說到發現臺灣玉的過程，不得不提起廖學誠老師。民國45年，廖老師仍是一位大學生，在跟著礦產調查大隊探勘花蓮豐田的石棉礦場時，發現到顏色鮮綠透亮的石頭。經過鑑定，發現原來是經濟價值很高的閃玉。東部產玉的消息不脛而走，漸漸捲起臺灣玉的採礦風潮，連外國人都會特地跑來臺灣買玉。

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​除了廖老師的發現，當時也有賴國內外學者、礦場主管、政府機關人員重視臺灣玉，才讓臺灣玉產業在1960至70年代能發光發熱。

One cannot discuss the discovery of Taiwan jade without mentioning Professor Liao Hsueh-cheng. Back in 1956, when Liao was in college, he found bright green stones while prospecting an asbestos mine with a mineral survey team in Fengtian, Hualien. Appraisal revealed that what he discovered was nephrite, which came with high economic value. As news spread about jade mining in eastern Taiwan, a trend emerged, so much so that foreigners came to Taiwan just to buy jade.

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In addition to Liao’s contribution, the jade industry’s boom from the 1960s to the 70s also resulted from efforts by Taiwanese and international researchers, mining executives, and government officials.