(Ecns.cn)--A 45.6-ton block of jade measuring about 6 meters in length, 3 meters in height and 3.2 meters in width was put on display Wednesday in Manas County of Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
The translucent and vivid green stone was first spotted on a local mountain and has since stirred the curiosity of many jade hobbyists.
The local merchant who owns it says he is not planning to sell it yet, however, since Manas was named the "Jade City in China" earlier this year, making the jade block very likely to increase in value in the future.
Jia Wenhong, vice head of the Manas Jade and Stone Trade Association, also pointed out that such a huge piece of jade is quite rare and will be a major source of raw materials for sculptures.
Historic records show that jade from Manas has long been famous for its color and texture. Many articles in the Forbidden City were made of jade from Manas.
