Why Jade is a Coveted Gem: - Insights and Lore - Dakota Nature LLC

Modern mineralogist emphasise the scientific definition of jade and divide the precious stone into two categories soft and hard. Both the soft and hard jade is a silicate.
Although the ancient Chinese felt a close affinity with jade they did not define strictly what jade actually was. The ancient definition was written by Xu Shen in the 1st. Century AD.  In his writings jade is describe as any stone that has the five virtues : benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, courage, and purity.

Jade is a beautiful green gemstone, occurring in a wide variety of colors that include green, white, lavender, yellow, blue, black, red, orange, and gray. Jade typically occurs opaque in clarity, although fine materials can form with good translucency. Translucent materials are the most highly valued. 

Nephrite is one of the two distinct minerals recognized as jade (the other is jadeite).  Soft jade is called nephrite, hard jade is Jadeite.

Humans have used jade for thousands of years. The earliest objects made from jade were tools. Jade is a very hard material and was used as a tool because it is extremely tough and breaks to form sharp edges.

Jade is prized throughout Chinese and Latin American cultures, often holding more value than gold.

Metaphysically it is said that Green Jade is an ancient talisman of protection and luck, abundance and promotes the flow of energy and money.

We have varieties of Jade - Chinese, Burma, Canadian and rarely USA Jade.
Browse our selection of Jade at Dakota Nature LLC