blue, yellow, red, lavender, gray and black, but
experts call the ideal shade "emerald green".
Jadeite, the most prized form of jade, is one of
the toughest known minerals. It is valued for both
carving and for setting in jewelry. Although never
completely transparent, the closer the gemstone
comes to being transparent, the more value it
has. Other quality considerations are color
uniformity, clarity and brightness.
A gift of jade is suggested as the anniversary
gemstone for the twelfth year of marriage.
Found in Burma, jadeite may well be the world's
only gemstone that is still used as much for an
amulet as for adornment. Millions of Orientals
wear jadeite jewelry for good luck and health.
For centuries, its possession has been thought
to give the owner power, knowledge, pure
thoughts, long life and immortality.
Nephrite, a member of the jade family, is one of
the first gems to have been worked by early man.
Tools, weapons, amulets and pendants have
been found at archaeological sites around the
world. Nephrite carvings are supreme among the
art achievements of Chinese civilization.
As part of the customary fashioning process,
jadeite is impregnated with colorless wax and
polished to brighten its color.
To clean, simply wipe with a soft cloth. Do not
use a home ultrasonic machine. Protect jade
from scratches, sharp blows and chemicals.