How Do You Find Jade In Big Sur?
Ancient cultures from China to Mexico considered jade more precious than gold. They believed it was an aphrodisiac, an aid in healing and that it had magical properties helping them communicate with the gods. Its hardness and durability also made it useful in producing weapons. One of the pleasures of exploring the Big Sur coast is finding jade along the seashore. Walk along the beaches at low tide, especially at Jade Cove. Pick up loose stones, but don’t pry jade from rock structures or the seabed. Don’t take more than you can carry yourself. Learn to identify jade when you see it. The most common colors are shades of green, but it can also be blue, fire red, brown, orange, yellow, white. It glows in the sunlight and it’s usually smooth with a slightly greasy feel. If you can scratch it with a knife, it’s not jade. Care for your collection of Big Sur jade by treating it with Howard’s Orange oil. Clean it with a cloth, a toothbrush or sandpaper. A salt coating often covers the jade, an
