White Jade - Stone of Virtue, Peace and Victory

White jade is a semi-precious stone widely used in ornamental work. This is a type of jadeite, with which they are, at first glance, very similar. A dense mineral does not shine through, but if a product thinner than one centimeter is made from it, you can pay attention to its internal structure.

White jade has been considered the national stone of China since ancient times. There are many legends and stories associated with it. It is a symbol of all the virtues and wisdom of the supreme rulers. The philosopher Confucius repeatedly mentioned it in his writings and often said that the properties of white jade will help a virtuous person achieve any spiritual peak and gain maturity on the path of life.

Features of formation and deposit

The formation sites of this mineral are where solidified volcanic lava (magma) fills rocks. Thanks to this natural process, a fibrous structure is created that has viscosity and strength. Fun fact: White jade is twice as strong as steel and five times as strong as granite. With strong impacts, dents may form on the surface of the mineral, but it is very difficult to completely destroy it. During the process of jewelry processing, the stone never loses its characteristic waxy or greasy shine.

Description and types of stone

Jade is a semi-precious ornamental mineral of the first row, a type of jadeite. It is opaque, only specimens thinner than a centimeter are translucent.

Forms in places where magma has filled rock. This process creates a strong and viscous structure resembling entangled fibers. Stone is twice as strong as steel and five times as strong as granite. Even powerful blows create only a dent, but do not break the monolith. Only a diamond can do this. The waxy or greasy sheen of the stone surface does not change when polished.

The color of the mineral is created by impurities. The white variety is an apocarbonate formation. That is, devoid of carbonate, which creates a dark range of shades (in Greek “ἀπο” - “without”).

Varieties of white minerals:

• lotus - an opaque agglomerate with a tint of lotus petals;
• ivory;
• slightly grayish – translucent, with a silky or oily sheen;
• “mutton fat” is an almost perfectly light-transmitting, most expensive variety, the color of freshly fallen snow.

The pure white tone of the stone is rare; more often you come across specimens of barely distinguishable shades - yellowish, greenish, bluish, grayish.

Color and deposits

The color and shade of jade depends on what impurities are present in a particular deposit. If apocarbonate formations predominate in the places where the stone is mined, the legendary white jade is obtained. The prefix “apo” translated from Greek means “without”, that is, the absence of carbonates that give jade dark colors (for example, green and black).

One of the properties of stone is to be located where slates and marble “live”. Jade deposits can be found:

• in China;
• In Canada;
• in the USA (Montana and California, as well as the island of Alaska);
• in Russia (in the territories of Transbaikalia, the Urals and Buryatia).

Meaning

Throughout history, jade stone has often been used to make symbols of power.

Moreover, the people liked it, because the shades of the green mineral were attractive to them. From ancient times to today, it is a sacred stone for China. They believe in its ability to change human habits and behavior.

The properties of the stone were compared with human qualities, the nobility of people. In the East it is a symbol of harmony, getting rid of vanity. In Europe and many other countries it was used for magical purposes.

White jade and history

It is the white variety of jade that different nationalities call “mutton fat.” This is the lightest, snow-white stone of amazing tenderness and beauty. People have long treated him in a special way, but most of all he was loved and loved by the Chinese and Mongols. Nobles wore amulets and jewelry made of white jade, and if a person was very rich, he could afford to regularly eat food from jade dishes. This was considered not only a sign of high status: people believed that such products, in the process of contact with food and water, released healing nectar that could heal ailments of the soul and body.

A white jade knife was the main item necessary for performing sacrificial rituals among the Aztecs. According to Buddhist scriptures, the throne on which Buddha sits in heaven is made of snow-white jade. One of the main Chinese attractions is the large Buddha statue. Its height is six meters, and the product itself is made from a single piece of jade.

During archaeological excavations in Mongolia, weapons and military armor decorated with a white gem were discovered. The warriors believed that he protected them from death and would definitely bring victory in battle with the enemy.

China is a country where the veneration of the stone is still a cult. This is not surprising: white jade is a stone that was an integral part of imperial paraphernalia. All symbols of imperial power were decorated with it, and after the death of the monarch, his tomb was inlaid.

Since the mineral lends itself well to processing, craftsmen can make almost anything from it. A ring, beads or jade pendant are the most common pieces of jewelry that can be found not only at large exhibitions and sales not only in Moscow, but also in other cities, since white jade is definitely not rare. However, this in no way detracts from its beauty and popularity among jewelry lovers.

The cult of snow-white jade in the world

Ancient peoples endowed any natural minerals with magical powers. Only great rulers, their entourage and priests could possess them. The stone was especially popular among Asian peoples.

1. For example, Buddhists all over the world know well that the heavenly throne of Buddha is made precisely from a white mineral.
2. The Aztecs used a ritual jade knife for bloody sacrifices. Mongol warriors decorated their weapons with the mineral; it was believed that jade made them invulnerable to the enemy.
3. In Ancient China, figurines of dragons - the patrons of the country, dishes for rulers and members of their families, and tombs of emperors - were made from stone.

Chemical and physical properties

Regardless of the color or type of stones, their physical and chemical properties are the same. The main characteristic of jade is its homogeneous composition, thanks to which high-quality stones always look monolithic and solid. The hardness index on the Mohs scale can range from 5.5 to 6.5 points. All jades have an oily sheen, and if it is not there, you should think about the possibility of a fake.

The density of the stone is from 3 to 3.4 g/cm3. Gray or thin specimens may be translucent, but they are quite rare. Since jade has a high heat capacity, this allows it to be used for medicinal purposes for various thermal procedures.

Cost of white mineral

Raw minerals are valued in kilograms, products - individually or in grams. The cost is affected by the weight of the stone, the degree of whiteness and purity. Price range – $210–7900 per kg of raw materials. The white range of the stone determines the value of products and jewelry - the purer and whiter the material, the more expensive it is. A silver frame with jade inserts increases the cost.

Price of silver products (thousand rubles)

• necklace – 5.7–12.1;
• suspension – 2.3;
• ring – 1.2–4.3;
• set of earrings plus ring – 12–22.

Polished pebbles weighing from 1 gram are priced individually (thousand rubles):

• snow-white – from 3.3;
• yellowish – from 0.8.

A carved pendant without a frame will cost 2.5, a ring – 1.1 thousand rubles.

What types of jade products are there?

High quality stones are highly valued by jewelers and are immediately processed. They are used to make jewelry: from rings and bracelets to complex and intricate products. Jade is used to make boxes, figurines of animals and birds, writing instruments, vases and bowls, not to mention balls and pyramids, widely used for occult and magical purposes.

Small jade balls or plates are popular in massage practice. With their help, you can do self-massage, calming the nervous system. Fans of meditative practices always like snow-white jade balls located on special stands: people contemplate them, restoring mental strength.

Interesting Facts

People have used jade to treat diseases since ancient times. Massage with balls and rods can be done at home. This will improve blood circulation, promote regeneration, and relieve fatigue.

Wearing green beads normalizes heart rhythm. Jade balls are also used for exercises that develop an injured hand.

Magic properties

The magical properties of white jade are aimed exclusively at good purposes. Since ancient times, they have been associated with honesty, kindness, sincerity and generosity. They say that even black jade will not work in the hands of a black magician or an evil person, and if it occurs to someone to use the stone for dark deeds, he will certainly get what he deserves.

If a person with a pure heart becomes the owner of white jade, the gem will help him strengthen his best qualities.

White jade helps the owner:

• find the meaning of life and follow the right path;
• always find a reason for an optimistic look into the future and materialize bright formations;
• relieve internal anxiety and tension;
• become a harmonious person who knows how to get along with those around him;
• properly organize family life.

White jade, like black, perfectly protects the owner from the evil eye, damage and other troubles. The valuable properties of the stone also lie in the fact that it has the ability to take on the negative energy of both the one who wears it and those who consciously or spontaneously bring harm to a person. This is why jade needs regular cleaning. It's very easy to do. You just need to rinse the jewelry or stone in running water.

A product made of white jade will be the best gift for someone who is constantly engaged in mental work. Thanks to the magical power of the gem, thoughts will become clear and precise, and any work in this direction will always bring joy and satisfaction.

Jade figurines, which can always be purchased at large exhibitions and sales, have the qualities of amulets. The peach brings longevity, the bat figurine brings good luck. Fish is a symbol of financial wealth, and if you want your friend to meet his soulmate faster, give him a jade sprig with two tangerines or other fruits.

Jade Magic

Snow-white jade is endowed with special magical properties. Confucius emphasized its importance as a container of the main human virtues - justice, purity of thoughts, spiritual generosity, calmness, honesty.

The owner of white jade is distinguished by moderation of material demands and the desire for knowledge.

The white mineral helps the owner:

• find your own purpose;
• optimize mental attitude;
• get rid of vicious thoughts;
• set worthy goals and achieve them;
• easily perceive the surroundings;
• don't be afraid of change.

The mineral directs all its power to protect a person from external negativity, dangers or ill-wishers. The jade talisman darkens if the owner is threatened by something or if he has stained himself with bad thoughts or actions.

The white variety absorbs all the energy and therefore needs to be cleaned. To do this, the mineral is kept under running water - stream or tap water.

Medicinal qualities

The healing qualities of white jade are closely intertwined with its ability to absorb all negative formations. Ancient healers applied the gem to the sore spots of patients and prepared powder from it for ingestion and treatment of wounds. Experts in the field of lithotherapy believe that snow-white stone will help cope with a number of serious diseases and conditions:

• pathologies of the urinary system;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• wounds and hematomas;
• insomnia, anxiety, frustration;
• cerebrovascular accidents.

For pregnant women, any jade jewelry will help cope with pain during childbirth.

White jade and zodiac signs

Who is the gem suitable for according to their zodiac sign? Astrologers claim that this is one of the few universal stones that absolutely all people can wear. Depending on the characteristics of each sign, white jade acts as follows:

• With its help, Aries It is known that representatives of this sign are very fond of stability and constancy, and when changes occur they often feel confused and insecure. The stone will help them cope with this problem;
• Taurus is characterized by distrust and excessive stubbornness. This often leads to conflicts in the family or at work. By constantly wearing the gem, Taurus will become softer, more compliant and sociable, which will contribute to their career growth;
• Ivory-colored jade or lotus-tinged jade will help Gemini reveal their creative abilities and find new victories Unfortunately, such specimens are not cheap, but in order to reveal the creative and extrasensory capabilities of this sign, you can try to find a worthy decoration or talisman;
• Cancers are naturally prone to depression, which unsettles them. White jade will clear Cancer's thoughts, dispel doubts and help drive away despondency; For Leos, the stone will give peace of mind and balance, and will also protect them from secret and overt enemies;
• Virgos constantly wear a jade bracelet to find happiness in all areas of life and get out of difficult situations;
• Since the gem is closely associated with the air element, it is perfect for Libra , giving them longevity and wisdom, as well as harmonizing energy;
• Scorpios are sometimes afraid to take responsibility for any actions due to their indecisiveness. The stone will help them become more self-confident;
• For Sagittarius , the snow-white stone has a positive influence in all areas, especially in cases where their hot temperament begins to appear. Jade softens the character of Sagittarius and teaches him to be more patient and gentle towards other people;
• For Capricorn, the stone will become a reliable talisman that protects him from serious diseases. If a representative of this sign has health problems, jade will definitely help cope with them;
• Aquarius often lacks qualities such as wisdom, determination and courage. By regularly wearing jade, Aquarius will become more serious, and his thoughts will gain consistency and depth;
• Pisces , like Aquarius, often suffer from indecision and self-doubt. If you bring any jade jewelry as a gift to this sign, it will give Pisces strength of spirit and the ability to always make the right choice in an important situation.

Place of extraction

For many centuries, China and Burma were considered the main deposits . Chinese jades differ in shades depending on the place of origin. For example, a mineral from Khotan has the color of fresh lamb fat; it is considered the rarest and most valuable. Specimens from Xiuyan are translucent; Nanyang specimens are distinguished by colored inclusions.

In Russia, jade is mined in Buryatia, Transbaikalia, the Vitim River basin, Buromsky, Golyubinsky mines. The best specimens are found in New Zealand .

How to spot a fake

Glass and plastic are the most common materials from which unscrupulous sellers make cheap fakes. It is known that jade is not that expensive compared to precious stones, but the penny price of plastic has always attracted scammers.

Even if you are not an expert in the field of mineralogy, it will not be difficult for you to identify a fake. Natural stone has a decent weight, while glass or plastic is always suspiciously light. Heating up of a real stone in your hand does not occur as quickly as plastic or glass. Cheap materials are quickly scratched and damaged if you just lightly run a sharp object over them. In the case of jade, such an experiment will not be successful: as mentioned earlier, it is harder and more durable than granite.

It also happens that sellers mistakenly pass off other stones as jade - for example, jadeite. Since both minerals are “relatives,” such confusion is not surprising. However, upon closer inspection, you will find a fibrous structure inside the jade, while jadeite is grainy. If it becomes necessary to distinguish jade from other white minerals, pay attention to the presence or absence of a characteristic “greasy” or glossy sheen.

Never be fooled by the low price of a product: most often this is one of the first signs of a fake.

Name compatibility

Jade is most compatible with the following names:

1. Galina - improves mental and physical well-being, allows you to maintain a clear head even in difficult situations.
2. Raisa - strengthens character, helps to avoid making rash decisions.
3. Inna - eliminates causeless mood swings, which has a positive effect on relationships with loved ones.
4. Gregory - gives determination in emergency situations.
5. Igor softens character and helps to develop creatively.
6. Innocent - develops qualities such as courage, compassion and the ability to make wise decisions.

Anyone, regardless of name, can wear a jade talisman. If positive emotions and a feeling of warmth arise when you come into contact with a stone, you can safely purchase this gem.

Who better not to wear a stone

White jade does not accept owners who deliberately harm themselves. An alcoholic or drug addict will not be able to keep a jade product with him for a long time: the stone will soon leave him under any “pretext”. Also, the gem does not like greedy and greedy people and will never bring them good luck.

You should also know that white jade is a stone of constant spiritual improvement, so people who love stability too much and have difficulty accepting change are also not recommended to wear it.

Stone compatibility

Jade belongs to the stones of the Earth and is combined with minerals of different elements.
Change

Of the Earth's minerals, jasper does not combine with jade, and wearing this gem simultaneously with such fiery stones as ruby, diamond, coral or garnet will significantly weaken the properties of the nugget.

Rules of care

The mineral is quite unpretentious and does not require special treatment, but in order for it to always delight with its beauty, you need to adhere to simple rules:

• Clean it regularly with warm water and a mild soap solution;
• do not allow the product to come into contact with perfumes and cosmetics;
• wipe from time to time with a soft cloth to remove accumulated dust;
• keep in a box or box.

White jade is a popular yet beautiful stone that comes in a variety of shades. It is unique in that it can be worn by any person with a pure heart, who is not afraid of change and difficulties. Since such products are much cheaper compared to precious minerals, you can always purchase them from trusted manufacturers.

Fake jade. Myth or reality?

Home – Blog

06/18/2017 jade, properties of jade, green jade, culture

1. Preface.
2. Briefly about the magical and not so magical properties of jade.
3. Market for fake jade. Myth or Reality?
4. Express analysis. Methods for determining jade.
5. Quality of raw materials, impact on the cost of products.
6. Mineralogical analysis of jade products.
7. Conclusions.

Jade and products made from this mineral have recently become very popular among modern fashionistas and fashionistas. This fashion came to us from the countries of Asia and the Far East. Jade has always been quite popular among priests, shamans and ministers of various cults, and is also known in almost all ancient cultures of our planet. This is due to its amazing properties: hardness and extraordinary strength, as well as a variety of colors.

Jade magic

Legends about the magical and healing properties of jade go back centuries to various cultures and peoples. Jade would have been known to the Mayans and Aztecs: the culture of jade, as the stone of gods and celestial beings, is known to almost all of Mesoamerica. The ancient Indians revered jade more than gold; various artifacts have been found that indicate that jade was the favorite stone of the Great Inca and various deities. Only the privileged classes of Indian society had the right to wear jade products. Everyone knows the ritual knives and masks of that period in the history of Mesoamerica, which lead us to think about the deification of jade objects.

Ancient China is perhaps the most important supplier of myths and legends about this unusual stone. “Jade Emperor”, “jade fox”, “jade rod” is a small list of epithets that the Chinese awarded this noble mineral. Rare, durable, hard, beautiful, with an inner glow - this is why jade was so valued by the ancient inhabitants of the Celestial Empire.

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“A noble man is like jade!” - say the Chinese. In this saying one can clearly feel the whole attitude towards jade.

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Jade was also known in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. It was valued primarily for its amazing properties. Let us recall famous artifacts, for example, the “Wands of Horus”, or the jade cult knives of the state of Urartu.

To summarize this paragraph, I would like to say that jade is a transcultural and transcontinental mineral that has sacred properties in many ancient cultures, with pronounced magical and healing properties.

Market for fake jade. Objective reality!

The largest consumer of jade and jade products at the moment is China. Prices for raw materials and jade products there are prohibitively high, which is due to the sacred properties of this stone for the Chinese themselves and practicing Buddhists. For example, the price for bright and high-quality white jade in China can easily reach 20,000 - 30,000 $/kg, and high-quality green (spinach) jade in shades can easily cost about 3,000 - 5,000 $/kg at auctions in Beijing and Hong Kong. This means that counterfeiting this material is profitable and interesting, which is what happens. The main regions where counterfeit material or products come from are the Middle Kingdom and nearby regions that are oriented towards the Chinese market. The scale of trade in counterfeit jade products in China itself is astonishing. The most famous jade market in Guangzhou, according to experts, is more than 60-70% filled with fake raw materials and products. In this regard, Indonesia is not far behind China, from where there is a powerful flow of counterfeit jade to China and other markets, in particular to Russia. As a rule, finished products or semi-finished products are supplied from Indonesia; raw materials are rarely counterfeited there.

Beautiful illustrations of fake jade and its imitation.

The main center of jade counterfeiting is the Uyghur Autonomous Region and the surrounding territories of Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia. As a rule, the highest quality fakes come from there - imitations made of ceramics and other minerals painted to look like jade. There are no counterfeit centers in our country yet, because there is sufficient production of high-quality and inexpensive raw materials. Our raw materials are most often refined.

The market for counterfeit jade in the Asian region can be compared with the market for natural raw materials, both in terms of money and quantity. The turnover of natural jade in China alone reaches (according to experts) approximately 10-15 billion. dollars. From this we can conclude how profitable and interesting the market for jade counterfeits is.

Below we will give some practical tips for our readers on how not to waste money and choose jewelry made from truly natural Russian jade. Let's look at several ways to identify counterfeits and options on how to avoid purchasing “fake” raw materials, i.e. more serious analysis and certification of jade.

Express analysis of jade

In RuNet and offline stores in our country there is now a fairly large number of jade products and jewelry, often at very attractive prices. And if for jade jewelry, counterfeiting is not critical. Beautiful and beautiful, not everyone recognizes it at first glance. For people practicing stone therapy, yogic and Buddhist practices, natural jade is the only right purchase. This paragraph will directly focus on quickly analyzing jade and determining the quality of jade.

The easiest way to determine whether the jade in front of you is fake or not is the so-called express analysis. This type of determining the authenticity of jade includes several methods of visually identifying jade.

You need to start, first of all, with the price. As a rule, natural jade cannot be cheap. Prices for products made from natural jade start from 2000 -3000 rubles. for a unit. For example, a ball bracelet, by definition, cannot cost 600 - 800 rubles, because... manufacturing cost, taking into account the cost of raw materials, is approximately 350 - 400 rubles / ball for green jade and 600 - 1000 rubles / ball for white jade.

Accordingly, you can imagine how much the finished product will cost based on the prices of raw materials. Below are some prices for untreated stone in our country (in the Middle Kingdom the price tag will be much higher):

White jade (lamb fat) 2500 – 5000$/kg

White jade (Golyubinskoye, Kolarskoye deposit) 300 – 400 $/kg

Bright green without inclusions (speckles) with a high degree of transparency 700 – 1200 $/kg

Bright green (with inclusions 1 – 1.5 mm) 120 -300 $/kg

Sea wave 20-50$/kg

Honey jade 150-300$/kg

Swamp or tobacco jade 20$/kg

Miass (light colors) jade 15 – 20$/kg

The first step has been taken. Although the seller may deliberately inflate the price of products in order to mislead the buyer. Let's move on to the second stage of our express analysis.

Visual inspection. Natural stone cannot be perfectly clean and uniform. There are always irregularities in color or inclusions. For this method, it is better to arm yourself with a small portable flashlight. Shine through the product, if thickness allows. Light from the edges, in thin places. As a rule, they try to make counterfeits as clean and free of inclusions as possible.

Third step. Jade has a beautiful glassy sheen. If the polishing of the product is high-quality, you can see a clear reflection of surrounding objects. If you buy raw materials, then at the break the shine should be glassy, ​​not greasy.

Fourth step. Determination of hardness. Jade is a fairly hard mineral. Its hardness on the Mohs scale is 6, which is significantly higher than steel, but lower than quartz glass.

Jade – 6

Nail, sewing needle – 5

Quartz glass -7

In this simple way, you can accurately identify fakes; they are easily scratched by sewing needles.

Thermal conductivity. Jade has a fairly low coefficient of thermal conductivity, so if you take the product in your hand, it will be cold, but it heats up quickly enough from the warmth of your hands, unlike other stones and retains heat for a long time.

With express analysis, that’s probably all. In the field, these methods should help you identify crude and medium-quality fakes. If you still doubt that this is natural jade, then it is worth conducting a mineralogical examination. This examination is inexpensive (about 1-1.5 thousand rubles) and, as a rule, reliable and honest sellers easily agree to this procedure and will tell you the addresses and telephone numbers of expert organizations who are engaged in mineralogical analysis.

Quality of natural jade and its price.

This paragraph will be the most interesting and cornerstone in conversations about jade and products made from it. Experience shows that there is no reliable classification of jade raw materials in terms of quality. Often the Chinese themselves (Chinese experts) are “confused in their testimony.” Therefore, in this article we present only our experience and our assessment, considering it to be the closest to the real market value in our country and China.

The prices in the table are presented in conditional form, because Pricing is influenced by many other factors: defects, light transmission, subjective factors and proper processing during demonstration.

White jade. Golyubinskoye and Kolarskoye fields.

The most valuable are white jades (the so-called “lamb fat” or “mutton lard”). From our own experience we can say that such material is extremely rare.

Therefore, the most popular jades on the market are from the Golyubinsky and Kolarsky deposits. The price for them is quite stable, and you can find large-block raw materials, which will allow you to make a product of a fairly large volume.

Fine examples of jade from the Ospinskoye and Gorlykgolskoye deposits.

Of the green jades, the most valuable deposits are: Ospinskoye (vein No. 7), Gorlykgolskoye (vein No. 10), and Ulan-Khodinskoye. These good quality jades are characterized by an even bright green color, absence or insignificant amount of specks (1-2%, with a size of 1-1.5 mm).

The most favorite raw material among Russians for the manufacture of various products is jade vein No. 6, it is characterized by high light transmission, even green and dark green color with the presence of specks (5-10%, with a size of 1-3 mm).

The remaining shades of jade are exotic and are valued primarily for their decorative value and the skill of the craftsman to “fit” the material into the product.

Summarizing this paragraph, we can say with confidence that the jade market is still very young, there are no established prices. Market dynamics are positive. If you look at the rise in prices for jade raw materials, you can notice a steady increase. For example, before 2004, jade (vein No. 6) cost about 3-5 $/kg, now the same jade is sold at 50–70 $/kg.

Mineralogical analysis.

When purchasing expensive raw materials or a product with a high final cost, we recommend that all buyers do a mineralogical analysis, as the most accurate and unambiguous, which will reveal all the positive characteristics of jade, as well as indicate the negative signs before purchasing. Mineralogical analysis, as a rule, is accompanied by taking a sample (section) and working with the sample. This method is suitable if you buy unprocessed jade or make a product to order, because... the sample taken is destroyed for various research methods. In Russia, in large cities, there are a sufficient number of both state and commercial organizations that are engaged in mineralogical examination.

Conclusions.

Russian jade certainly has investment attractiveness. The rise in prices for raw materials by 15–20 times suggests that Russians can also use this mineral for various business ideas. For the end consumer, natural jade is also very interesting. Nowadays you can still buy luxurious samples or products made of jade at relatively inexpensive prices, but this will change in the coming years, because... the market will stabilize the difference in world prices and random items will leave trade.

A. Veselovsky

St. Petersburg, 2022