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Your complete guide to Nephrite Jade | RealJade®Co. | Jade Jewelry

| Jackson Hunter

Nephrite jade has been mined for over 400 years, but why exactly is Nephrite Jade so popular? The answer to that question may surprise you!

Where is nephrite jade found?

It comes from several locations across the globe including Russia, China, Canada, and more! The highest quality types of nephrite jades come from HeTian, XinJiang, China. because they have a smooth texture that makes them perfect for making jewelry out of them! There's a wide range of colors of nephrite jade, but the most common colors are green and white. In Russia, nephrite jade is usually found in the form of boulders or cobbles, whereas in China, it's more likely to be located in smaller deposits.

Natural Nephrite Jade Carving Necklace

The nephrite jades from Canada often are more included with black spots and can have a yellow or brown tint to them.

The highest quality kind of nephrite jade comes from He Tian China, the jade is a deep green color and it has a very smooth texture. It is often used to make jewelry, because of its beauty and durability. Nephrite jade is an extremely durable stone, meaning that it will last for a very long time. (Shop Nephrite Jade Jewelry)

In Canada, nephrite jade can be found in British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. The Canadian jade is usually a light green color with black spots( inclusions throughout) and a very smooth texture.

Nephrite jade can also be found in Australia, Brazil, India, and New Zealand. In these countries, it is usually green with black spots throughout the stone or no color at all just white or clear. Nephrite Jade can come from many different locations around the world but there are two main sources of high-quality nephrite jade: Russia and China.

Why is nephrite jade special?

The answer to that question again may surprise you! Nephrite Jade means many things to many cultures around the world. In Chinese culture, nephrite jade represents beauty and purity. The stone is also believed to have healing powers for many ailments such as stomach aches or kidney stones. Even the imperial seal of China The Heirloom Seal of the Realm, also known in English as the Imperial Seal of China, is a Chinese jade seal carved out of Heshibi, a sacred piece of jade. Was made out of the precious gem!

Qing Dynasty's Jade Imperial Seal, Auctioned for record price at Sotheby's

Qing Dynasty's Jade Imperial Seal. Auctioned for record price at Sotheby's auction house.

In Russian culture, nephrite jade is seen as a symbol of masculinity and strength. It's often used in military decorations or jewelry because of its toughness and durability.

What was nephrite jade's use?

Nephrite jades were commonly used in carvings and sculptures due to their tough nature. You can see many examples of ancient Chinese figurines, bowls, ornaments, and more that were carved out of Nephrite Jade! The gemstone was also popular for use in tools and weapons because it holds an edge well and doesn't shatter easily like other stones. In Russia, arrowheads were often made out of nephrite jade!

Nephrite Jade has been used in jewelry making for thousands of years because it has a beautiful color with an excellent luster that will shine like no other gemstone can! It can be carved into anything from rings to earrings, necklaces, and pendants. They are very popular in China where they are considered lucky charms or tokens of good fortune when worn around your neck on a chain necklace!

Some other famous examples include the "Jades of King George," which are a set of ceremonial cups and daggers made from nephrite that was given as a gift to George V from the Emperor of China.

Nephrite jade is also a popular gemstone for use in jewelry making because of its toughness and beautiful color. It can be carved into anything from rings to earrings, necklaces, and pendants. They are very popular in China where they are considered lucky charms or tokens of good fortune when worn around your neck on a chain necklace!

 

The toughness of nephrite jade.

Nephrite jade ranks 6-6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. Which is just above quartz, making it a really tough stone! And to give some reference, a steel knife is 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. And nephrite jade is just as hard as a steel knife. Also, notice how jade is able to be carved into figurines, statues, etc. That is because the tensile strength of nephrite jade is very high. Take diamonds, for example, it's the hardest material on earth but it chips easily. And if it were to be carved into a statue with small details. It would break off. But jade won't because it withstands the carving! Which makes it so unique that there are not many others like it!

                           

The chemical composition of nephrite jade.

Nephrite jade is a type of amphibole mineral that is made up of calcium, magnesium, iron, and water. It has a chemical composition of Ca(Mg, Fe)SiO(OH). This means that it is pretty tough and durable! The gemstone also has a beautiful green color with an excellent luster.

One thing to note about nephrite jade is that it can be slightly different in color depending on where it was mined. For example, the nephrite jades from Canada often are more included with black spots and can have a yellow or brown tint to them. While the nephrite jades from China often have a brighter green color with fewer black spots.

Nephrite jade is made up of mainly three minerals, which are amphibole, pyroxene, and olivine. These minerals all come together to form a tough and durable gemstone that has been used for over 4000 years! And its beautiful green color with excellent luster is what makes it so popular for use in jewelry making and other decorative items. So if you're ever looking to buy some nephrite jade jewelry or carvings, now you know a little more about what to look for!

If you're interested in learning more about nephrite jade and its origins, take a look at this article: [Where is Nephrite Jade Found?]

 

The color of Nephrite Jade

Nephrite jade comes in many different colors. Such as green, white, yellow. And in every shade of those colors too! With the "Mutton Fat" jade being the most expensive and rare kind of jade, and the characteristic of "Mutton Fat" jade is that it's a very white color. Green nephrite jade comes in almost all shades, with the most vibrant green being the most expensive. 

 

What is the value of nephrite jade?

The value of nephrite jade ranges depending on the quality, color and size of the stone. The rarest type of nephrite is a deep green with few black inclusions. This type of nephrite is called "Imperial Jade" and is highly sought after by collectors. Smaller stones are usually less expensive than larger ones. In general, nephrite jade is not as rare as other gemstones but it is still considered to be a valuable mineral.

Owing to its rarity and beauty, nephrite jade has been used for centuries in jewelry, carvings, and other decorative objects. To this day, it remains a very popular stone that is treasured by many and used in modern, fine jewelry very often.

Here at RealJade Co.®, we only carry natural, untreated, unimpregnated jade. Ensuring the quality of our jewelry is our top priority, to make sure what gets into your hands is the best. That's why we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee and lifetime authenticity warranty!

So there you have it! Your complete guide to nephrite jade. Be sure to check out the different types of jades available on the RealJade Co.® and see which one is right for you! Thanks for reading! :)

MOTIFS IN JADE AND MEANING

Artisans carve or construct a wide variety of jewelry and objects from jade. Below are some of the most common motifs and their associations.

  • Shou Tao: Longevity Peach
  • Bat: Happiness ( Fu )
  • Butterfly: Long life and love
  • Dragon: Power, prosperity, and goodness
  • Pi Xiu: Wealth, protection, 
  • Ping An Kou: Lucky, safety, protection. 
  • Ru Yi: As you wish

**  Learn More: Jade & jadeite & nephrite 

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