Jadeite has a relatively limited geographic source compared to other types of jade. Here is an overview of the main regions and countries where jadeite can be found.
Myanmar
Myanmar, also known as Burma, is the world's primary source of high-quality jadeite. The northern part of Myanmar contains an area known as the Jade Tract near the Chinese border. This remote mountainous region contains an abundance of jadeite deposits. For centuries, jadeite has been extracted from the mines here and traded both within Myanmar and exported throughout Asia. Even today, the finest jadeite jewelry often originates from the revered mines of Myanmar.
Guatemala
Guatemala is another essential source of jadeite in the world today. While jadeite from Guatemala is not quite as prized as Burmese jadeite, it still produces jadeite of fine emerald colors. The Motagua River valley in Guatemala contains rich jadeite deposits that have been mined for many generations. Indigenous cultures such as the Olmec and Maya treasured Guatemalan jadeite for use in ritual tools and jewelry. Today, jadeite mining and jade crafting continues to provide income for local communities in Guatemala.
United States
While not a primary source, jadeite can also be found in limited deposits in the United States. Small amounts of jadeite have been discovered in Alaska, California, and Wyoming. During the 19th century Gold Rush, miners even discovered some jadeite mixed in with gold deposits in California. However, commercial jadeite mining has never taken off in the U.S. Today, it is more common for American jewelers to import jadeite from Myanmar and Guatemala rather than source it domestically. Still, the occurrences of jadeite in the western U.S. demonstrate that this gemstone can form outside of Asia.
Russia
Jadeite has also been found in small quantities in far eastern Russia. Deposits have been identified on the Kolyma River Basin in Siberia. These remote deposits likely formed due to the movement of the Pacific tectonic plate. While not a major global source, Russia contributes occasional discoveries of jadeite worldwide. The vivid green colors and translucency of Russian jadeite can rival fine jadeite from other regions when cut and polished by expert artisans.
Japan
Jadeite can also rarely be found in Japan. Small deposits have been located in remote parts of Japan such as Itoigawa. Japanese jadeite is not mined commercially but is sometimes discovered by locals and rock hounds. High-quality Japanese jadeite exhibits the same deep green hues and smooth texture as jadeite from Myanmar and Guatemala. Japanese jadeite serves as another example of this gemstone forming outside its key sources.
In summary, jadeite predominantly originates from key deposits in Myanmar and Guatemala that make these countries the top exporters worldwide today. But small pockets of jadeite can also emerge in other areas such as Russia, Japan, and the Americas, adding to the overall global supply.
