I was inspired by a soothing leaf shaped Jade pendant, that I resently created into a necklace for myself, to post a writting about Jade.
A little background first. There are two different types of Jade. The first type, “Nephrite” is found in many places around the world including North America (and our British Columbia). Nephrite is the jade originally used in ancient China for rituals and adornment for approximately 9,000 years. It is a silicate of calcium and magnesium with a Mohs hardness of 5.5-6.0. The other type of Jade is “Jadeite” or “New Jade” which is more rare and more highly prized. This Jadeite can be found mainly in Northern Myanmar (Burma), but is also located in Guatemala, Russia, California and Japan. It is slightly harder than Nephrite with a Mohs hardness of 6.5-7.0. Jadeite is a sodium and aluminum rich silicate. Jade is a hard dense stone that can range in color including green, creamy white, yellow, red, brown, purple and grey. The more popular emerald green jewellery jades are usually Jadeite and more highly thought of. You may see some colorless jades dyed into brighter colours, or deceptively colored green to simulate a higher quality stone.
Historically, we know this stone best by its green color and the love of the Chinese. In the Chinese culture, Jade holds a special significance similar to gold and diamonds in the west. Jade was fashioned into tools, ornaments and used in ceremonies. It was known as the “imperial gem”. A creamy white Jade was considered very special. Nephrite was replaced by Jadeite as the imperial gem, once it was imported from Myanmar (Burma) in the 18th century. There are many other cultures that hold this stone close to their hearts. Neolithic people around the world used Jade as tools because of its hard, tough structure and its ability to keep a good edge. The Aztecs, Mayas and North American people of Mexico and Central America carved Jadeite for ornaments. The emerald green color was the most prized by the Aztec people. The Maori people of New Zealand also consider Jade very significant. The South New Zealand Island is known as “The Place of Green Stone”. Jade plays an important role in the Maori culture and it is considered a treasure. Becuase of this, it is protected under a treaty and exploitation of Jade is restricted and monitored closely. Jade is imported to New Zealand (some from BC), for tourist consumption as New Zealand’s Jade is treasured.
On a metaphysical note, Jade is a stone for healing the heart. The energies are strong and steady with a flow of well being and balance. It is good to wear Jade while sleeping as it has harmonious and nourishing vibrations. Jade fosters a wholesome and steady growth of “Qi” (pronounced “chi”), or life-force energy. It is used to attract abundance and prosperity and broadcasts loving kindness to everyone in its presence.
I will treasure my Jade leaf pendant and hold it dear to my heart.