About Jade

© JadeCollection. Design: WebPowerPros

Guatemala Jade For half a century, scholars have searched in vain for the source of the jade that the early civilizations of the Americas prized above all else and fashioned into precious objects of worship, trade and adornment. The searchers found some clues to the source of jadeite, as the precious rock is known, for the Olmecs and Mayas. But no lost mines came to light. In 2002,  scientists exploring the wilds of Guatemala say they have found the mother lode -- a mountainous region roughly the size of Rhode Island strewn with huge jade boulders, other rocky treasures and signs of ancient mining. It was discovered after a hurricane tore through the landscape and exposed the veins of jade, some of which turned up in stores, arousing the curiosity of scientists. The find includes large outcroppings of blue jade, the gemstone of the Olmecs, the mysterious people who created the first complex culture in pre- Columbian Mesoamerica, the region that encompasses much of Mexico and Central America. It also includes an ancient mile-high road of stone that runs for miles through the densely forested region. Scientists say, the find suggests that the Olmecs, who flourished on the southern Gulf Coast of Mexico, exerted wide influence in the Guatemalan highlands as well. All told, they add, the Guatemalan lode was worked for millenniums, compared with centuries for the China one. Early people of the Americas considered jade more valuable than gold and silver. The Olmecs, the great sculptors of the pre-Columbian era, carved jade into delicate human forms and scary masks. Maya kings and other royalty often went to their graves with jade suits, rings and necklaces. The living had their teeth inlaid with the colored gems. As "quetzal" jade, bright green jadeitite from Guatemala was treasured by Mesoamerican cultures, and as "kingfisher" jade, vivid green rocks from China became the preferred stone of post-1800 Chinese imperial scholars and rulers. China and Guatemala are the principal sources of modern gem jadeitite, and Canada of modern lapidary nephrite. Nephrite jade was used mostly in pre-1800 China as well as in New Zealand, the Pacific Coast and Atlantic Coasts of North America, Neolithic Europe, and south-east Asia. In addition to Mesoamerica, jadeite was used by Neolithic Japanese and European cultures. Today, Guatemala produces jadeite in a variety of colours, ranging from soft translucent lilac, blue, green, yellow, and black. It is also the source of new colours, including "rainbow jade" and the unique "Galactic Gold," a black jadeite with natural incrustations of gold, silver and platinum. China Jade Jade is the 12th, 30th and 35th Wedding Anniversary Gemstone. In the West, Jade is considered to be nature's tranquilizer, a stone which helps us to be more claim and relaxed. Opens intuitive and psychic abilities. In Chinese, Feng Shui believed jade to have the power to bring you good luck, ward off evil spirits and keep demons away .   Jade and the land of China Jade has been adored and revered by the Chinese people since time ancient. From the down of civilization, in spite of the formidable that have fallen upon the Chinese, both sentiment toward jade and the tradition of jade artistry have endured the passage of time and remained undiminished in strength.   NEPHRITE & JADEITE   Nephrite Chemically speaking a silicate of calcium and magnesium, nephrite belongs to the amphibole group of minerals. Throughout the ages, nephrites has been frequently employed as a working material. Nephritic appears in numerous colors, snowy white, bluish white, yellowish hue, brown, gray, black, green, dark green. Commonly use in jade carving art.   Jadeite A silicate of sodium and aluminum, jadeite is classed as a pyroxene. Although in class different from nephrite, jadeite shares many characteristics with it, namely a high degree of hardness and firmness, and a luster that lends an appearance of transparency. Additionally, variations is iron content result in brownish-red, dark green, or lavender hues. Presence of minute amounts of chromium yields emerald green. Commonly use in jewelry. The trade name jadite is sometimes applied to translucent or opaque green glass.     Care of Jade Stone Use mild soap and warm water is the easiest and safest cleaning solution. Use soft towel to dry. Better to take if off when you are cooking or cleaning. Avoid chemical cleaners at all costs.  

Jade, or Jadeite, to be precise, has long been revered by Asians as symbol of good luck, good health, and power to resist evil spirit. .