Jade 玉石

Deposit sites: China, Burma, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Tibet, U.S.A., Guatemala, Canada,Taiwan, Russia, and Australia.

Variety/Species: Jadeite/ Nephrite jade

Hardness: 6, 6.5~7

Zodiacal sign: Capricorn, Pisces, Cancer, Aries, Gemini, Virgo, Leo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius

Color scheme: light to dark green, greenish white, yellowish, gray, black

Gemstone of the month: May, 30th Wedding Anniversary

The name jade includes two distinct minerals, nephrite and jadeite, which are differing from one another in weight, hardness, and color range. Jade amulets of many different forms are popular with the Chinese. Jade, originally named from the Spanish, “piedra de hijada” meaning “hip stone,” used to describe the green stone carved by Indians in Central America.

Jade, “jewel of heaven” was treasured for thousands of years by the Chinese for its spiritual and physical beauty. It brings peace, calm and stabilizing effects on the body, courage, clarity and tranquility of the mind. To the Chinese, jade was a symbol of life, had protective powers, and stood for the essence of purity. The Chinese have made jade an inseparable part of their art and culture. Jade and China, in fact, have become almost synonymous. The simple feel of polished jade –cool and smooth to the touch — makes it seem magical.