Jade
Jade is an ornamental stone. The term jade is applied to two different rocks that are made up of different silicate minerals. Nephrite Jade consists of the calcium- and magnesium-rich amphibole mineral actinolite (aggregates of which also make up one form of asbestos). Jadeite is a monoclinic pyroxene mineral.
The English word 'jade' is derived from the Spanish term piedra de ijada (first recorded in 1565) or 'loin stone', from its reputed efficacy in curing ailments of the loins and kidneys.
In the long history of the art and culture of the enormous Chinese empire, Jade has always had a very special significance, roughly comparable with that of gold and diamonds in the West. Jade was used not only for the finest objects, but also in grave furnishings for high-ranking members of the imperial family. Today, this gem is still regarded as a symbol of the good, the beautiful and the precious. It embodies the Confucian virtues of wisdom, justice, compassion, modesty and courage, yet it also symbolises female-eroticism.
Nephrite Jade in New Zealand is known as Pounamu in the Māori language, and is highly valued, playing an important role in Māori culture. It is considered a taonga, or treasure, and therefore protected under the Treaty of Waitangi, and the exploitation of it is restricted and closely monitored.
Weapons and ornaments were made of it; in particular the 'mere' (short club), and the Hei-tiki (neck pendant). These were believed to have their own mana, handed down as valuable heirlooms, and often given as gifts to seal important agreements. With no metal tools, it was also used for a range of tools such as adzes.
Jade is the official gemstone of British Columbia, where it is found in large deposits. It is also the official gemstone of the state of Alaska. A two ton block of Jade sits outside the Anchorage Visitor’s Center in downtown Anchorage, Alaska. Jade is also the state gemstone of Wyoming.
Many minerals are sold as Jade. Some of these are: serpentine (also bowenite), carnelian, aventurine quartz, glass, grossularite, Vesuvianite, soapstone (and other steatites such as shoushan stone) and recently, Australian chrysoprase. "Korean Jade," "Suzhou Jade," "Styrian Jade," "Olive Jade", and "New Jade" are all really serpentine; "Transvaal Jade" or "African Jade" is grossularite; "Peace Jade" is a mixture of serpentine, stichtite, and quartz; "Malaysia Jade" is dyed quartz; "Mountain Jade" is dyed dolomite marble.
Noble House Trading Company does not deal in, offer for sale, condone, or approve of "false Jade" or mislabeled Jade. All of the Jade you find on our website has been certified either by the artist or a gemological institute as being exactly what it is purported to be.
NOTE: Most of the designs in our bone section can be duplicated in Jade. Our stock Jade section will be up soon. Until then, please contact us if you would like one of the stock bone designs in Jade.
Australian Black Nephrite Jade
British Columbian Nephrite Jade
Zeifa
New Zealand Nephrite Jade (Pounamu)
Caleb Ross
George Potaka
Gordon Wells
Jade is an ornamental stone. The term jade is applied to two different rocks that are made up of different silicate minerals. Nephrite Jade consists of the calcium- and magnesium-rich amphibole mineral actinolite (aggregates of which also make up one form of asbestos). Jadeite is a monoclinic pyroxene mineral.
The English word 'jade' is derived from the Spanish term piedra de ijada (first recorded in 1565) or 'loin stone', from its reputed efficacy in curing ailments of the loins and kidneys.
In the long history of the art and culture of the enormous Chinese empire, Jade has always had a very special significance, roughly comparable with that of gold and diamonds in the West. Jade was used not only for the finest objects, but also in grave furnishings for high-ranking members of the imperial family. Today, this gem is still regarded as a symbol of the good, the beautiful and the precious. It embodies the Confucian virtues of wisdom, justice, compassion, modesty and courage, yet it also symbolises female-eroticism.
Nephrite Jade in New Zealand is known as Pounamu in the Māori language, and is highly valued, playing an important role in Māori culture. It is considered a taonga, or treasure, and therefore protected under the Treaty of Waitangi, and the exploitation of it is restricted and closely monitored.
Weapons and ornaments were made of it; in particular the 'mere' (short club), and the Hei-tiki (neck pendant). These were believed to have their own mana, handed down as valuable heirlooms, and often given as gifts to seal important agreements. With no metal tools, it was also used for a range of tools such as adzes.
Jade is the official gemstone of British Columbia, where it is found in large deposits. It is also the official gemstone of the state of Alaska. A two ton block of Jade sits outside the Anchorage Visitor’s Center in downtown Anchorage, Alaska. Jade is also the state gemstone of Wyoming.
Many minerals are sold as Jade. Some of these are: serpentine (also bowenite), carnelian, aventurine quartz, glass, grossularite, Vesuvianite, soapstone (and other steatites such as shoushan stone) and recently, Australian chrysoprase. "Korean Jade," "Suzhou Jade," "Styrian Jade," "Olive Jade", and "New Jade" are all really serpentine; "Transvaal Jade" or "African Jade" is grossularite; "Peace Jade" is a mixture of serpentine, stichtite, and quartz; "Malaysia Jade" is dyed quartz; "Mountain Jade" is dyed dolomite marble.
Noble House Trading Company does not deal in, offer for sale, condone, or approve of "false Jade" or mislabeled Jade. All of the Jade you find on our website has been certified either by the artist or a gemological institute as being exactly what it is purported to be.
NOTE: Most of the designs in our bone section can be duplicated in Jade. Our stock Jade section will be up soon. Until then, please contact us if you would like one of the stock bone designs in Jade.
Australian Black Nephrite Jade
British Columbian Nephrite Jade
Zeifa
New Zealand Nephrite Jade (Pounamu)
Caleb Ross
George Potaka
Gordon Wells