The Apple of Our Eye: Jade

Exotic, opulent and eye-catching, jade has been a prized gemstone of the noble for hundreds of years. In China and South America, it has played a rich part in cultural history, and since, jade jewelry and decorations can be found all over the world. 

Jade Dagger (Khanjar) with Sheath, Metropolitan Museum of Art 

The History of Jade 

The use of jade can be traced back thousands of years to early Maori and Mayan society, where it was fashioned into tools and weapons. The sturdy consistency of the stone made for instruments that lasted, and jade tools only fell out of favor because of advances in the field of metalworking. 

In China & Asia

Once introduced to the Chinese, they took to carving the stone with intricate designs, creating jewelry and ornamental statues. 

In China, jade is associated with clarity of the mind and purity of the spirit, as well as good fortune, prolonged life and prosperity. An incredibly symbolic stone in Chinese culture, jade pieces often take the forms of animals, or the ‘Bi’, a rounded shape with a hole in the middle (yes, think doughnut) that represents Heaven. Jade was held in such high regard that it was customary to bury loved ones with it to protect them in the afterlife. Similar traditions can be found in Maori cultures, where jade statues and decorative pendants were passed down and buried with the last remaining male member of the family. 

In South America

In South America, jade was used for its perceived medicinal value. In fact, that is where jade got its name! Believed to help with kidney problems, it was held to one’s side, and thus later called ‘Stone of the Pain in the Side.’ Apart from its usage as a medicine, jade was highly sought after and considered a noble gem, often worn as a status symbol. The desire to acquire jade in South America made it quite hard to find. 

What is Jade?

Nowadays, jade is still highly sought after, and its boom in popularity has made it accessible worldwide. People from many walks of life can be seen sporting the brilliant green stone as bangles, pendants, earrings and rings, as well as artistic pieces and home decor. But what exactly is jade? How do you know which jade piece is best for you?

There are two different kinds of jade: Nephrite and Jadeite. Nephrite has a softer surface, but tougher and more resistant to fracture, hence its history of use in tools. Nephrite was the most common kind of jade, while jadeite was harder to find and often used decoratively. On the Mohs hardness scale, Nephrite ranges from 6-6.5, and Jadeite 6.5-7. 

Nephrite and jadeite can be visually similar, both smooth, matte stones that work best as cabochon pieces. You have most likely seen it in shades of green, but jade comes in all kinds of colors. Nephrite typically appears in hues of grey and green, while jadeite can come in brown, white, yellow, and even purple! Certain shades of jade, such as ‘Lavender,’ a soft pastel purple, and ‘Apple Jade,’ a bright, clear green, are more sought after for their uniqueness. 

Generally, the more evenly distributed the color is within the stone and the more saturated the color, the higher the deemed quality. But even ‘imperfections’ in the stone can make it more desirable; veining, or different colored patterns across the stone appear in both Nephrite and Jadeite, and can make a piece unique and one-of-a-kind.

Where is Jade Found? 

Jadeite is considered to be rarer than nephrite, but both stones can be found all over the world. Much of the jade jewelry you see today comes from Myanmar and Guatemala, but jade has been mined in Australia, Canada, Russia, China and even in the United States. 

Today, all varieties of jade are popular, and with so many options, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 

Shop our jade collection here