More Jade info:
In the chinese culture, jade symbolizes nobility, perfection, constancy and immortality. For millenia, jade has been an integral part of the lives of Chinese. It is viewed as the most valuable of all precious stones. For the Chinese, Jade held an occult value apart from its commercial value. Since nearly the beginning of the Chinese civilization, it was considered the
" Stone of Heaven".
There are two types of Jade: Jadeite and Nephrite.
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.
Its gentle, smooth, glossy appearance suggests charity of heart;
Its fine close texture and hardness suggests wisdom;
It is firm and yet does not wound, suggesting duty to one's neighbor;
It hangs down as though sinking, suggesting ceremony;
Struck, it gives a clear note, long drawn out,
Dying gradually away and suggesting music;
Its flaws does not hide its excellences,
Nor does its excellences hide its flaws, suggesting loyalty;
It gains our confidence, suggesting truth;
Its spirituality is like the bright rainbow,
Suggesting the earth below;
As articles of regalia it suggests the exemplification
Of that than which there is nothing in the world of equal value,
And thereby is Tao itself.
-Confucius
