Jade

WHAT IS IT?

• Thought to be of one variety until 1863, when Jadeite and Nephrite were identified

• Confused with Serpentine which is softer (2.5 to 4 versus 6 to 7).

• Serpentine is also called "False Jade" or "Teton Jade" (often dyed to deceive buyers)

• A form of Chatoyant Actinolite is known as "Cat's Eye Jade", but is not a true Jade

• Chrysoprase is marketed as "Australian Jade", but is not a true Jade (It is chalcedony)

JADEITE

• A Metamorphic Pyroxene mineral with the composition NaAlSi₂O₆

• Harder and generally rarer than Nephrite

• Hardness: 5 to 7 (Quartz is 7)

• Formed under high pressure at low temperatures

• Metamorphizes from Albite (NaAlSi2O8)

• Color:. Pale to Deep Green, Blue-Green, Pink, Lavender, Black

• Iron, Chromium and other trace elements contribute to the color

• Primary source of gem-quality jadeite: Myanmar ("Burmese Jade")

• Other sources: British Columbia, California, Guatemala, Italy, Japan, NZ, Russia, Turkestan

• Considered the "Imperial Gem" in China

• Introduced into China from Burma in 1784 (prior to 1784 all Chinese jade was Nephrite)

• "lmperial Green" jade from Myanmar most prized in China (can be as expensive as diamond)

NEPHRITE

• A Metamorphic Calcium-Magnesium Silicate: Ca₂(Mg, Fe)₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂

• Darker Nephrite consists of iron rich Actinolites

• Lighter Nephrite contain more Magnesium rich Tremolite

• Hardness: 6 to 6.5

• Color: Grays & Greens common; Brown, Yellow, White less common

• White to Pale Yellow "Mutton Fat" Nephrite from Khotan, China is rare & expensive, often exceeding the price of Gold (up to $3000 per ounce)

• Chinese "Chicken Bone" Nephrite is Opaque White and may have a light gray or brown tint with a coarse chalky texture

• Largest source: British Columbia, Canada (5% of B.C. Nephrite is of prime quality)

• Other sources: Australia (largest black jade deposit), China, Korea, NZ, Poland, Siberia, Taiwan, USA(AK, CA, WY mainly)

• Best quality deposits: B.C, Siberia

WHAT IS IT USED FOR?

• Neolithic weapons (jade was used before metals were available because of its toughness)

• Ceremonial & decorative objects (esp. In China)

• Was believed to cure kidney stones when rubbed on the body

• The Maori of New Zealand used Nephrite to make weapons & Ornaments.  The southern island was known as "The Land of the Greenstone Water”

• Jewelry is made from "Greenstone" Nephrite in New Zealand (most of the raw material is now imported from B.C.)

• Currently used for ornamental purposes Carvings, Beads, Cabochons & for homeopathy