Jade & its variations

[Guest guest]

Namaskar friend, Thanks for mentioning this. It helps us get closer to

solving the myths and ignorant or deliberate fabrications about Jade and

its lesser-grade off-cuts and variations.

 

Btw, there are now so-called "Jadeite and Nephrite" that are made from

powders, hardeners and artificial coloring agents, manufactured in mass

production out of China today. Buyer beware! If you think you've got a

good buy, it will be best to get it examined by a qualified gemologist.

That is, if your piece doesn't come with a valuation certificate. Of

course, I'm referring to pieces that you might have paid hundreds or

thousands for.

 

Please scroll below, thanx:

 

, Indivar Sivanathan

<indivar wrote:

>

> Om,

>

> More information on jadeite and nephrite:

> My mother worked for a jewelry store specializing in jade. She was

> told many old pieces from China were carved in nephrite, a softer

stone than jadeite with a "soapy" appearance.

 

Another side to ancient Chinese history here: Many olden time pieces

were carved from True Jade and/or Jadeite (harder than nephrite), mostly

for imperial dynasties, their inner sanctum rank and file royals, and

nobility. Anything of lesser quality, the gift-bearer could be

beheaded.

 

Your mother is correct about nephrite being softer than jadeite, and

that nephrite has a soapy appearance. (This can range from milky white,

green to milky green-grey, grey-white, etc)

 

Wealthy merchants and greedy "officials" (judges, magistrates, generals,

fief-chiefs, village chiefs, province governors, etc) of ancient China

were often fooled by unscrupulous dealers as most were themselves

corrupt in the first place, in any case. These dudes were in many

cases, gifted with (bribed when favors were being sought) so-called

"excellent Jade objects of the finest quality". Even when buying, they

demand and expect to pay next to nothing for "the best thing". They

felt it was their right to do so because of their "high position".

Hence, most of these fellas received so-called "Jadeite" (at the time)

but in fact the objects were nephrite instead.

 

Jadeite, considered rarer, was

> only found in Burma. It is harder and polishes to a high gloss finish.

 

You are absolutely correct.

 

 

> Both are found in many colors,

> though I am yet to see nephrite with the translucency jadeite can

> possess.

 

Nephrite will never ("innate nature" or "minenal chemistry") have the

same translucence as Jadeite.

>

> Green and shades of green are prized by the Chinese. I have an apple

> green bracelet carved from a single piece of stone and

 

Apple green, and a whole round bangle (are you sure its a bracelet?)

carved from a single piece of full apple-green colored stone, is

nowadays a Rarity and priceless family heirlooms.

 

was told by my Chinese grandmother that it will protect from harm until

it is broken.

 

Your Chinese Grandmother is correct that it will dispel harm until it is

broken. Upon it breaking, its "duty" is done and its "karmic

obligation" to you is completed at the specific moment of its breaking.

This is considered by centuries of Chinese persons to be tried and

tested.

 

If it does break, its purpose is fulfilled and it no

> longer has that power. She would have

> thrown the piece away,

 

You are right and she is right too about this.

 

but now people will repair the piece and wear

> for cosmetic reasons.

 

Yes they do Unfortunately, though repaired and fashioned to wear as

adornments or for cosmetic purposes, the jadeite will no longer possess

the same "power" as it did prior to its breaking. (Same as the broken

mirror. The shards and broken pieces, no matter how well repaired, will

no longer serve the same purpose before it shattered.)

>

> Jade is found all over the world, and as readers may know, was found

in mayan or incan burial sites.

 

You are right about this too!

>

> Om,

> IS