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'

Cultural Significance and History of Jade

• 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 in Japan, Korea, South Asia, and Southeast Asia

• 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 in Mesoamerica and Canada

• 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.

Mining, Trade, and Conservation of Jade

• 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.

Jade Data Sources