Global Jade Fields
Jade — in the form of nephrite or jadeite — is found in a limited number of countries, each with distinct geological and cultural connections to the stone.
Here’s a breakdown of countries with known significant jade or jadeite deposits:
Nephrite Jade Deposits
(typically tougher, fibrous structure, predominantly green colour, however also white, blue, black or grey)
Country Location/Region Notes
Canada British Columbia (Cassiar, Dease Lake) World’s largest known source of high-quality nephrite (incl. Polar Jade)
China Xinjiang (Hetian/Hotan), Liaoning, Qinghai Source of "Hetian jade"; deeply tied to Chinese culture for 8000+ years
New Zealand South Island (West Coast, Southland) Known as pounamu or greenstone; sacred to Māori people.
Australia known fields of nephrite jade in Australia are in private ownership, in Tamworth NSW and Cowell SA. Australia is renown for quantities of high quality black jade.
Russia Siberia (Lake Baikal region) Large nephrite deposits including white jade, often exported to China
United States Wyoming, Alaska, California Small commercial-scale deposits
Kazakhstan Central and Eastern regions Less well-known but includes nephrite occurrences
Taiwan Eastern ranges Nephrite once heavily used in indigenous carvings and jewellery
Tajikistan Pamir Mountains Home to some of the ancient jade routes to China
Myanmar (limited nephrite alongside jadeite) Predominantly jadeite, but some nephrite found
Jadeite Deposits
(more rare, granular structure, stone often contains a mix of colors like imperial green, lavender, brown and orange)
Country Location/Region Notes
Myanmar (Burma), Kachin State World's primary and most valuable jadeite source
Guatemala Motagua Valley Ancient source for the Maya civilization; still mined today
Japan Itoigawa (Niigata Prefecture) source of prehistoric jadeite tools and beads (Jōmon period)
Russia Polar Urals (rare) Limited jadeite found; more known for nephrite
USA California (Feather River area) Small deposits of jadeite; not widely commercialized
Other Notable Mentions
Italy (Alps): Very minor historical jadeite presence used in ancient tools.
Mexico: Ancient Mesoamerican cultures used jadeite-like stones, but sources are debated.
Turkey, Afghanistan, and India: Some historical references, though true jade sources are unclear or minimal.
