Figure 4. Jadeite from Itoigawa is found in serpentinite along a fault as blocks near the Kotaki River (upstream of the Hime River) and the Omi River. The Kotaki and Hashidate valleys are the main sources of gem-quality jadeite. White is the most common color, followed by green. Lavender, violet-blue, and blue jadeite are also found in Itoigawa-Omi. Source: Fossa Magna Museum.
Figure 5. Representative samples from four locations. A: Magatama carvings (25.51–63.88 ct) from Itoigawa-Omi. B: Variously colored rough jadeite boulder, cobble, and pebbles from Itoigawa-Omi (15.3–622.2 g) and a polished violetish blue jadeite from the Wakasa region (458.2 g). C: Green and lavender cabochons (4.75–15.45 ct) and polished slices from Kachin, Myanmar (17.84–136.4 g). D: Rough grayish green and lavender jadeite blocks from the Motagua region of Guatemala (223–1250 g). E: A green jadeite block (304 g) and two polished translucent to opaque jadeites (139.08 and 5.93 ct) from the Polar Urals of Russia. The magatama from Itoigawa-Omi and the Russian and Guatemalan samples are courtesy of the Jade Ore Museum (Hisui Gensekikan). The Burmese jadeites are courtesy of Miyuki Co., Ltd. Photos by Masumi Saito and Ahmadjan Abduriyim.
Figure 3. In this mosaic painting, made with pieces of Itoigawa jadeite, the magatama carving is worn by an empress of the ancient state of Koshi, in modern-day Niigata Prefecture. Courtesy of the Jade Ore Museum (Hisui Gensekikan).
Figure 2. Japanese jadeite is found in eight locations, though the only significant source of gem-quality material is the Itoigawa-Omi region in Niigata Prefecture. Modified after Fossa Magna Museum.
Figure 1. A large, attractive jadeite boulder from Itoigawa, Japan, characterized by mixed white and green colors. This boulder weighs 40.5 kg and measures approximately 39 cm high, 32 cm long, and 26 cm wide. Photo by Ahmadjan Abduriyim.
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