Jade – a gemstone of unique symbolic energy, and unique in the myths that surround it. With its beauty and wide-ranging expressiveness, jade has held a special attraction for mankind for thousands of years.
This gem, with its discreet yet rather greasy luster, which comes in many fine nuances of green, but also in shades of white, gray, black, yellow, and orange and in delicate violet tones, has been known to Man for some 7000 years.
Jade is a name that for centuries was applied to ornamental gemstones people were bringing to Europe from China and Central America. It wasn't until 1863 that society realized the term "jade" was being applied to two different minerals.
'Jade', or yu, as it is called in China, is strictly speaking a generic term for two different gems, nephrite and jadeite. The name is derived from the Spanish 'piedra de ijada', loin-stone, jade having been recognized by the Amerindians as a remedy for kidney ailments. Because of its beneficial effect on the kidneys, the stone was also known as 'lapis nephriticus'. That, indeed, is where the term 'nephrite' came from.
Jadeite and nephrite are both regarded in China as 'zhen yu', 'genuine jade'. It was not until the beginning of the 19th century that mineralogists and gemologists started to differentiate between them, since they bear a considerable resemblance to each other in terms of their appearance, their hardness and the properties they exhibit when being processed. Both are tough, since they consist of dense, close-grained, matted aggregates, but they differ from one another in their chemical composition and colors. Nephrite ranges mainly from mid to dark green or grey-green, but it can also be white, yellowish or reddish.
Rarer, and somewhat tougher, jadeite displays hues which include green, but also white or pink, and reds, blacks, browns and violets. In both minerals, the way the color is distributed varies a great deal. Only in the very finest jade is the color evenly distributed. Both nephrite and jadeite often have veins, blemishes and streaks running through them, though these may not always be regarded as flaws. On the contrary, some of these patterns are considered particularly valuable.
Jadeite is rarer than nephrite and is therefore regarded as more precious. Nephrite deposits have been found in China, New Zealand, Russia, Guatemala and the Swiss Alps. Dark green jade, so-called Canada jade, is also found in Western Canada. Jadeite is found in China, Russia and Guatemala, but the best stones come from Burma, now known as Myanmar.
What distinguishes good jade?
In general, the value of jade is determined according to its color and the intensity of that color, the vivacity and texture, and its clarity and transparency. Likings for particular colors. vary considerably from region to region and culture to culture.
In green jade alone, the connoisseurs differentiate between seven main qualities, from the intense, even green of imperial jade, via apple green and spinach green, all the way to the lighter and to more heavily speckled shades of green. These special nuances often overlap and can hardly be recognized by the untrained eye.
In the USA and Europe, emerald green, spinach green and apple green are regarded as particularly valuable.
In the Far East, on the other hand, pure white or a fine yellow with a delicate pink undertone is highly esteemed.
In the world of jewelry, the fine violet nuances of lavender jade are very popular.
It is however the rare, emerald green of imperial jade, which shines through at the edges, a color of incredible depth, which fetches the highest prices.
In ancient Egypt, jade was admired as the stone of love, inner peace, harmony and balance. In other regions and cultures too, jade was regarded as a lucky or protective stone; yet it had nowhere near the significance that it had in Asia, which was presumably due to the fact that people knew relatively little about this fascinating gem.
Since at least 2950 B.C., jade has been treasured in China as the royal gemstone, yu. According to archeological findings, the Chinese first began to know and use jade in the early Neolithic Age. The ancient Chinese believed jade was the essence of heaven and the earth, and carved jade into birds and beasts to use as items of worship.
Jade was also a symbol of power, and only aristocrats could own items made from the gemstone. It was even made a standard of morality for the Chinese.
Confucius concluded that jade had 11 virtues, including benevolence, fidelity, polite etiquette, wisdom and sincerity. Hence, jade was not only a decoration, but also a symbol of ethics and behavior. The fashion of wearing jade accessories soon was adopted, and it was said that a true gentleman would never leave his jade ornaments behind. The Chinese even consumed powdered jade as a remedy for just about every ailment known, and even the dying drank it as a powerful embalming solution.
In Central America, the Olmecs, Mayans and Toltecs also treasured jade and used it for carvings and masks. The Aztecs instituted a tax in jade, which unfortunately led to the recycling of earlier artworks. The Mayans revered Jade as the 'Sovereign of Harmony,' facilitating peace within the physical, emotional and intellectual structures within this physical world.
The history of jade in Europe is not quite as distinguished. Although prehistoric axes and blades carved from jade have been found, most Europeans were unfamiliar with jade as a gemstone for jewelry use until the 16th century, when jade objects were imported from China and, later, Central America.
The Portuguese, who brought back jade pieces from their settlement in China, called jade piedre de ilharga, or gemstone of the loins, because they believed it to be a strong medicine for kidney ailments. The Spanish adapted their own version of this phrase, piedra de hijada, when jade objects were brought home from the New World. This term soon became the French ejade, and then finally, the English "jade."
It is said to be one of the stones in the Breastplate of the High Priest.
Jade is known as the "Dream Stone", helping one to remember ones dreams and aid in the practice of 'dream-solving.' Also referred to as a "Stone of Fidelity", jade helps to bring out ones devotion to purpose and relationships.
Jade can assist in tuning-in to the needs of others, inspiring wisdom in problems solving, and promotes balance in achieving the needs of self against the needs of the day.
(Astrological Signs of Aries, Gemini, Taurus & Libra)
Vibrates to the Master number 11
Jade is said to help protect the kidneys, heart, hips, kidneys, and spleen, and strengthen the body. It also is believed to add longevity and stimulate the health of hair.
