Jade forms under high pressure at subduction zones and is typically found around mountains or rivers, but Big Sur is the only known undersea source of quality nephrite—one of two types of jade

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Reynoutria japonica (wikipedia.org) Reynoutria japonica, synonyms Fallopia japonica and Polygonum cuspidatum, is a species of herbaceous perennial plant in the knotweed and buckwheat family Polygonaceae. Common names include Japanese knotweed and Asian knotweed. It is native to East Asia in Japan, China and Korea. In North America and Europe, the species has successfully established itself in numerous habitats, and is classified as a pest and invasive species in several countries.

Coastal Job: Jade Carver (hakaimagazine.com) Justin Barrett is part of a community of divers who hunt for underwater jade in Big Sur, California. At his workshop in nearby Pacific Grove, he carves his finds into sculptures and jewelry that weave together elements of the natural world.