Jade

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Jade is an ancient stone that has historically been used to attract love. Carved into a butterfly, in China it is a powerful symbol used to draw love.

Jade has been known for more than 7000 years. The name jade goes back to the time of the Spanish conquest of Central and South America and derives from "piedra de ijada," hip stone, as it was seen as a protection against and cure for kidney diseases. Because of its beneficial effect on the kidneys, the stone was also known as "lapis nephriticus". It wasn't until 1863 that mineralogists in France discovered that jade consists of two separate, distinct minerals, jadeite and nephrite. Jadeite is very tough and resistant because of its tight growth of tiny interlocking grains. Nephrite, a variety of the mineral actinolite, is even tougher, due to its composition of fibrous crystals inter-twinned in a tough compact mass.

The toughness of jade is remarkable. It has strength greater than steel and was put to work by many early civilizations for axes, knives and weapons. It was only later that jade became a symbolic stone used in ornaments and other religious artifacts.

Today jade is highly valued for its beauty. Its many colors are appreciated, but it is the emerald green color of jadeite that is highly sought after by collectors. As a jewelry stone jade is used for pendants, necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings.

The Jade zodiac, myth & legend

In the pre-Columbian period, the Mayas, Aztecs and Olmecs of Central America honored and esteemed jade more highly than gold. New Zealand's Maoris began carving weapons and cult instruments from native jade in early times, a tradition which has continued to the present day. In ancient Egypt, jade was admired as the stone of love, inner peace, harmony and balance.

As early as 3000 B.C. jade was known in China as "yu", the "royal gem". In the long history of the art and culture of the Chinese empire, jade has always had a very special significance, 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. Today, too, this gem is regarded as a symbol of the good, the beautiful and the precious. It embodies the Confucian virtues of wisdom, justice, compassion, modesty and courage, yet it also symbolizes the female-erotic.

Jade can be used to bring money into your life. Create a positive attitude towards money and visualize yourself using money creatively and productively while holding the stone in your power hand. When making an important business decision, use the prosperous energies of jade by holding it while contemplating your course of action. Jade strengthens your mental faculties and assists in clear reasoning.

Jade is also a protective stone, guarding against accidents and misfortune. Place a piece of jade between two purple candles and let the candles burn for a short while. Then carry the jade with you as a protection amulet.

Symbol of successful love

A butterfly carved from jade holds a special romantic significance. Ancient Chinese legend tells of a youth who wandered into the garden of a wealthy mandarin in pursuit of a multi-colored butterfly. Instead of being punished for trespassing, his visit led to marriage with the mandarin's daughter.

In Antiquity, as well as in the Middle Ages people believed that the cosmos is reflected in gemstones. Jade is assigned to the planets Jupiter and Pluto. The esoteric movement revived the ancient belief and the gem industry made it another marketing tool to promote certain gems.

The healing powers of gems remain a controversial issue, but are mentioned for centuries by healers, shamans and medicine men. Whether it's a fact or a placebo effect doesn't matter, if it helps. The safest approach is to wear the gemstone in skin contact to the troubled part of the body. Jade is said ever since to be of help for kidney diseases.

Today, a jade butterfly symbolizes successful love.

Healing properties of Jade

The soothing green color of jade makes it a wonderful healing stone. It helps the body in self-healing while working through underlying, non-physical reasons for a precipitation for disease. It is particularly helpful for kidney, heart and stomach complaints.

Jade gemology

Color

In both minerals, the way the color is distributed varies a great deal. Only in the very finest jade is the color evenly distributed. In the West, 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.

Clarity

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.

Species: Jadeite/Nephrite

Color: Green, also other colors

Chemical composition: NaAlSi2O6 sodium aluminum silicate/ Ca2(Mg,Fe)5(Si4O11)2(OH)2 basic calcium magnesium iron silicate

Crystal system: Monoclinic, intergrown, grainy aggregate/ fine fibrous aggregate

Hardness: 6.5 - 7 (Mohs scale)

Specific gravity: 3.30 - 3.38/ 2.90 - 3.03

Refractive index: 1.652 - 1.688/ 1.600 - 1.627

Birefringence: 0.020/ -0.027, often none

Color of streak: White

Absorption spectrum: Green jade: 691, 655, 630, 495, 450, 437, 433/ 689, 509, 490, 460

Fluorescence: Greenish jade: very weak; whitish glimmer/ None

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