A 175-tonne jade boulder worth an estimated $170 million has been unearthed in Myanmar’s Kachin state, Gem Konnect reports. The boulder, which is 4.3 metres high and 5.8 metres long, is reportedly second in size only to the carved statue at the Jade Buddha Palace in China, which weighs 260 tonnes.
The boulder is reportedly being sent to China, the world’s largest jade market, to be turned into jewellery and sculptures.
Earlier this month, US President Barack Obama waived sanctions against the trade of ruby and jadeite from Myanmar (Burma). Since 2003, the US government had banned the importation of gemstones from Burma (Myanmar), especially valuable ruby and jadeite.
