Jade

Jade is often carved to bring out its radiant beauty. Many of these jade carvings are unique hademade works of art. It is most often used in pendants and statues though you can find lovely earrings, bangles and bracelets.

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Jade Pendants courtesy of The Crystal Ball, Inc Jade Pendants, Jade Earrings, Jade Rings and Jade Bracelets through Amazon Search Jewelry Mall Stores for Jade

Jade Care & Where

There are two types of Jade: Jadeite and Nephrite. The most common color for jade is green.

Jadeite is rarer and the highest quality is known as imperial Jade. Jadeite comes in many colors: red, yellow, green, lilac, black, orange, white, pink, blue and brown. Jadeite has a hardness of 7.

Nephrite Jade is more common and is often used in chinese carvings. Nephrite Jade comes in various tones of green -- mostly with an olive green tone. It has a hardness of 6.5.

Be aware that Serpentine is often sold as Jade.

Reputable dealers will not use the following misleading terms. However, for your protection, I am listing them here:

"Amazon jade" and "Colorado Jade" is really Amazonite (green feldspar).

"American jade" is really the Californite (green variety of idocrase).

"Imperial mexican jade" and "mexican jade" are really green-dyed calcite.

"Indian jade" is really aventurine.

"Korea jade" and "New jade" are really Serpentine.

Jadeite is from Myanmar, Japan, and USA (Alaska and California). Nephrite Jade is from Myanmar, Russia, China and USA (Wyoming).

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Actual Gem-related books:
• Jade - by Roger Keverne (Editor)
  A book about jade geographically and historically with sections on the gemology of jade, advice for buyers and collectors, and jade collections

• Jade (Fred Ward Gem Book) - by Fred Ward, Charlotte Ward (Editor)
  A book about jade.

• Precolumbian Jade: New Geological and Cultural Interpretations - by Frederick W. Lange (Editor)
  A comprehensive reference on the sourcing, cultural context, and ideological significance of jade in the world of the ancient Maya and other Precolumbian peoples of Central America.

• Gemstone Buying Guide: A Guide to Buying - by Renee Newman
  Very nice gemstone identification book.

• Gemstones of the World - by Walter Schumann
  A very well written source on gemstones with great descriptions and photographs

  Books with Jade in the Title:

• Jade Island - by Elizabeth Lowell
  Romance thriller about a woman who manages the family's extensive jade collection

• The Jade Cabinet - by Rikki Ducornet
  Literature: the story of a father who trades one of his daughters for some jade.

• Jade - by Norah Hess, Nora Hess
  Historical romance with a Woman named Jade.

• Jade - by Sue Rich
  Romance with a Woman named Jade.

• In the Court of the Jade Emperor: Stories from Old China - by Rosalind Kerven
  A collection of sixteen folktales, myths, and legend

• Jade - by Patricia Simpson
  Romance with a Woman named Jade; nominated for Best Contemporary, Futuristic, Fantasy 1997 by Romantic Times Magazine

• Jade Star - by Catherine Coulter
  Romance novel

• The Jade Emperor's Mind Seal Classic - by Stuart Alve Olson (Translator), Stuart Olsen
  Chinese philosophy book with emphasis on Toaism

• Jade Lady Burning - by Martin Limon
  Mystery/Thriller book

• The Jade Crucible; Alexis Albright-Private Investigator - by Janice Miller
  Fiction book about freedom

• I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade - by Diane Lee Wilson
  A young adult book.

• Charlie Chan:Jade Mask - by Sidney Toler
  VHS Video with Charlie Chan

  Bibliography:

• The Curious Lore of Precious Stones - by George Frederick Kunz
  The definitive book on fascinating, traditional gem lore.

• Gemstones (Eyewitness Handbooks) - by Cally Hall, Harry Taylor (Photographer)
  A field guide to gemstones. Nice pictures and good, brief, well-written descriptions of over 130 varieties of gemstones.

• Spiritual Value of Gem Stones - by Wally Richardson and Lenora Huett
  Very sweet book on the mystical properties of gemstones.

  Thanks to Amazon.com for fast, efficient, and reliable book processing

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Birthstone Months with Jade

• March Birthstone: Mystical Birthstone
• August Birthstone: Other Birthstone (from elsewhere on net)
• Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22): Birthstone

Jade is the anniversary gemstone for the 12th, 30th and 35th year of marriage.

Jade is said to help one relax. It is considered a very balanced stone -- it helps one in both the vision of tasks to do as well as doing the actual tasks.

Jade has been thought of as the concentrated essense of love.

In China, jade is regarded as a special stone. It is believed that when handled some of the secret virtue of the substance is absorbed into the body.

Legends have it that the Spanish conquers of Central America wore amulets of Jadeite to prevent/cure hip and kidney complaints.

Jade is the US State Gemstone of Alaska and Wyoming. It is the Canadian State Gemstone of British Columbia.

Who is Jade's best friend?
Pearl.

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