Hidden gold? Ohio entrepreneur believes jade laced with platinum and gold could bring economic boost

CLEVELAND - A modern day gold rush may be occurring in the sand and gravel mines of Ohio.

Ray Marvin of the Ohio Jade Factory has been working with jade for nearly 40 years and said the jewelry quality jade that he is finding in theses mines all over Ohio could lead to hundreds of jobs and millions in earnings.

“This could create hundreds of jobs,” said Marvin. “This will take an existing natural resource and utilize it to its fullest potential. ”

Marvin is finding jade that is laced with gold and platinum. The amount of gold and platinum is small but at the current cost of these precious metals it could have a huge economic impact on our area.

Marvin is also looking far beyond the value to the economy.

“This form of jade will make our troops safer, it will increase the defense of every vehicle we have against IED’s,” Marvin said.

Jade is one of the strongest minerals on earth, according to Marvin, and he said he believes that he can use what he is finding to armor plate vehicles. By grinding up the mineral into a dust and combining it with a ceramic tile Marvin said he can create a nearly impenetrable surface.

Marvin also makes different jewelry like rings and necklaces from the jade. He said he will sell his jewelry for far less than the $300 a gram that jade jewelry is selling for in Guatemala, vowing to sell his finished jewelry for around $5 a gram.

With 40 years of experience working not only in the United States but Mexico and other countries, Marvin said what is right here in our own backyards is some of the easiest to identify.

The Ohio Jade Factory is in its infancy, but over the next few months or year Marvin hopes to attract investors and take what most see as just another rock in a pile of rocks and turn it into a booming industry that saves lives and makes millions.

The locations where Marvin is finding this jade are a closely guarded secret because of the potential for theft, but Marvin is confident that the quality and quantity are plentiful throughout Ohio.

This is a story that we will follow as Marvin continues to develop his business.