Jade

Properties and Types of Jade

Refractive index: 2.9–3.38
Birefringence: 1.600–1.688
Pleochroism: 0.020–0.027
Absence of dispersion
Mainly produced in China and other countries
Jade is an umbrella term for two types of ornamental rocks: nephrite and jadeite
Nephrite is typically green but can also be yellow, white, or black
Jadeite comes in various colors, including emerald green, lavender, yellow, orange, brown, and black
Both nephrite and jadeite are mineral aggregates, not mineral species
In China, the name jadeite has been replaced with 'fei cui'

Jade is widely used in East Asian, South Asian, and Southeast Asian art
It is commonly used in Latin America, such as Mexico and Guatemala
Jade holds symbolic and ideological value in Mesoamerican cultures
It was considered the imperial gem in China and used for utilitarian and ceremonial objects
Jade had a higher status-value than gold or silver in China
Nephrite jade was mined in China as early as 6000 BC
Jade was used extensively during the Shang Dynasty (1600 to 1050 BC)
Khotan in Xinjiang, China, was a major source of jade
Jadeite from Burma became popular in China after 1800
Jade had special significance in Chinese art and was used for grave furnishings

Jade bracelets were used as symbols of wealth and power in Japan
Jade was used in rituals and is the national stone of Japan
All jade used in Japan since the Jomon period is from Itoigawa
Korea has a long tradition of using jade and other greenstone
Comma-shaped jades were found in Silla royalty and elite burials
India is known for its craftsman tradition of using large amounts of green serpentine or false jade obtained primarily from Afghanistan for jewelry and ornamental items.
The Jain temple of Kolanpak in Telangana, India is home to a 5-foot high sculpture of Mahavira carved entirely out of jade.
The Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad has a wide range of jade hilted daggers, mostly owned by the former Sultans of Hyderabad.
Myanmar is estimated to be the origin of upwards of 70% of the world's supply of high-quality jadeite.
The highest quality jadeite in the world is found in the Jade Tract located in Kachin State, Myanmar.
Taiwan, the Philippines, and Maritime Southeast Asia were part of an extensive trading network for carved nephrite jade, known as the Maritime Jade Road.
The maritime road was in existence for at least 3,000 years and was a golden age for the diverse animist societies of the region.
Pounamu taonga, or greenstone, has cultural significance in New Zealand and is used to create tools, weapons, and ornaments.

Jade was a rare and valued material in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.
The only source of jade for indigenous cultures like the Olmec and Maya was located in the Motagua River valley in Guatemala.
Jade was often carved into symbolic figurines and used in ideological practices and rituals.
Jade was first identified in Canada by Chinese settlers in 1886 in British Columbia.
Jade was not commercialized in Canada until the 1970s.
Canadian jade is mined from large boulders using diamond-tipped core drills and water-cooled diamond saws.
Hydraulic spreaders are used to break away the jade from the rock.
Russia has its own jade deposits in Siberia, with estimated reserves of 336 tons.

The jade industry in Myanmar produces over 70% of the world's high-quality jadeite.
Myanma Gem Enterprise (MGE) is the main producer in Myanmar.
Most of Myanmar's jadeite is exported for use in jewelry and art.
Canada is a major source of lapidary nephrite.
The beauty of jade makes it valuable for ornaments and decorative objects.
Myanmar's jadeite deposits are the source of the highest quality jadeite.
Chinese culture places significant importance on jade.
Myanmar exports most of its jadeite to other Asian nations.
Myanma Gem Enterprise has enough assets to run for 172 years.
The jade industry in Myanmar has grown with Chinese influence.
Jade continues to be highly sought after in the global market, with demand driven by collectors, jewelry designers, and enthusiasts.
Conservation efforts are being made to protect jade resources and promote sustainable mining practices.
Environmental impacts of jade mining, such as deforestation and water pollution, are being addressed through regulations and initiatives.
The identification and authentication of genuine jade have become important due to the prevalence of counterfeit and treated stones.
Museums and cultural institutions play a crucial role in preserving and showcasing the historical and artistic significance of jade.

Reference	URL
Glossary	https://harryandcojewellery.com.au/blogs/glossary/jade
Wikipedia	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jade
Wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q175089
Knowledge Graph	https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/01b5dy