Jade Items To Dazzle You
One such precious stone, jade, has been shown to have been in use from the days of the cave dwellers. Examples of jade tools such as knives, axe heads, hunting weapons, buttons, and beads have been unearthed in ancient prehistoric digs worldwide. The term Jade, is given to any of two different silica based rocks known as nephrite and jadeite.
Although its color is associated with the feeling of ‘envy’, the Jade stone is acknowledged by several names – ‘The stone of Fidelity’, ‘The Stone of Immortality’, ‘Essence of Heaven and Earth’, etc. Jade has been used as a sacred stone for centuries, especially in the Chinese culture, where it stood for serenity, wisdom and balance; and was widely used as a talisman to attract good fortune, as amulets for protection, as badges of social rank or as conveyors of Imperial Court. Jade was known in China as 'yu', the 'royal gem' and the Chinese character ‘Yu’ is often used in Chinese names now.
Available in an enormous range of colors- white, pink, lilac, brown, red, orange, blue, black and many shades of green, the term ‘Jade’ usually referred to Green Jade which was either one of the two different minerals, soft jade (nephrite) and hard jade (jadeite). Jadeite, almost as hard as diamonds and stronger than steel, was preferred for fashioning tools, by even primitive man and in China, it enjoys the same position that diamonds hold in the West. Nephrite, which is cheaper than Jadeite, got its name when it was recognized by the American-Indians as a remedy for kidney ailments.
Nephrite has a composite mineral structure consisting of calcium, iron, and magnesium. The higher the concentration of iron in nephrite, the greener the tone of the rock. Nephrite is the softer than jadeite, which is approximately the hardness of quartz. Both nephrite and jadeite are able to be shaped into delicate forms, thus the abundance of uses jade has been used for over the many centuries. Jadeite not only appears in green tones, but also has been found in pink, orange, brown, and lavender colors, as well as an intense green that is known as kingfisher jade.
The ABC Treatment system is used to classify the types of Jade that are available in the market. Type A Jade is generally the untreated Jade which is soaked in wax for lubrication purposes. Type B is the Bleached of polymer-injected Jade whose discoloration is removed. Type C Jade is the artificially colored Jade and its color fades under prolonged sunlight. These include ‘Jade Simulants’, which are gemstones, but not strictly Jade as their hardness is lower. Red, Yellow, Blue, White/Cream and Lavender Jade are some of the few examples. Red Jade, known as active and passionate stone, is believed to help the wearer to control his/her temperament. Yellow Jade is believed to impart the gift of happiness and positive attitude. White Jade is a Nephrite Jade made of a mineral called actinolite, and it ranges in color from white to light green. Quality of Jade can be determined by its tone, color, translucency, texture and cutting.
In the earliest known dynasties of China and ancient Mongolia, nephrite jade ornaments have been unearthed, and traced from the tombs of these old rulers. The people of this time considered jade to be the “imperial gem”, signifying status or societal stature. It was used in many objects within royal palaces and homes, from statues to combs. When the mines along the Yangtze river were still producing heavy quantities of jade, some rulers had entire burial suits crafted for them to be entombed within. Many held to the belief that smoking through jade mouthpieces on their pipes would lengthen their life, so the finding of said mouthpieces is quite common. The Chinese were also quite influenced by calligraphy, so jade has also been used in the brushes used to write this art form, and also as simple brush holders. When the Chinese received an import of jadeite, it took the place of the nephrite as the new imperial gem, due to its’ variety of colors, and more intense appearance. It was, therefore believed that the qualities of the jadeite were magnified beyond those of the nephrite. The uses between nephrite and jadeite did not change, as both were used for many of the same things, such as ornaments and decorations. Many of the imperial family had grave markers made from solid jade to eternal reveal their status to the earth.
Today, jade is still seen as a precious gem, but its’ uses have somewhat been limited to those of ornaments or jewelry. With the progression of the knowledge of metal and other technologies, we no longer use jade, but steel the function of knives and axes. Jade remains a beautiful stone, and, in the last century, have been different “grades” or treatments, depending on the shine and gloss determined to describe the stone.
The Summer Olympics of 2008 issued medals fashioned with a jade ring in them. Other non-jewelry uses can be witnessed in the city of Anchorage, Alaska, where a 4000 lb block of jade rests outside of the city’s visitor center.
Although the uses jade have diminished, it is still a sought after precious stone, known for its’ shining green luminescence.