Jilin Panshi Jade Mine is the first time in Jilin Province
On September 21, a large jade mine was recently discovered in the Changbai Mountains of Jilin. Its main components are quartz jade and chlorophyllite jade. The Mohs hardness of quartz jade was measured to reach 6.5-7. This is the first time that high-hardness jade ore has been discovered in Jilin Province.
The jade mine is located in Futai Town, Panshi City, Jilin Province. The reporter saw large pieces of rough stone excavated and initially processed jade products at Sanhe Mining Development Co., Ltd. The ore shows a natural luster in the sun, divided into yellow, green, black and other kinds, with a smooth and delicate surface.
The mine was originally a lead-zinc mine. Last year, quartz ore was accidentally discovered during mining. It was confirmed as a large-scale jade mine by the seventh geological brigade of Liaoning Provincial Geology and Mineral Exploration Bureau.
According to the appraisal center of the jewelry college of China University of Geosciences (Beijing), the ore body is quartz jade and chlorophyllite cloud quartz jade. The two types of jade were named "Jilin Panlong Jade" and "Jilin Panlong Mo Jade" by the China University of Geosciences and the Jilin Provincial Jewelry and Jade Jewelry Industry Association.
According to experts, chlorite mica jade is "ink jade", and the mineral composition is mainly chlorite, quartz and mica. Ink jade containing these three components is relatively rare among jade varieties. The raw stone has formed a natural black and ink-like natural smooth surface due to hundreds of millions of years of changes, friction and extrusion in the earth's crust.
Bai Feng, associate professor at the School of Jewellery at China University of Geosciences in Beijing, said the Mohs hardness of Jilin Panlong Jade is 6.5-7, which is between teeth and amethyst, and is comparable to the hardness of Burmese jadeite.
Preliminary exploration shows that the jade deposit is rich in reserves and can be mined for a hundred years. Relying on this mine, Jilin Province is expected to become a new jade origin in our country.
