About Jade, Jadeite and Nephrite
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Keep reading to discover more about jade
- Mineralogy and geology*
- Metaphysical, Spiritual and Healing** Properties***
- Common Associations
Jade is the name for a stone / gemstone that is greenish black to creamy white (and sometimes other colors) highly valued for jewelry, carvings and sacred objects in China, Korea, and Central and South America.
Most jade is a high-grade metamorphic rock consisting of one or more minerals, usually described as jadeite or nephrite. This was discovered in 1863 by French mineralogist Alexis Damour.
Nephrite jade is far more common than jadeite. Jadeite is a mineral but nephrite is a rock consisting of the intergrown amphibole minerals tremolite and actinolite; it can contain traces of other minerals such as pyroxenes and garnets or other amphiboles.
Nephrite jade usually occurs in shades of white to deep green; the white varieties contain more of the amphibole mineral tremolite and the green ones contain more of the amphibole mineral actinolite.
To learn more about the mineralogical properties of the amphibole mineral actinolite, click HERE.
The mineral jadeite is a pyroxene that can range in color from white to brilliant apple green to violet or black. Individual crystals of jadeite are extremely rare, so most jadeite is actually a rock consisting of many interlocking jadeite crystals; it forms in certain kinds of metamorphic rocks. The most valuable type of jadeite is “Imperial Jade;” its apple-green color is due to the presence of chromium.
Nephrite jade, in particular, is a very “tough,” hard rock, making fabulous weapons and tools such as axes and knives. Ancient people discovered this as can be seen in archeological artifacts in many museums around the world. Today it is highly valued for jewelry and decorative or sacred objects.
At present, most nephrite jade comes from economically important deposits in northwestern China, British Columbia, and Siberia. Most jadeite jade comes from Myanmar, New Zealand, Russia and China. Central and South American jade includes both jadeite and nephrite, although jadeite was preferred.
Metaphysical, Spiritual and Healing** Properties*** of Jade
Jade traditionally symbolizes purity, serenity, and wisdom. Jade is a “dream stone,” assisting in remembering dreams and their significance. It also represents harmony, both within an individual and in the environment. Green jade relates to the heart chakra; it helps attune one to the needs of others and balancing one’s needs with others. It also provides confidence, self-sufficiency and self-reliance.
With its green color, jade also represents wealth and prosperity, the kind of abundance that lets you manifest your dreams. You can use jade (either a piece of stone or jewelry) in grids and rituals for spiritual wealth, monetary wealth, and in love rituals.
Other colors of jade relate to other chakras and their healing attributes.
In Asia, jade is considered a living stone; it needs to be out in the open, seen, touched and appreciated to remain vibrant. So if you have some jade jewelry, make sure you do wear it! It will always enhance and improve your energy.
Common Associations for Jade
Color: green, shades of white to green; occasionally other colors
Chakras: heart (for green)
Numerology: vibrates to the number 11; jadeite vibrates to the number 9
Planets: Venus
Zodiac: Aries, Gemini, Taurus & Libra; jadeite is Aries
Bagua: jade placed anywhere in the home improves the balance, quantity and quality of energy
Elements: green is wood; white is metal
Birthstone: March (Tibetan calendar, and for Pisces)
Wedding Anniversary: 35th
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* Mineralogical information is from mindat.org
** Always consult with your medical professional for any physical or long-term healing issues.
*** Metaphysical properties come from:
Love Is in the Earth (1995) Melody, Earth-Love Publishing House, 726 pp.
The Crystal Bible, A Definitive Guide to Crystals (2003) Judy Hall, Walking Stick Press, 399 pp.
Crystal Muse (2017) Heather Askinosie and Timmi Jandro, Hay House, 285 pp.
Crystal Gridwork (2018) Kiera Fogg, Weiser Books, 128 pp.