Issue link: http://resourceworld.uberflip.com/i/612354
50 www.resourceworld.com d e c e m b e r / j a n u a r y 2 0 1 6 New Sun Jade producing British Columbia jade "bullion" by Ellsworth Dickson J ade is a generic, commercial term for two different gemstones – nephrite and jadeite. The term encompasses green, white, black or yellow-brown jadeite and nephrite. This gem has been known for over 7,000 years and has been used for jewelry, tools and weapons; however, its main use today is for jewelry and artwork, particularly in China. As early as 3000 BC in China, jade has had an important sig- nificance, up there with gold and diamonds as in the West. The ancient Mayas, Aztecs and Olmecs of Central America also esteemed jade more highly than gold. The world jade market is estimated at 300 tonnes per year, with three quarters of this origi- nating in British Columbia, which is 100% nephrite jade. Most nephrite deposits occur along or near the contacts between ultra- mafic and metasedimentary rocks. Gem-quality jade is valued at $200-1,000/kg for A Grade and ornamental B grade jade sells for $10-200/kg. In an interview, Sam Dilts, owner of New Sun Jade Inc., explains his business strategy behind his company's production of jade blocks, or bricks. "Our strategy is to design and manufac- ture jade products using British Columbia jade for export to the Asian market. We have been producing jade bricks for about a year and a half now," explained Dilts. New Sun Jade uses Grade B+ and higher which is specifically for the jewelry market. "We have a few different sources of jade that come from the Cassiar Mountain Range about two hours east of Dease Lake in northern BC," said Dilts. "We have royalty agree- ments with the miners who receive a payment after we sell the completed jade products." At the time of writing the New Sun Jade facility is on Galiano Island but will soon move to the Lower Mainland near Vancouver. Dilts said that his jade products have been well received in China after launching his 10-kilo jade "bullion" bricks in November 2014. "Everything was sold and we have now devel- oped a sales network in China," he added. The company also makes other jade products including bathroom sinks and tiles. Last Year, New Sun Jade set up an import company in Hong Kong, a free trade zone, to streamline trade in Asia. "We are excited to develop our distribution from there." n Sam Dilts with an approximate 10-kilo brick of northern British Columbia jade (nephrite) produced by New Sun Jade for the Asian export market. Photo courtesy New Sun Jade Inc. lucara gigantic diamond Lucara Diamond Corp. has recovered the second largest diamond in history at its Karowe Mine in Botswana. The white, Type IIa, the purest form of diamond, weighed in a 1,111 carats and measures 65 mm by 56 mm by 40 mm, a little smaller than a tennis ball. The company recently turned down an offer of $40 million. The bigger diamond is the 3,106-75-carat Cullinan diamond from South Africa, found in 1905. Only 2% of the world's diamonds are Type IIa. The company also recovered two white diamonds, an 813-carat stone and a 374-carat stone at the Karowe Mine. Photo courtesy Lucara Diamond Corp. mINING