Jade Facts and Myths-Birthstone
Saturday, March 14, 2009
If you find yourself mesmerized by the deep green hue of jade, have no fear. Many have fallen in love with this beautiful piece of gemstone even in ancient times. Aside from its enchanting beauty, there are many myths that surround this seemingly powerful stone. .
Types of Jade
Jade comes from the Spanish phrase “piedra de ijada”, meaning “stone of the loins “. This is because jade was believed to cure diseases related to the loins and the kidney, a belief that is also present in the other cultures. It has two variations: “jadeite” and “nephrite”. Of these two, jadeite is more rare, and is thus more valuable than nephrite. Jadeite also has more color variations than nephrite, and is harder according to the Mohs scale (a scale which determines the hardness of a mineral).
Importance
Throughout history, the Chinese culture places importance on jade, and has fashioned jewelry and ornaments alike – from belt clasps and necklaces to house decorations.
Romantic Jade
One of the myths that surround jade is that it attracts love. People from olden times wore jade to find good luck in romance, as it promises mutual love to its wearer. In the Chinese culture, a butterfly carved from this gemstone is said to be a powerful charm for success in romance. This comes from an old tale wherein a young man chases a butterfly of beautiful colors into the garden of a wealthy man. This situation becomes his four-leaf clover, as the wealthy man ends up giving his daughter’s hand in marriage. This is why the butterfly, as a symbol of good fortune, combined with jade, is believed to bring success in romantic affairs. This nice tale makes one want to wear butterfly jewelry!
Read more info hereLabels: Jade
See the Jewelry forum
PermaLink - Jade Facts and Myths-Birthstone
posted by Sudha @ 12:20 AM 0 Comments
Jade Jewelry-Fascinating Jade Beads
Monday, December 15, 2008
 The jade beads are valued and looked upon with respect since a very long time by the Chinese. The previously written symbol for kings in China was a string of jade beads. And even today, they are allied with a symbol of high class and authority in China. Jade bead was regarded as an important part of the marriage ceremonies in China that also contained “Jade Ceremony”. This is so because jade beads are considered as a symbol of concentrated love essence.
The jade beads are the striking gemstones and it is said and believed strongly that it adds up to the life of the person and also increases their bodily strength. It is a zodiac stone of the people whose sunsign is Virgo and also the birthstone of those people born in March. It is customary that these individuals should use the jade beads in some or the other form of jewelry on their body to enjoy its soothing and calming effects.
When we consider the texture, jade beads are not hard, but they are tough in nature. They are available in translucency to opaque properties and are often seen commonly in carvings and jewelry making designs. There are two kinds of jade beads: one is the jadeite and the other being the nephrite beads. Considering both the beads, the jadeite beads are more costly as well as durable than the nephrite beads. They are available in different hues like green, pink, mauve, orange, brown, bottle green, whitish gray, lilac, white, yellow, etc. this is the bead that is available in almost all the colors.
Read more info here
Labels: Jade
See the Jewelry forum
PermaLink - Jade Jewelry-Fascinating Jade Beads
posted by Sudha @ 8:37 PM 0 Comments
Jade Types-Different grades of Jade
Monday, November 17, 2008
There are three categories of jade, type A jade which is of superior quality and type B and C grades. Type A grade jades are more in demand and the prices for them are higher too. To fulfill the customers demands the manufacturers use chemical bleach to remove the impurities from lower jades thus damaging the structure in the process. This jade then gets classified as B grade and C grade jades.
• Types A Jade – this is a natural, untreated jade which undergoes natural processes of plum juice washing and polishing with beewax. This procedure does not classify under artificially processed method as they is no high temperature or high pressure treatment used.
• Type B Jade – this is an artificially treated jade which is oxygenated and hydrolyzed with oxides like magnesium, iron and calcium which tend to change the color of the jade into brown, black, orange or grey. Strong acids are used for its treatment to remove the impurities and the original color of jade is not affected by powerful acid treatment. However this jade can discolor or become unstable as time passes.
• Type C Jade – this jade has been chemically treated to remove impurities and been dyed as well to improve the color. The color will look impressive but will not retain the quality with passage of time.Labels: Jade
See the Jewelry forum
PermaLink - Jade Types-Different grades of Jade
posted by Sudha @ 1:22 AM 0 Comments
Jade Jewelry- Value & Beauty of Jade Jewelries
 Jade is a symbol of love and virtue. In most Asian culture, it has become a status symbol where only the rich and the famous can wear one.
The more valuable jades are known as the Jadeite jade. It has a beautiful emerald green color with an elegant translucent appearance. Because of its rarity and beauty, Jadeite jade are also popularly called gem jades or imperial jade. Jadeite jades originate from Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). An event is held by Myanmar Gems Enterprise that holds a gem, pearl and jade trade every year in order to showcase and sell precious gems and stones to top dealers from across the globe. Nephrite jade, which is carved in China, is the more affordable kind of jade. It is medium to dark green in color. It can also contain some black streaks. Nephrite jades have different characteristics than jadeite jade. It is less rare and is more durable that's why it's a popular material for carvings. Nephrite jades are very abundant in some parts of Canada and California. If you are decided to experience the beauty of jade yourself, be sure to get a jade jewelry that's well worth your money. The colors and transparency of the jade you would choose should be uniform. Although some people may also find multi-colored jades very appealing. Prepare to shell out some real cash if you want to go for green jades, which are popular and can be a little pricey than other jades. Translucent jades are more expensive than the opaque ones. If you happen to see a single cracks or some other flaws, then try not to buy that piece. Lastly, be aware of jade counterfeits. There may be nephrite jades that are sold for the price of jadeite jades because of some color treatments they've undergone to intensify its green color. You may even chance upon fake sellers of "jades" well in fact they are selling quartz dyed green.
Read more info here
Labels: Jade
See the Jewelry forum
PermaLink - Jade Jewelry- Value & Beauty of Jade Jewelries
posted by Sudha @ 1:17 AM 0 Comments
Jade Jewelry Buying Advice
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Jade Color and Transparency - Look for pieces of jade with uniform color throughout, although multicolor pieces can be in high demand
- Intense colors of jade are desirable and green is the most popular color of jade.
- Semi-transparent to translucent jade is more valuable than opaque jade.
More Jade Tips - Avoid jade with many cracks or other visible flaws.
- Finely textured, highly polished jade cabochons or other uncarved pieces are considered the most desirable items for jewelry.
- Jade is often dyed, but dyeing is not considered a permanent treatment.
- Heat treatments are used to lighten or intensify the color of jade.
- Most jade is waxed.
Watch for Fake Jade - Color-intensified nephrite is sometimes marketed as jadeite.
- Dishonest dealers alter and sell dyed quartz and other stones, labeling them jade, so as with other gemstones, buy from a dealer you trust.
More information hereLabels: Jade
See the Jewelry forum
PermaLink - Jade Jewelry Buying Advice
posted by Sudha @ 8:55 PM 0 Comments
Jade-All About Jade
The Chinese call Jade "The Stone Of Heaven". They treasured Jade beyond any other stone. The Chinese centered their culture around Jade. Since Jade is a very hard stone (6.5) they found that it made a good tool like an ax head and other hammering and cutting tools since at that time, the tool choices were rocks, wood and crystals (no metals were known at this time). The stone "Nephrite" is a stone found in China. It is a green stone that fooled the ancient Chinese and they treasured it as Jade. They did not know the difference between the two stones. Nephrite is still sold as Jade. It is hard to know if a stone is Nephrite or Jade without tests. Nephrite is a softer stone (6.0). Nephrite is found in the NW area of China. The Chinese still cut and carve this stone today for the worlds market and many times it is mistaken for Jade. Besides the difference of the hardness between the two stones, there are also structured noticeably different from one another with Nephrite the fibrous structure of the stone is looser interwoven filtrons structure, whereas Jade (Jadeite) has a very tight interlocking granular structure. True Jadeite is found in Burma, California, Guatemala, Russia, Japan, Hawaii, AND Switzerland. The Jadeite found in Burma is then cut and carved in many of the Asian countries like Burma, Thailand, and China and then sold. Jadeite from Burma was not introduced into the Chinese market before the late 1800’s. Replacement of nephrite by Burmese Jadeite came quickly as the preferred stone, due to the unique colors of the Burmese Jadeite (green, lavender, yellow and orange, and its greater translucent quality. Today Jadeite from Burma suggests fine quality Jadeite. This is why we travel to the oriental countries ourselves and hand select the Jadeite that we have made into our very own designed jewelry. Because Jadeite is hard, durable and resistant to most chemicals, caring for this stone is safe and simple (soap and water will clean it nicely). Labels: Jade
See the Jewelry forum
PermaLink - Jade-All About Jade
posted by Sudha @ 8:45 PM 0 Comments
Jade pendant buying guide & Jade's mystical properties
Monday, October 13, 2008
You want to go for a jade pendant because you found it very appealing or you believe in the powers of jade and wish it brings you luck. Whatever maybe the reason to buy a jade pendant, its surly is a beauty you would be proud to behold. You could go for a varied range of jade pendants carved or plain, green or the transparent white, on a silver or platinum or gold chain. The design style of the jade pendant could be contemporary, sleek and stylish or traditional. The olive green jade is pretty popular and looks good in an ornate setting of oxidized silver, even white jade in a simple setting of silver would suite any casual or formal occasion. Typically jade pendant comes in shapes like circle, oval, and rectangle. There are pendants which are carved in to beautiful motifs. There are jade pendants from China which come in elaborate oriental designs. Jade luckily has many varieties of colors to choose from, you could have many jade pendants to match with every different dress and occasion.
Jade's mystical properties
From ancient times worldwide jade is considered to bring peace and open the wearer's eyes and heart to love and positive energy within himself and in the material world around him. It's been considered a sacred stone and is used in sacred spiritual practices. There's also a belief that jade promotes longevity and balances the emotional ups and downs in the wearer to give him a fruitful and prosperous life. Jade is believed to help the wearer overcome his fears and move forward with self confidence and power to succeed. The stone also protects the wearer from negative forces and brings in harmony and positive energy. This stone is also believed to enhance the love between couples and hence is popular gift among lovers.
Read more inforamtion hereLabels: Jade
See the Jewelry forum
PermaLink - Jade pendant buying guide & Jade's mystical properties
posted by Sudha @ 7:54 AM 0 Comments
Jade Jewelry -Types of Jade
Sunday, October 12, 2008
 The most famous type of jade carved in China is from Burma, with shades of green, lavender, yellow, white and grey. Naturally these colors form over millions of years from minerals in the rock. However, its the emerald green color that jadeite produces so well, that is highly sought after by artwork collectors. This emerald green jade called "Imperial Jade" is colored by chromium. Other colors are influenced by iron (green and brown) and manganese is thought to produce the violet colors. And today, most colored jade is dyed.
Jade is remarkably tough, used by many early civilizations for axes, knives and weapons. Because of its smooth even texture, jade was soon carved into ornaments - and it wasn't until 1863 that it was realized that Jade was being applied to two different minerals: jadeite and nephrite. Jadeite is almost never found in individual crystals and is composed of microscopic interlocking crystals that produce a very tough material. The nephrite variety is composed of fibrous crystals inter-twinned in a tough compact mass. Nephrite is more abundant than jadeite and has fewer color varieties - usually less intense dark spinach greens, white, browns, and black.Labels: Jade
See the Jewelry forum
PermaLink - Jade Jewelry -Types of Jade
posted by Sudha @ 10:19 PM 0 Comments
Jade Jewelry Facts-The History of Jade Bead
 Mysterious and magical, jade is the stuff legends are made out of. One of these legends is that Spanish conquers wore amulets of jade to prevent or cure hip and kidney complaints.Jade is often referred to as the Stone of Heaven by the Chinese and used to gain insight into their culture and history. It’s considered a symbolic link between man and the spiritual world.The word Jade (derived from the 16th century Spanish name, la piedra de la ijada or stone for the loins) seems to evoke feelings of mystery, romance and wealth. Owners tend to develop an emotional attachment for this substance. Since the value of jade is in the scarcity, there’s nowonder it’s commonly "faked" by using less valuable substitutes and passing them off as jade. While scrupulous dealers would never dream of tricking their buyers, less honorable sellers get away with such practices by the labels they attach to their imitations. Following is a list of someof them:
Imperial Mexican Jade or Mexican Jade = dyed Calcite. American Jade = Californite or Green Idocrase. Indian Jade = Aventurine. Amazon Jade or Colorado Jade = Amazonite or Green Feldspar. Korean Jade or New Jade = Serpentine. Jade is sold by the piece rather than by the carat. Color is the most important value factor but translucency, texture and pattern are also considered when selecting specimens.There are two kinds of Jade, the less expensive Nephrite and the opulent Jadeite.
Interesting information here Labels: Jade
See the Jewelry forum
PermaLink - Jade Jewelry Facts-The History of Jade Bead
posted by Sudha @ 10:13 PM 0 Comments
|
Stumble It!
