| Jade choker set |
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| Jade necklace |
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| Jade necklace and bracelet |
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| Jade and cats eye |
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| Jade and pearl set |
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| Jade and bead set |
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| Jade disc necklace £6.99 |
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| Silver jade earrings |
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| Jade cluster ring |
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| Jade and shell ring |
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| Jade and green shell jewellery set |
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Should you have any enquiries about any of these items of amethyst jewellery please by e-mail.
The name jade is used to describe two minerals of very similar physical appearance and properties but with significantly different chemical make-ups. These two minerals are jadeite also known as Chinese jade and nephrite also known as New Zealand jade. Both of these minerals are legitimately known as jade, however a number of other gemstones are inaccurately labelled jade. These include Transvaal or south African jade which is really a variety of garnet, Styrian jade which is a trade name for the mineral pseudophile and Indian jade which is the sometime trade name for aventurine.
Though found in a wide variety of colours it is the translucent green variety of jadeite that is the most sought after and valuable of jades. Though known as Chinese jade the principle source of jadeite is Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), though it is also found in China, Japan and other parts of South East Asia as well as Canada California and Russia. Smaller quantities are also found elsewhere. Jadeite is known as Chinese jade since it has been highly valued and worked with exquisit craftsmanship for many centuries in that country.
Nephrite is more common variety of jade and is found in large quantities in New Zealand and in significant quantities in Australia, Brazil, China, Canada, Alaska and Poland. Smaller deposits exist elsewhere in the world.
Jade has a long history of use as a gemstone both in jewellery and in carving. The oldest use of jade for jewellery was in China. In prehistoric China as in many prehistoric communities jade was used for making weapons and tools owing to its tough nature. Jade axe heads and jade knives have been found in China from 3000 B.C and it was not long before the Chinese started using jade ornamentally for items of jewellery. Prehistoric finds from China show jade was also being used in religious ceremonies. The Chinese attached great significance to the shape of jade ornaments and jewellery and to the their colouring. By 1134 A.D jade was so entranced in Chinese spiritual belief that the emperor appointed a special “keeper” of jade in his palace. Many fine carved jade pieces exist from this period and the Chinese became experts at distinguishing different grades of jade according to their colouring. Most of the jade used in very early Chinese carvings and jewellery was nephrite jade, however after a steady supply of jadeite jade from upper Burma was established about 1750 A.D jadeite became the preferred jade of the Chinese. The love of the Chinese for jade in general and jadeite in particular together with their long association with the material has led to jadeite frequently being referred to as Chinese jade even though only small deposits of jadeite have ever been found in China itself. No country prises jade as highly as China where it is considered the most significant of all gemstones. Top quality flawless jade items are considered to be of more value than diamonds. In the 1950’s in an American auction house a jade necklace of plain jade beads sold for £20,000. Jade of this quality should quite clearly be considered as a precious gem stone. However there are many other grades of jade that fall in to the category of semi precious gem stones and that are therefore sufficiently cheap to be used for jade necklaces and bracelets for costume or fashion jewellery.
Although the Chinese have used jade for items of jewellery such as necklaces bracelets and rings it is undoubtedly their creation of jade carvings that is the most remarkable use of jade. The Chinese have developed great skill at carving all manner of gem stones, however most of their best work has always been reserved for jade work.
Jade is an exceptionally tough material and incredibly difficult to carve, but the Chinese have mastered the patient art of carving jade to incredible effect. Ornaments such as snuff bottles and vases, incense holders and paper weights often carved with incredibly intricate fantastical dragons or lotus leaf designs cut into them are among the many items that have been carved from this stone. Perhaps one of the finest examples of jade work however is a book in which the pages are made of thin jade with the words carved out in gold.
The Chinese have adopted jadeite jade as a national symbol.
Outside of China the ancient use of jade for jewellery and ornaments is known for both the Mayan and Aztec cultures. A small Mayan statue made of jade is dated to 100 B.C. A great many small jade statues have been found in ancient Mexican tombs. The Aztecs used jade both for weapons and for jewellery and ornaments. The imperial robe of Montezuma had an elaborate fastening buckle made out of jade. The ancient use of jade in Mexico is additionally interesting since there is no local source for stone.
In New Zealand nephrite jade was used by the Maoris for axe heads from around 1500 A.D. Jade was also used for items of jewellery. The most interesting example of Maori jade jewellery were the hei-tiki, a sort of necklace or pendant. These jade necklaces were widely worn in memory of dead friends or relatives. A representation of a face or even a limb, neck or body was shown on the jade pendant hanging from the necklace. New Zealand is now one of the main sources of nephrite used in jade necklaces and bracelets. The importance of nephrite jade in New Zealand culture has led to its adoption as a national symbol, in much the same way that jadeite has been adopted by the Chinese.
There are no very early examples of jade necklaces, bracelets or other items of jade jewellery in Europe because jade was not known in Europe as a gem stone until brought back from South America by the Spanish at the time of the conquistadors. Even then jade did not become a common stone for necklaces and bracelets e.t.c until the nineteenth century. Since then its popularity as a gemstone has waxed and waned according to fashion and taste. Today it is popular stone for costume and fashion jewellery and many jade necklaces and bracelets abound.
Though jade exists naturally in a wide variety of colours it is most commonly used in various shades of green. Jade can compliment many other stones well in necklaces and bracelets. Equally necklaces and bracelets may be made solely of jade.
Jade gets it’s name from the corruption of the Spanish ‘piedra da ijada’ meaning hip stone. This is because when jade was first introduced to Europe from South America by the Spanish conquistadors it was believed to offer protection against and be a cure for kidney diseases.
The name jadeite is derived from jade. The name for this type of jade dates from 1863 when the chemical differences in the two varieties of jade were first identified. Nephrite is named from the Greek for kidney and is a reference to the early belief in jade as a protective amulet for that part of the anatomy.
Imperial jade is a type of jade from Myanmar that has been dyed emerald green with chrome. It is considered the most desirable of jades.
Jade albite is a variety of jadeite that has dark green spots. Again this jade originates in Myanmar.
Yunan jade is a trade name for jade albite. The word yuman comes from the Chinese name for jade ‘yu’ which also means ‘precious stone’. There is a Chinese province named Yunnan because jade is found there. The area of upper Burma where jade is largely found is known by the Chinese as ‘Yuthian’ meaning the jade country.
The Maori name for jade is ‘pounamu’ and is apparently a portmanteau of the Maori word for stone ‘pou’ and the Tahitian word for green ‘namu’.
A number of gemstones are sold under the name jade somewhat inaccurately.
For instance Indian jade is a trade name for aventurine, while South African or Transvaal jade is really a variety of garnet.
A potted history of jade in jewellery.
The name jade and various named varieties.