Location: Jade

Discussion: Washington Jadeite, Nephrite and Grossular Garnet..

Category: Discussion Forum / 5--Rock Hounding

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retiredoldfogee	Washington Jadeite, Nephrite and Grossular Garnet.. Dec 18 2008, 7:00 PM EST Hi All, Does anybody here have any experience Jade hunting in Washington? Jadeite is available in Eagle Creek, Snohomish County. Nephrite, Serpentine with 6+ hardness, Grossular Garnet, and not sure if Jadeite is in Deer Creek, OSO, Washington. Skagit County has multiple Jadeite sites. Anybody here have experience with the sites, and pictures of different mineral rocks from them? Its pretty tough unless you know what you are looking for, so pictures of river rocks, their identifications, and finished product especially gemmy finished product will be awesome. Thanks, Aaron Post reply 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you? Keyword tags: None
aubreyreynolds9@gmai	1. RE: Washington Jadeite, Nephrite and Grossular Garnet.. Dec 20 2008, 12:38 PM EST Have you any pictures of Washington Jade? I would enjoy seeing them. Is the Garnets of any size and can they be facetted? Thanks Bill Post reply Do you find this valuable?
retiredoldfogee	2. RE: Washington Jadeite, Nephrite and Grossular Garnet.. Dec 21 2008, 2:19 AM EST I only have a couple of pictures, however, I have a bunch of stones I could photograph. I will match the stones to the rocks they came from to be more helpful, and then post photos. I've heard from a couple of people who have found Grossular Garnet in the Oso, Deer Creek area, and from what I understand it is decent size and therefore can be faceted. Its a gorgeous green color. I did find one stone with Grossular Garnet specs, but nothing facetable in that. The color is amazing though in the green. So I kept the stone. I'll add a message once I post photos. Its snowing here tonight and since I will probably be snowed in tomorrow, I'll have some time to perform the photo task. Thanks, Aaron Post reply Do you find this valuable?
aubreyreynolds9@gmai	3. RE: Washington Jadeite, Nephrite and Grossular Garnet.. Dec 21 2008, 8:52 AM EST "I only have a couple of pictures, however, I have a bunch of stones I could photograph. I will match the stones to the rocks they came from to be more helpful, and then post photos. I've heard from a couple of people who have found Grossular Garnet in the Oso, Deer Creek area, and from what I understand it is decent size and therefore can be faceted. Its a gorgeous green color. I did find one stone with Grossular Garnet specs, but nothing facetable in that. The color is amazing though in the green. So I kept the stone. I'll add a message once I post photos. Its snowing here tonight and since I will probably be snowed in tomorrow, I'll have some time to perform the photo task. Thanks, Aaron" Looking forward to seeing the pics. Bill Post reply 0 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
retiredoldfogee	4. RE: Washington Jadeite, Nephrite and Grossular Garnet.. Dec 21 2008, 11:39 PM EST Hi Bill, I posted the photos. My camera doesn't photograph color or close up to well. I tried real hard though so hopefully these will do. I assume the greenstone photos are of least interest however, they showed up first in the list so will have to make due. The following link is the photo album. http://cash-and-treasures-wiki.travelchannel.com/album/72300/Oso,%20Washington%20Deer%20Creek%20Jade,%20Serpentine,%20and%20Grossular%20Garnet Thanks, Aaron Post reply Do you find this valuable?
aubreyreynolds9@gmai	5. RE: Washington Jadeite, Nephrite and Grossular Garnet.. Dec 22 2008, 7:55 AM EST Thanks for posting the photos. I enjoy cutting jade. It is a little tough to get a mirror polish but it sells well. Do you have a saw and grinding wheels to work your finds? Bill Post reply Do you find this valuable?
TallTomSr	6. RE: Washington Jadeite, Nephrite and Grossular Garnet.. Dec 22 2008, 12:41 PM EST "Hi Bill, I posted the photos. My camera doesn't photograph color or close up to well. I tried real hard though so hopefully these will do. I assume the greenstone photos are of least interest however, they showed up first in the list so will have to make due. The following link is the photo album. http://cash-and-treasures-wiki.travelchannel.com/album/72300/Oso,%20Washington%20Deer%20Creek%20Jade,%20Serpentine,%20and%20Grossular%20Garnet Thanks, Aaron" I have found when taking close up pics that if I set my camer on macro it works a bit better and I use a small tripod I picked up at the dollar store. Tom Post reply Do you find this valuable?
AZrhound	7. RE: Washington Jadeite, Nephrite and Grossular Garnet.. Dec 22 2008, 1:08 PM EST Hey Tom I was using one of those tripod from the dollar store for a long time until it broke. I have went back to the dollar store a few time and they haven't had any in stock. I might have to break down and buy the $10 tripod at Wal-Mart. My wife makes fun of me because I have been using the dollar tripod with our very expensive camera. LOL Using a tripod allow for a steady shot. I also like it because I can get the same shot of my fluoresent specimens with normal light and U.V. light. Aaron, Thank you for sharing your photos. TallTomSr is correct for close-up shots your camera should be set to macro (flower button). Give the macro button a try and please keep sharing your photos. Thanks, Tom(AZrhound) Post reply Do you find this valuable?
retiredoldfogee	8. RE: Washington Jadeite, Nephrite and Grossular Garnet.. Dec 22 2008, 1:15 PM EST Hi Bill, All I have is a dremel and a drill right now. I use the diamond tip attachments, and a mini diamond saw. If I need to cut big rocks I rent one, or get help from others. I seriously need a saw and grinding wheel. A little dremel mine is the battery operated one can take a week to make a single cab. One a positive note my cabs are perfect internally because I spend so much time grinding at them, and cutting them I notice every single little inclusion. LOL, I made a small green cab that started out with about a 15 carat rough chunk that I thought was internally perfect, by the tie I was done it was only 4.5 carats because I kept finding mior inclusions. I really need a grinding wheel and saw though, I could probably make some money with my Jade. Tehe. Aaron Post reply Do you find this valuable?
retiredoldfogee	9. RE: Washington Jadeite, Nephrite and Grossular Garnet.. Dec 22 2008, 1:21 PM EST Unfortunately, my camera is a Polaroid izone 550. No macro button. My wife can't stand it and has made very clear that her 1.3 megapixel camera on her cell phone takes better pictures. It does too. I am definitely in need of a new camera when I can afford one. Thanks, Aaron Post reply Do you find this valuable?
pvjjh	10. RE: Washington Jadeite, Nephrite and Grossular Garnet.. Dec 23 2008, 5:19 PM EST Nice pics and finds there Aaron. If would be breat to find some of those garnets. Enjoy the jade art work. Paul Post reply Do you find this valuable?
aubreyreynolds9@gmai	11. RE: Washington Jadeite, Nephrite and Grossular Garnet.. Jan 6 2009, 11:41 AM EST "Hi Bill, All I have is a dremel and a drill right now. I use the diamond tip attachments, and a mini diamond saw. If I need to cut big rocks I rent one, or get help from others. I seriously need a saw and grinding wheel. A little dremel mine is the battery operated one can take a week to make a single cab. One a positive note my cabs are perfect internally because I spend so much time grinding at them, and cutting them I notice every single little inclusion. LOL, I made a small green cab that started out with about a 15 carat rough chunk that I thought was internally perfect, by the tie I was done it was only 4.5 carats because I kept finding mior inclusions. I really need a grinding wheel and saw though, I could probably make some money with my Jade. Tehe. Aaron" Aaron, I have been looking at your jade and reading about Washington jade online. You have got something there. I can sell all the jade I make into jewelry. You might follow Jake's example and sell on e-bay. I know for one I would like to get a hold of some. I will contact you about that personally. The Washington Jade is in demand of the Web and brings a good price. Some rock shows would be a great place to sell rough. If you have enough a trip to Quartzsite, AZ might be profitable. Keep prospecting and get some more. Is the jade in Washington difficult to find? Post reply Do you find this valuable?
retiredoldfogee	12. RE: Washington Jadeite, Nephrite and Grossular Garnet.. Jan 6 2009, 1:02 PM EST \| Post edited: Jan 6 2009, 1:02 PM EST Hi Bill, I would say yes. Jade in Washington is difficult to find. There are a few known locales for Nephrite Jade, however, finding good gem quality Nephrite Jade is hard to find. The same goes for the green grossular garnet Jade look alike, and even the serpentine based Jade that has a hardness of Nephrite similar to Bowenite, but seems to be an entirely different variety. So far from what I can tell the Washington Jadeite, although almost completely unknown, and relatively no information exists about it is just a black opaque variety, with green sploches. Opaque as well, and not the most beautiful stones. My hopes are once I find those if I can find a source maybe I will be able to put it all together and find gem quality Jadeite if any at all exists in this state. One locale that I read about from what I can tell has a 1 to 3 centimeter layer of Jadeite that runs through a mountain here, of course even then the length of that area would be small due to the fact that it would have to come from a fault line. As for the Washington Jade I have in pictures although its not easy to find, it is easier once you know what to look for and where. I'd love to sell at rock shows however, before I could sell at any rock shows I would have to verify the locale I collected the rocks allows for that. Thanks, Aaron Post reply Do you find this valuable?
aubreyreynolds9@gmai	13. RE: Washington Jadeite, Nephrite and Grossular Garnet.. Jan 6 2009, 7:21 PM EST \| Post edited: Jan 6 2009, 7:21 PM EST "Hi Bill, I would say yes. Jade in Washington is difficult to find. There are a few known locales for Nephrite Jade, however, finding good gem quality Nephrite Jade is hard to find. The same goes for the green grossular garnet Jade look alike, and even the serpentine based Jade that has a hardness of Nephrite similar to Bowenite, but seems to be an entirely different variety. So far from what I can tell the Washington Jadeite, although almost completely unknown, and relatively no information exists about it is just a black opaque variety, with green sploches. Opaque as well, and not the most beautiful stones. My hopes are once I find those if I can find a source maybe I will be able to put it all together and find gem quality Jadeite if any at all exists in this state. One locale that I read about from what I can tell has a 1 to 3 centimeter layer of Jadeite that runs through a mountain here, of course even then the length of that area would be small due to the fact that it would have to come from a fault line. As for the Washington Jade I have in pictures although its not easy to find, it is easier once you know what to look for and where. I'd love to sell at rock shows however, before I could sell at any rock shows I would have to verify the locale I collected the rocks allows for that. Thanks, Aaron" One great web site about Washington jade is :http://washingtonjade.com/_mgxroot/page_10793.html Where there is alluvial deposit there must be a mother load up stream somewhere. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
retiredoldfogee	14. RE: Washington Jadeite, Nephrite and Grossular Garnet.. Jan 7 2009, 1:09 PM EST \| Post edited: Jan 7 2009, 1:09 PM EST Yes, I've seen tha web site, and actually had some question and answer via EMails as well. Those specimins are all Nephrite Jade, and I believe there is a photo of a large Grossular Garnet as well. The person I went back and forth with actually lives near the areas where most of the good Jade is found in Washington. Of course he said that those Jade specimins can be found all over the Cascade Mountains in rivers and streams, however, the Botroidal specimens are very rare. Even up in the Jade rich areas, the Gem grade Jade is only found in about 1 of 150 specimens. As for the Motherload, I am on it;) Been scouting out the area for months now. Most of the Grossular Garnet and Nephrite Jade in Deer Creek come from a 10 mile long area with huge deep scarns, and surrounded by rugged hills and mountains, I would say all mountains but since some of the hills are technically not mountains due to their elevation, I will simply say hills. but the steepness and cliffs, I would personally define them as mountains. This is complicated by the bottom of the Deer Creek Area where Deer Creek enters the Northern Fork of the Stillaguamish river being mostly private property, and then the private property basically being right up against these hills/mountains on both sides of the creek, making it almost impossible to follow the creek up stream from the base. Then the Deer Creek, Oso side where most people find Oso Deer Creek Jade, and Grossular Garnet is in Snohomish County which is actually a regulated collecting area, in the Washington State Gold and FIsh Pamphlet, and only allows collecting by appointment, where as The North Fork only allows collecting in the Summer. That said 1/2 mile up Deer Creek from Oso, is the Snohomish/Skagit County line. At this point a person is out of the woods on the Seasonal, and Appointment settings in the Washington Gold & Fish pamphlet, but its so hard to get to , nobody does, and then figuring out regulations... Post reply Do you find this valuable?
retiredoldfogee	15. RE: Washington Jadeite, Nephrite and Grossular Garnet.. Jan 7 2009, 1:27 PM EST \| Post edited: Jan 7 2009, 1:27 PM EST 10 miles up is the source of Deer Creek, and this is about 2 miles from another Creek (Finney Creek) that is documented to not only have Nephrite Jade, but Jadeite Jade as well where Finney Creek enters the Skagit River. Head West about 20 miles from Finney Creek and the Stephens mine which was opened in 1938, also documented extracting both Nephrite and Jadeite. Ironically the Eagle Creek, area in Snohomish County appears to cross multiple fault lines, however, appears to be almost off by itself in connection with the rest of the area. Eagle Creek deposits into the South Fork of the Stillaguamish River, whereas Deer Creek enters the North Fork. The Eagle Creek area is about 20 miles south of the Stephen mine, and 8 miles Southwest of Oso, Deer Creek area. This is a fun project, and I am learning alot about rocks and geology. Also learning alot about how the state and federal government regulate our god given resources. Thanks, Aaron Post reply Do you find this valuable?
TallTomSr	16. RE: Washington Jadeite, Nephrite and Grossular Garnet.. Jan 7 2009, 2:51 PM EST \| Post edited: Jan 7 2009, 2:51 PM EST THanks Aaron for sharing that great info. I know that we have some of the greatest Jade in America here but as you say finding and getting are tough. I keep huntin and some day I know I will find a little bit. IF I ever locate the coastal seam north of me I will let you know. Tom Post reply Do you find this valuable?
aubreyreynolds9@gmai	17. RE: Washington Jadeite, Nephrite and Grossular Garnet.. Jan 8 2009, 9:15 AM EST \| Post edited: Jan 8 2009, 9:15 AM EST I will post a picture of Grossular Garnet from my collection. It is garnet crystals in a mass. Bill Post reply Do you find this valuable?
retiredoldfogee	18. RE: Washington Jadeite, Nephrite and Grossular Garnet.. Jan 8 2009, 12:48 PM EST Wow, that is a nice Garnet cluster:) Where is it from? and did you collect it yourself? That would be a very exciting find:) Aaron Post reply Do you find this valuable?
aubreyreynolds9@gmai	19. RE: Washington Jadeite, Nephrite and Grossular Garnet.. Jan 8 2009, 3:15 PM EST \| Post edited: Jan 8 2009, 3:15 PM EST It came out of a private collection in a estate sale. The location is: Mt. Garnet, North Queensland, Australia. I like garnets and have a wide variety and many I collected. I have one pyrope garnet crystal that weighs 8 pounds I dug up in North Georgia. Bill Post reply Do you find this valuable?

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