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Jade Jewelry

Jade refers to two types of very similar minerals, Nephrite jade and Jadeite which are widely used to make jade jewelry and ornaments. Nephrite jade is an interwoven network of calcium and a magnesium-iron rich amphibole mineral series tremolite-ferroactinolite. The more iron that is present will give it a deeper green appearance and it is slightly softer than Jadeite. Jadeite is an aluminum and sodium rich pyroxene that is about the same hardness as quartz. Although it is harder than Nephrite, it is not as tough and will fracture with less force.

In China, jade is considered to be the imperial gem, and jade jewelry, armor, ornaments and weapons were common. The most pure white jade was given to emperors and then fashioned by artists into wearable pieces, pictorials and pendants. In ancient china jade was considered more valuable than gold and silver, especially lighter and more translucent jade. In the long history of the art and culture of the enormous Chinese empire, jade has always had a very special significance, roughly comparable with that of gold and diamonds in the West. Jade was used not only for the finest objects and cult figures, but also in grave furnishings for high-ranking members of the imperial family.

Jade became a favorite material for the crafting of Chinese scholars objects, such as rests for calligraphy brushes, jade jewelry as well as the mouthpieces of some opium pipes due to the belief that breathing through jade would bestow longevity upon smokers who used such a pipe. The rarity of jade, coupled with its beautiful color has made it a highly desirable material for jewelry and other ornaments. Because of its desirability there have been many other stones that have been dyed and passed off as jade to tourists or the undiscerning eye.

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