K 1H0
Phone:	1-877-453-9467
Fax:	1-877-453-9467
Email:	info@exploregoldcountry.com

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