Miners discover huge jade rock thought to be most valuable in the world
Miners have unearthed a huge piece of jade believed to be the most valuable in the world.
Workers were excavating rare gems at a remote mine in Kachin State, Burma, when they unearthed the monster rock that weighs 175 tonnes, stands 9ft high and 18ft wide, and is worth a staggering £140 million.
With the wholesale price of Jadeite - the most valuable form of the gem - at anything between $1,000-$1,400 per kg, the rock is estimated to be worth $174.6m (£143m) - the highest for any single piece of raw Jade.
And that price could be even higher once the rock, which will boast its trademark green hue once cleaned, has been polished and shaped.
Miner Sao Min, 44, said: “We thought we had won the lottery. But this belongs to the country. It is in honour of our leaders.”
Huge - the jadeite weighs a whopping 174 tonnes (Picture: SWNS)
Local politician U Tint Soe (pictured above with the giant gem), said: “The jade is as big as two small houses that are 9ft square.
’‘I assume that it is a present for the fate for our citizens, the government and our party as it was discovered in the time of our government. It’s a very good sign for us.”
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The monster gem is second only in size to the a carved statue at the Jade Buddha Palace in China which weighs 260 tonnes.
It will now be sent to China where it will be carved up into expensive jewelry and sculptures.
Polishing - the jade will likely be sent to China to be polished (Picture: Rex)
Chinese jade expert Frank Xiao, a dealer in Shenzhen, southern China on the border with Hong Kong, said: “This is a beautiful find. There are many negotiations but it’s likely to be coming to China.
’'It will make many beautiful necklaces and bracelets in the future. And plenty of statues for homes in China.”
Burma - or Myanmar - is the world’s largest producer of jadeite and the $50bn-a-year industry represents half of the country’s GDP.
(Top picture: SWNS)
