Mauve Pink

Jade – The Greenstone

One of the semi precious stones is Jade.It gets its name from the Spanish phrase “piedra de ijada” which means loin stone.Jade is believed to cure kidney and loin related disases, and hence the name.Infact, the term “nephrite” in relation to kidneys, is derieved from the name of one of the types of jade, that was used to cure kidney ailments.Green is the usual color of Jade.It is, therefore, also known as “Greenstone” in certain countries.Jade is called “yu” by the Chinese, which means, royal stone.Though it is primarily found in green color, jade of creamy white, black, gray, orange, yellow, lavender, mauve-pink and emerald green colors are also found.

Chemically, we find 2 varieties of jade.Nephrite is the first variety and jadeite, the second.Both resemble each other when it comes to  appearance, hardness, etc.They differ in terms of chemical composition.Nephrite is formed from chemicals of calcium, magnesium and iron whereas, jadeite is formed from chemcials of sodium and aluminium.A brilliant green color usually characterizes nephrite.Jadeite is more expensive as it is rarer than nephrite.Once polished, nephrite courts a resinous surface, whereas jadeite surfaces tend to shine like mirror.

Large amount of jade deposits are found in China, New Zealand, Russia, Canada, Gautemala and the Swiss Alps.Best quality of jade stones come from Burma.The final quality and color of a raw jade piece can be known only after processing and cutting; hence jade traders need to be careful when buying unprocessed jade.It is near impossible to predict the end product when buying raw jade.The actual quality and the luster of the final product can be understood only once the polishing and processing work finishes.

Raw jade is processed using carbonundum and diamond powder.Quartz, garnet sand, bamboo or ground jade can be used to work raw jade, as the hardness of jade varies between 5.0 to 7.0 Mohs hardness.It was used in the olden days as a material for making weapons and tools.With time, sculptures and cult figures were being carved from jade.

The Chinese royal family has been particularly partial to the use of Jade in jewelry and other royal finery.The tribal’s of the Americas would regard jade higher than gold.Egyptians believed jade to be a stone of love.Regardless of the civilization, jade is perceived as a protective stone.Nowadays, the different jewellery make use of Jade as one of the various precious stones engraved inside for providing better color and contrast features.

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