Jadeite Gemstone Information![]() Buy Natural Jadeite from GemSelect
About Jadeite - History and IntroductionJadeite is a pyroxene mineral and one of the two types of pure jade. The other is known as nephrite jade. Jadeite is the rarer of the two jades, and as a result, it is considered to be more precious and valuable. The most valuable form of jadeite is a striking and even emerald green known as "imperial jadeite". The history of jadeite goes back several thousand years when it was first used to make weapons and tools because of its toughness. Jadeite was highly prized by the Mayans and Aztecs, in fact the name "jade" originates from the Spanish "piedra de ijada", meaning "stone for the pain in the side". It was thus named after Spanish explorers noticed natives of Central America holding pieces of jade to their sides to cure ills. In Chinese, jade is known as "yu", which means "heavenly" or "imperial". Therefore, it is considered to be the imperial gem in Chinese culture. In China, jade was found in the tombs of Shang kings.
Jadeite can be distinguished from other similar materials, such as nephrite, by its hardness and density. There are a lot of other materials fraudulently sold as jadeite and it is difficult to identify jadeite by outside appearance. The most reliable method of identifying jadeite from other substances is by testing its specific gravity. A simple test to distinguish jadeite from nephrite is a chime test. Nephrite emits a musical tone when it is struck, whereas jadeite does not. The main source of jadeite is Myanmar (Burma), which is also the main source of imperial jadeite. However, imperial jadeite has also been found in Guatemala. Jadeite is also found in Japan, Canada, Guatemala, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkey, Cuba and the USA.
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Please refer to our Gemstone Glossary for details of gemology-related terms.
Nephrite is the other type of jade that can easily be confused with jadeite. Nephrite is the most common form of jade and is softer than jadeite, at 6 - 6.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Nephrite can also be distinguished from jadeite by its lower specific gravity and different crystal structure. Nephrite also differs from jadeite in its chemical composition; nephrite is calcium magnesium iron silicate, whereas jadeite is sodium aluminum silicate. Chloromelanite, also known as "maw-sit-sit", is made of a mineral called kosmochlor, which is related to jadeite. It also contains some jadeite. All forms of jade are often grouped together and sold simply as a type of 'jade gemstone'. Jadeite should not be confused with aventurine, which is misleadingly sold as "Indian jade". Also, "Russian jade" and "Wyoming jade" are types of nephrite. "Wyoming jade" can also refer to another substance composed of tremoite and albite. Hetian jade is a Chinese jade mined from Hotan that is highly sought-after for carvings and jade jewelry. Chrysoprase is also passed off as "Australian jade", but has a lower density than jadeite and forms as trigonal crystals, whereas jadeite crystals are monoclinic. Other minerals that are associated with jadeite are serpentine, nepheline, calcite, quartz, aragonite, glaucophane and vesuvianite. Serpentine looks similar to jadeite, but serpentine is softer, less dense and feels greasy to the touch.
Jadeite Gemstone Mythology, Metaphysical and Alternative Crystal Healing Powers Back to Top
The Mayans and Aztecs believed that jadeite could cure pains in the side of the body. This is where the name "jade" originated, since early Spanish explorers named it "piedra de ijada", meaning "stone for the pain in the side". The Chinese named jade "yu", meaning "heavenly stone", "imperial gem" or "precious gem", and in China, jadeite symbolizes goodness, beauty and purity. In China, jadeite is considered to be so precious that there is a Chinese saying that goes, "gold is valuable; jade is priceless". Jadeite is thought to possess health-strengthening properties and encourage longevity. The Chinese often carve jadeite into traditional figures that bring further meaning, such as dragons, which are symbols of power and prosperity. In feng shui, jadeite is thought to influence prosperity and health. Jadeite is thought by the Chinese to possess healing properties, and bangles that are carved from a single piece of jadeite are thought to protect the wearer. There are numerous stories told of jadeite bangle wearers becoming seriously ill or being involved in accidents. In each of these stories, the bangle broke at a critical time and then the wearer miraculously recovered from their illness or emerged from the accident free from injury. It is said that jadeite bangles absorb negative energy, thus protecting those who wear them. It is also believed that jadeite reflects the life of the wearer, becoming more brilliant and bright during good times and losing its luster in times of suffering. In astrology, jadeite is associated with the sign of Taurus. Furthermore, jadeite is believed to allow its wearer to open their heart in readiness for love.
The versatility of jadeite makes it ideal for a variety of uses. Jadeite is often cut en cabochon, especially for use in stunning jadeite cabochon rings, or into spheres or discs, for earrings, pendants and necklaces. It is also carved into intricate ornaments that can be worn as brooches or other ornaments. Jadeite is ideal for both men and women. It can be paired with diamonds and set in gold or silver. For men, popular jadeite jewelry items are chunky rings, tie pins, cuff links and pendants. For ladies, jadeite can be worn as pendants, beaded necklaces or bracelets, charm bracelets, bangles, rings, earrings or hair ornaments. In the East, jadeite jewelry is even given to young children, in the form of bangles. Note: Buy colored gemstones by size and not by carat weight. Colored stones vary in size-to-weight ratio. Some stones are larger and others are smaller than diamonds by weight in comparison. There are culturally and artistically interesting pieces of jadeite that have reached high prices in several corners of the world. A beautiful vivid green jadeite beaded necklace, known as the "doubly fortunate necklace" was sold at Christie's in 1997 for an amazing $9.3 million. Its name refers to the owners' fortunes doubling each time the source boulder was cut. There are also historically significant jadeite items displayed in museums all over the world. One such example is in the National Museum of Korea in Seoul, South Korea. It is a fifth century gold crown, which features comma-shaped jadeite beads, called "gokok". Another famous piece of jadeite is the Jadeite Cabbage, which was carved from a piece of jadeite. It is an amazingly true-to-life color representation of a Chinese cabbage and features camouflaged insects in its leaves. It is displayed at the National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan. Another exquisitely carved jadeite item is the famous 50 cm tall Jade Dragon Vase, carved from lavender and green Burmese jadeite. It is exhibited in the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, USA. Both the Jadeite Cabbage and the Jade Dragon Vase are stunning examples of how finely and delicately jadeite can be carved. Also a green jadeite Maya Maize God pendant from Mexico is part of the display at the National Museum of the American Indian, USA. Additionally, a gray Mexican Olmec jadeite mask is part of the collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, in Boston, USA.
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- 首次发布于: February-11-2014
- 最后更新于:: January-17-2019
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