There are many stones on the market sold as jade today, perhaps because the word "jade" in Chinese simply means stone. For instance, African jade is not a jade at all, but a type of green grossular garnet mined in South Africa. The story of butter jade is the same. It is actually a type of African jade, which is really a type of grossular garnet. Ching hai jade is a trade name for a green and white stone comprised of dolomite, fuchsite and other minerals. It derives its name from Ching Hai, a Northeastern province of China, where it is mined. Mountain jade is a high-grade dolomite marble from Asia, permanently died into a variety of vibrant colors to use in jewelry. New jade is actually serpentine. Although there are red and yellow jades that are considered true jades, much of the stones sold as red jade and yellow jade today are actually types of serpentine.
This is only a small example of stones that are called jade but are not the "real McCoy." The list is fairly long. The only two stones that are considered true jade are nephrite and jadeite.
Jade has been prized in the Orient for thousands of years. It has a long history as a healing stone. Jade is thought to foster tolerance, enhance creativity, provide wisdom, and improve mental dexterity. It is said to ward off negative thoughts, balance emotions, promote harmony, and improve physical prowess. Jade is reputed to have rejuvenating power, especially after an illness or stress. Jade is associated with the Zodiac signs of Virgo, and it is one of the birthstones for the month of March. Jade is given as a gift for the 12th, 30th, and 35th years of marriage.
The follwoing two articles about jadeite and nephrite are written by Stephanie Pflumm.
This is not a simple tale to tell. The story of Jade is the story of two very different, yet quite similar gemstones. So similar, that it took over 5,000 years to realize our error.
For centuries Nephrite and Jadeite were considered to be the same stone, Jade. Not until 1863, when a French mineralogist demonstrated the chemical differences between the two gems, was any distinction made.
Both are aluminum silicates; Nephrite contains calcium magnesium and Jadeite includes sodium. Varying amounts of iron are present in both stones. The term Jade, comes from a spanish phrase "piedra de hijada", which means "stone of the loins" and was believed to be excellent medicine for the kidneys.
In an effort to simplify the information (I learned a lot researching this geological puzzle), we'll review Nephrite and Jadeite in separate articles. Jadeite in the next issue, and the more ancient Nephrite in this article.
Nephrite Jade was the original Jade so honored and treasured by the Chinese. However, Nephrite's ancient history is not limited to the Chinese culture. All over the world this extremely tough, yet soft mineral was popular as a material for fashioning tools.
The huge numbers of axes, knives and other instruments found worldwide, carved from this gemstone, has given it the nickname Axe-stone.Nephrite comes from a Greek word, nephros, which, coincidentally, means kidney. While this gemstone rarely forms in a crystal structure, under a microscope, it becomes obvious that the composition is actually that of millions of intertwined monoclinic crystals. These crystals are exactly the same as the Actinolite (some references say that Nephrite is Actinolite), except they have been pressed into a compact, fibrous mass. A few theories conjecture that the pressure needed to create this type of formation came from glaciers moving through Europe and around the world following the Ice Age.
The gemstone forms in huge blocks, and is found frequently as boulders and pebbles in rivers. The largest polish piece of Nephrite is in the Mineral Gallery of the British Museum of Natural History and weighs 1,156 pounds! Raw pieces found in the wild can easily weigh 1,000 pounds before cutting.
Iron is the major influence of color in Nephrite Jades. Normally the gem is found in varying shades of green, from a grayish green to the most sought after emerald greens. Occasionally it will be found in yellows, browns and in rare instances, black or white. It is often found with white streaks of Magnesite across the surface and can contain minute amounts of lime and soda.
Nephrite is found in China, Canada, US, the Alps, Taiwan, Russia, India, Germany and New Zealand. The Moari tribes of New Zealand carved Hei Tiki from the gem. These ancestral carvings were believed to protect them from disease and attack and were used in special ceremonies.
Nephrite is the type of Jade used in ancient Chinese carvings and medicine. They believed this gem would preserve the physical body after death. One emperor's tomb contained a whole suit constructed of Jade. It was also valued as a stone of love and virtue, often considered a symbol of status. The rare whites were the most treasured of the Nephrite colors.
When Jadeite was discovered in nearby Burma during the mid 1700's, the Chinese dismissed it as an inferior stone, often lacking the darker greens found in Nephrite. They would refer to it as that "kingfisher stone".
Though Nephrite Jades was used extensively as a tool by early Europeans, it was not until the Portuguese and Marco Polo began opening trade routes, that it became a decorative gem outside China.
The history of Jade as a power stone is as muddled as its geological history. Only two of my personal metaphysical references made any distinction between Nephrite and Jadeite (Melody and Maya Heath). With the help of a Nephrite specimen I've been carrying this week, I hope that I've manage to cull out the information that is specific to this gemstone.
Information from the Chinese on Nephrite's power is actually very reliable, since this was the stone they held in high esteem for several millennia. A butterfly carved from Jade (Nephrite) was often worn to attract love, it was also a common engagement gift from a man to a woman. Men would present a statue of two men carved from the stone to bond their friendship.
Dishes for food and drink were often carved from Jade. The gem was believed to prolong life and that substances contained in those vessels would absorb that energy. Talismans of bats, storks, and bears were carved to promote a healthier, longer life.
You can also utilize this life-giving energy in protective medicine. Nephrite will help you maintain alertness, so that you can avoid accidents caused by inattention. Or wear one in a Spirit Pouch for assistance from your ancestors (as the Maori did) when needed. The iron inclusions make this a wonderful stone for balancing and aligning your base Chakra and opening your heart Chakra.
Are you stuck in a tense, uncompromising situation at work or home? Use a Nephrite in meditation to help find common ground for both parties. This stone will also promote a more unified environment so you may accomplish compromise. If your life is a series of one disaster after another, this Jade can assist in removing harmful energies and increasing beneficial ones. It is also great for balancing male/female energies and for creating more balance in your relationship. Use a Nephrite Jade with other stones or store one with your magickal tools. It has an extremely powerful "blessing" energy, enhancing other gems, crystals and objects that come in contact. If you do healing work, you may want to keep a Nephrite Jade around for a quick meditation after each session. The stone provides an wonderful boost of energy that will revive you.
Nephrite has long been associated with healthy kidneys and other internal organs. It can also provide rejuvenating energies to give you new strength after a long illness or emotional trauma. The gem may increase white blood cells to help fight off dangerous organisms that attack your body. It will regulate your metabolism and provides women with relief from PMS, childbirth, and physical violence against our sexuality. If you have been a victim of rape or domestic violence, the loving energies of this stone will not only assist you in recovering from the emotional trauma, but will prevent the onset of traumatic illnesses that stress can cause.
This information was taken from ORE Features, a publication written by Stephanie Pflumm, reprinted with permission.
In the last issue, you learned that Jade is actually two stones, Nephrite and Jadeite. While it is true these are different stones, there are some similar geological characteristics and uses between them.
Both exhibit the same soft texture, with steel like strength. Both are aluminum silicates. Both are made up of intertwined crystals that have been smashed together under great pressures. Both were used extensively by our ancestors as tools and decorations. In some locations, the two minerals are found side by side. All these similarities led to centuries of confusion over Nephrite and Jadeite.
Unfortunately, before geology became a science, there was a great deal misinformation about gemstones and crystals. Many green gemstones were immediately classified as Emeralds, even though they were actually Peridot, Jasper, Moldavite and Jade. The Emerald Buddha in Wat Phra Kaeo in Bangkok, in reality, is constructed of a beautiful Imperial Jadeite. Which by coincidence contains the same traces of chromium that give Emerald its green. Today, geologists classify Nephrite Jades in the amphibole mineral group and Jadeite is considered a pyroxene. While Jadeite begins as a aluminum silicate, like Nephrite; unlike Nephrite it also contains traces of lime, soda and potash. Sometimes, though, not often, Jadeite will grow in long prismatic crystals. Nephrite never crystalizes.
Jadeite occurs in a wider range of colors than Nephrite. Lavenders, rosy reds, white and a full cast of greens are fairly common in Jadeite. The rarest are the Imperial Jades that contain traces of chromium. Some white specimens are occasionally zoned with this special Jadeite. Small deposits of the stone can be found around the world. Near Lake Geneva in Switzerland, Jadeite is found not far from deposits of Nephrite. Jadeite has been found by itself in other areas of the Swiss Alps, rounded pebbles are often picked up along Lake Neuchatel. In Eastern Turkestan, Jadeite and Nephrite deposits have been discovered interwoven together.
The highest quality stones are found in Mexico, throughout South America and in Burma. Huge boulders of Jadeite are just lifted out of the Uru River in Burma. Even after centuries of mining, the supply there seems inexhaustible. Red Jadeite, a very rare and highly sought after stone, only occurs in this region. Jadeite buried in thick layers of iron rich red clay has absorbed the iron and color from the surrounding soil, creating an extremely unusual stone.
Purchasing Jadeite is a tricky business. Jade dealers have to bid on the giant boulders, almost sight unseen. Normally, only a tiny window is carved into the stone, giving the buyer a very small glimpse into what they are getting. Not until they prepare the stone for market, will they really know what they have bought.
In the Western hemisphere Jadeite was a highly honored stone. Besides being worked into axes and other tools, it was also used for ceremonial masks, religious carvings and even collected as a tax.
The Olmecs, Mayans, Toltecs and Aztecs all left incredible artifacts carved from this stone. Right now, in Washington DC, The Museo de Arte de las Americas is featuring an exhibit called the Gold, Jade Forests. The exhibit includes 142 Precolumbian artifacts of Jade, Gold and more.
Jade has a rich spiritual history, however, none of the older records make any distinction between Jadeite and Nephrite. I have done my best to sort out the differences.
In the Americas, Jadeite was considered a stone of magic by the Mayans and Aztecs. It would bring the protection of the spirits when needed. The stone was also utilized in rituals to attract wealth and fortune. Jadeite statues of Mayan and Aztec Gods for abundance and protection were common.
Jadeite itself, has a very calming gentle nature. Green Jadeite vibrates in harmony with the Heart Chakra unlike any other stone. Giving you a pleasing sense of calm and acceptance.
Colors in the pink to lavenders are as effective as Rose Quartz in opening your heart and allowing you to express unconditional love. If you find you are distracted by the high vibrations of most Quartz, you may discover that Jadeite is more suited to you. You can use the white Jadeite as a substitute for clear or milky Quartz.
Around the office, you can use Jadeite to bring together diverse individuals and get them working towards a common goal. Utilize these same unifying energies to improve your relationships. I keep an Imperial Jadeite in my cash box when I travel with the ORE Store. So far, I am pleased with the results.
The darkest greens and black Jadeite (aka Chloromelanite) are excellent for opening the Third Eye and Crown Chakra. They help you see the unlimited love and gifting of the Universe, improve your intelligence and perception and aid you in making correct choices.
Men will definitely want to carry Jadeite for better health. It aids with muscle cramps, stabilizes muscle tissues and may be very effective at treating male reproductive disorders.
Use the stone to help broken bones or stitches mend. Jadeite's energies are wonderful for recreating bonds that have been broken, both physical and mental. Use it to relieve pain in your legs and hips.
This information was taken from ORE Features, a publication written by Stephanie Pflumm, reprinted with permission.
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