Dahl Jewelers, Woodbridge, VA
Nephrite Jade
Jade – The very word itself seems to have magic. It conjures fantastic images of exotic temples and beautiful Oriental women bedecked in glowing green jewelry. This image of jade, while not altogether accurate is not completely false either.
In reality, there are two types of jade—jadeite jade and nephrite jade. Of these, nephrite jade is the one that has been used in China from time immortal. Although China is the largest user of nephrite jade, it certainly is not the only culture that esteemed this “most virtuous of stones.”
The ancient Egyptians occasionally obtained jade for their jewelry. The Maoris of New Zealand used jade for weapons, carvings and adornment, while the pre-Columbian cultures of Central America valued jade more highly than gold.
In China, the use of jade goes back more than six thousand years. Wars have been fought over jade and a Chinese emperor once offered to trade more than twenty cities for one single piece of jade.
Far back in the mist of antiquity, before we had writing, even before we had civilization, we had jade.
Today, jade is more popular than ever and the demand for both nephrite jade and jadeite jade shows no sign of slowing down.
So wear your jade with pride. You have a noble stone whose history goes back further than the memory of man.
Description of Nephrite Jade Qualities That We Sell
We carry only high quality nephrite jade.
Please check here for a note about colored gemstone qualities.
Nephrite Jade Properties
Hardness: 6 to 6.5
Specific Gravity: 2.95 (+.15, -.05)
Toughness: Exceptional, outranks Jadeite.
Ref. Index: 1.606 to 1.632 (+.009 -.006)
Double Refraction: AGG (DR)
Main Sources: Taiwan, Canada, Australia, New Zeland, China, US, Russia
Treatment: Dyeing, impregnating with paraffin wax, heating.
Reaction to Heat: Fuses slowly under jeweler’s torch or blow pipe.
Back to Colored Gemstone Information
|