Washington Jade - Washington's Premier Nephrite Jades
Few know of the quality of the nephrite jades found in Washington. A handful of experienced and gifted collectors searching the rivers and streams find some of the world’s most beautiful and rarest varieties of nephrite jade; however, the treacherous mountains and heavy rainforests have conspired to keep the sources largely hidden. After severa
l years we have learned a few of the secrets to finding these places. Rarest of the Rare Jades
Washington is one of the very few locations in the world where botryoidal jade is found. We call them Dragon Bubbles. But most stones find their way out of the state and lose their identity in the inscrutable realm of the international jade collector. Other stones containing some of Washington’s best gem grade nephrite jade find a similar fate as expensive jewelry and carvings. But what has been found in our Rivers and streams only hints at what remains to be revealed. Environmental Stewardship
The beauty of our jades reflects the majesty and mystery of the mountains and forests in which it is found. To leave no impact, only very small amounts of the best gem grade material is harvested as the artisanal community’s needs are modest. This takes patience as each boulder must be evaluated for both its artistic potential and for its place in the environment using state of the art technology. Appropriate boulders are then carefully removed using experienced hands with a commitment to stewardship. Jade Builds Community
Stronger that steel, tools made of jade were durable and saved labor helping early human communities to grow. This helped the Maori in New Zealand; the Olmec, Maya and Aztec in Mesoamerica; and the emerging dynasties in China to transcend the Stone Age in many ways, with jade becoming a cultural and spiritual centerpiece. In Washington, artifacts show that jade was used in trade and was an important part of early tribal cultures. A cottage industry harvesting local jade has sporadically followed. The jade resides on lands for which guardians in this modern age are federal, state and private owners. Artisanal Harvest Policy
Dr. Cook & Washington Jade are actively exploring the Devil’s Mountain Fault Zone in Washinton State using Dr. Cook’s proprietary exploration model for regional fault zones. This model has been developed over the past decade and used with considerable success to forecast exploration outcomes and to direct primary exploration efforts. Dr. Cook has located and staked several serpentinite intrusives in the Devil’s Mountain Fault Zone on United States Forest Service (USFS) land. Dr. Cook is currently operating on these claims under the direct supervisory authority of the USFS. Washington Jade has subsequently applied to lease large tracts of educational trust lands for gemstone exploration from Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and confidential discussions are underway with private land owners. Artisinal Reserves: Washington Jade maintains a carver’s reserve of gem grade material and a sculpture’s reserve of stones up to 1000 lbs collected from these claims. Washington Jade has also identified several dozen stones from 1000 pounds to several tons, some of which will comprise an in situ sculptors’ reserve. Under this program, sculptors can select stones in the field for specific projects and Washington Jade will harvest the stones. Washington Jade currently offers consignment terms at favorable prices to local artisans on a case by case basis. Local First: As part of its “local first” policy for the advancement of these resources, Dr. Cook and Washington Jade will give permission for individuals and organizations to gather stones for their own works, commercial or amateur, from designated locations on its wholly owned claims subject to certain conditions. The first condition is proof of adequate insurance, the second condition is that the collectors comply with all applicable laws and Washington Jade’s best practices and procedures for artisanal harvest, and third that collectors use the stones for their own works and pay a best wholesale price or pay modest royalty upon sale. Dr. Cook and Washington Jade partner with other local prospectors and local operators. Claims owned or operated in partnership with other individuals would require them to endorse any Agreement. Several claims are currently valid for which Dr. Cook has standing to authorize prospecting and the removal of material and to set royalty levels. No fees or royalties are contemplated for at least a few organized field trips each year. Carver’s reserve and sculptors’ reserve will be offered at aggressively low prices with terms; however, Washington Jade reserves the right to maintain prices that reflect its commitment to sustainable artisanal mining. Consignment terms are available for in situ reserve specimens for a mutually agreed price; however, in situ specimens are not removed from their natural setting without a project commitment by the individual sculptor. In general, all stones and material will be used for the collector’s personal artisinal efforts only, with the exception of modest fund raising efforts for non-profit organizations. USFS is the lead agency and must be consulted regarding any activities on any currently valid federal claims. Claim holders do not have the authority to restrict general recreational access to the claims; however, prospecting or removal of material without explicit written approval of the claim holders is not legal. Additionally, organized field trips often require (USFS) approval and organizations would need a permit which may in turn require proof of insurance. Field trip permits may also be required for those claims in Snohomish County. Washington Jade requires a short description of the proposed trip with a list of guides and collectors, and also requires proof of insurance for organized field trips in the form of a simple Letter Agreement. For individual individuals visiting the claim for the purposes of assessing the resource and removing materials under their own authority, Washington Jade typically requires either proof of insurance or a waiver of liability and simple Letter Agreement. Washington Jade's best practices are designed to set the standard for the green harvest of stone for artisanal purposes. At a minimum, these practices meet all legal environmental requirements to harvest the collected stones; however, Washington Jade's environmental standards typically exceed popular liberal interpretations of the legal mandates. At present, strict compliance with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDF) Gold and Fish Regulations is sufficient; however, Washington Jade will publish additional requirements as a part of it best practices from time to time. Some of the colluvial stones in the in situ sculptor’s reserve will require Washington Jade to obtain hydraulic permits from WDF prior to harvest. We require that collectors agree to adhere to Washington Jade’s best practices as they evolve to advance the resource in compliance with the law. Bull Trout Jade
Founded by local serial entrepreneurs, Bull Trout Jade (d.b.a. Washington Jade) produces investment grade jewelry and artisanal stones from its mines in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. Artisan and Dealer inquiries are welcome. Bull Trout Jade LLC: Bull Trout Jade was founded and financed in February of 2012 by Rodney C. Cook, Ph.D., Paul Pigott and Bull Trout Capital LLC. The Company produces, markets, and sells investment grade jewelry and artisanal products from its wholly owned jade and gem claims and the claims of its strategic partners. Bull Trout Jade has used Dr. Cook’s proprietary exploration model and new technologies to locate, claim and harvest investment grade nephrite on federal land in the Devil’s Mountain Fault Zone. The Company is also pursuing several strategic alliances that include lease agreements with private landowners and agencies. Find our more at: http://www.washingtonjade.com/About.html
