Jade stone is considered one of the most beautiful. It is a monomineral aggregate of entangled fibrous amphiboles. The classification of A.E. Fersman classifies it as a semi-precious stone of the first category. The same order includes rock crystal, jasper, and agate. However, many scientists consider it precious. This creation of nature has been known since the Neolithic. Many girls like the beautiful color of jade. But not only the shade is important in this mineral.
What does the mineral look like? If polished in cold water, it will resemble a human kidney in appearance. And the name comes from the Greek word νεφρό, which literally translates as “kidney”. In the old days, it was believed that it could cure kidney failure.
The use of jade is widely known. It protects its owner from evil, ensures a long and happy life, and promotes family well-being. It is best to wear the stone near the heart in the form of a brooch or long jade beads.
Blue jade is considered the most expensive. A red mineral will protect you from fires and natural disasters, while a yellow one will activate vital energy. There are pebbles of other colors - green, blue, white. But rich green is the traditional shade of the mineral.
Properties of jade
Jade belongs to the silicate group of minerals and is an interweaving of amphibole fibers. A distinctive feature of this stone is its increased viscosity. It is quite difficult to break off a piece from a mineral. Jade weapons are almost as strong as steel weapons.
Due to its strength, jade belongs to the first class jewelry and ornamental stones. Depending on the texture, jade is divided into 3 groups: uniform, spotted, spotted-disseminated. The presence of stains depends on impurities of iron, manganese or chlorine. The color range of this mineral ranges from milky white to black. The most common shades are green with pink or yellow splashes.
Jade beads. Photo: fedpress.ru
Value of the stone
Jade is an unusual breed. It is found quite often in the earth's crust, and therefore is not considered precious, but if you look at the history of the mineral, you can only be surprised at how revered it was in ancient times.
The gem was considered an invaluable, loyal friend. It was used to make tools, weapons for hunting and combat, decorative items, jewelry, dishes, etc. With such a seemingly comprehensive practical “earthly” role, jade was deified. The Aztecs, for example, performed all sacrifices only with a jade knife, and the Chinese imperial seal was made of the mineral as a symbol of approval of power by the gods. It was also believed that the gem protected against natural disasters, epidemics, war, and pestilence.
However, there was something to respect the mineral for. Jade is a very durable rock. At one of the factories in Siberia, a curious experiment was carried out - a steam hammer was brought down on a block of stone, and there was no dent or scratch left on it. What makes the gem so unshakable is its special viscosity characteristics; it seems to be woven from millions of tightly woven felt threads. It should be noted that jade is not afraid of either fire or even the most caustic acids.
How to distinguish natural jade from imitation?
It is not difficult to distinguish a natural stone from a fake if you use the following simple techniques:
If you lightly hit a jade on a coin or other jade item, the sound will be clear and resonant. If it is fake, then the sound will be dull and dull.
You can try leaving a scratch on the stone. In the case of real jade, this is almost impossible, and its imitation is easily subject to various physical influences.
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You should also pay attention to the shine of the stone: jade after good polishing has a “greasy” shine, and an unpolished stone shows a matte velvety surface.
Field
Jade is found on each of the four continents. The main deposits include:
- Ospinskoe;
- Ulan-Khodinskoe;
- Buromskoe;
- Khamarkhudinskoe.
Some of the places where jade is mined are the Urals and Kazakhstan. Foreign sources include countries such as China, New Zealand, Canada and the USA.
Magical and healing properties of jade
According to Chinese beliefs, this stone is the personification of five human qualities: honesty, justice, mercy, courage and wisdom. If a person with bad thoughts takes it, the stone will darken. Jewelry with this mineral can protect a person from the negative effects of otherworldly forces. So, for example, red jade will protect the owner from all fire-related troubles: fires, burns, etc. Also, constantly wearing a jade pendant will prevent the owner from bringing the evil eye or damage to the owner.
Red jade beads. Photo: ptitsabeads.livemaster.ru
A Khotan jade ring helps in achieving goals and preserves family happiness. If you have a jade figurine in your house, then everything you plan will be accomplished faster and easier, but only as long as your goals are noble.
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The healing properties of jade are also extensive. Massage with jade plates can relieve pain and heal sprains, bruises and dislocations. This stone also helps in getting rid of various infectious and gastrointestinal diseases. It has a beneficial effect on a person’s sleep, relieving nightmares and insomnia.
general information
Jade color depends on the content of various impurities in the stone. As already mentioned, most often in nature there are variations of a green shade - from grass to emerald. A truly unique mineral will be yellow-brown.
The properties of jade are:
- Density - up to 3.5 units (on the Mohs scale).
- Hardness - up to 3.02 units.
- High degree of strength and toughness.
- Polishes well.
Jade mining continues continuously. Most of the deposits are located in places where igneous rocks are intruded. The largest sources where the mineral is mined are China, the Russian Federation, the USA, Brazil and Mexico. Blue pebbles are mined in large quantities in Transbaikalia. It is worth noting that resources are still far from being depleted.
Artificial jade is gaining more and more fans every year. It is valued primarily for its low cost. It is distinguished from the real thing by low light transmission and a sharp color transition.
Green jades in Russia are quite valuable. They help fight stress and ward off evil spirits. It's best to wear multiple pieces of jewelry, such as rings or earrings.
The pink stone is considered the protector of lovers. He has the power to give family well-being and mutual respect, but sometimes he develops cynicism in a person.
Red jade will be especially useful for spouses who have been living together for a long time. It helps restore relationships to their former novelty and ignites passion.
White jade clears thoughts of bad things, improves logical thinking, and gives its owner peace of mind. The mineral of this shade is most valued in the East. A perfectly shaped lotus colored stone can cost several thousand dollars.
Dark jade gives the owner wisdom and insight. The best birthday gift for your beloved man is a small figurine made of this mineral, because black stone improves reproductive function.
Which zodiac signs are jade suitable for?
Astrologers recommend wearing jade jewelry for people born under the sign of Virgo and Taurus. They will always be lucky in any endeavor. So, if Taurus wears a jade bracelet on their right hand, then they are guaranteed longevity, and in this case Virgo will experience great family happiness.
In addition, jade can be worn by Aquarius and Gemini.
But it is categorically not recommended for signs of the zodiac of the water element to wear jewelry with jade: Cancers, Scorpios and Pisces can become despondent from the excessive suppressive and stabilizing effect of the stone.
A little astrology
The stone is best suited for Aquarius. A jade bracelet will help you gain strength and protect you from failure. This zodiac sign is often skeptical about marriage. The mineral will help you believe in love.
Rings made of black jade will give Cancers confidence. The Cancer woman will become more restrained and flexible, while the stone will help the man to quickly climb the career ladder.
It will cure Pisces of laziness, anxiety, and will contribute to the accomplishment of important life actions. This zodiac sign is often unable to accept someone else's point of view. The stone will help correct this deficiency.
For an Aries woman, jade earrings will help get rid of conflict, stubbornness, and selfishness. And the properties of the black mineral will help you achieve inner harmony and improve mental balance.
Taurus is too independent. To achieve his goal, he stops at nothing. Precious green jade will make him softer and kinder.
With the help of such jewelry, Geminis will be able to get rid of inconstancy and gain faith in themselves.
The magical properties of the stone will also affect Leo. Jade products will help them to endure life’s difficulties with firmness.
Virgos cannot always achieve positive results in friendship. Jewelry will help you make new friends and treat others with understanding.
Libras can fall into inexplicable melancholy. Native jade produces a positive effect on them, dispels sorrows.
It is difficult to argue with Scorpios; they are too self-confident. Purple jade will help you find justice and make you listen to your opponent. A brooch made of mineral will dispel jealousy and groundless suspicions.
Sagittarians are overly impulsive and tend to go to extremes. Yellow jade will make them more restrained and protect them from impulses. In addition, it will improve the oratory abilities of representatives of this sign.
Capricorns are too proud and self-centered. Jade jewelry will help them find people who will accept these shortcomings. It's no secret that it is difficult for this zodiac sign to find a mate.
Myths and legends: what does the moon hare pound in a mortar?
Jade has been known and popular since the very dawn of humanity. Due to its strength, this stone was used by primitive people: arrowheads, knives and other tools were made from it. Therefore, another name for jade is “axe stone.” Jade has been considered a sacred stone in many civilizations.
Jade was especially revered in Ancient China. Here it was considered a national stone; seals were made from it, as well as plaques, which were valued on a par with coins. Jade discs and plates were used in various rituals. A musical instrument resembling a xylophone was made from thin slices of jade.
In Ancient China, it was believed that the five main properties of this mineral correspond to the spiritual qualities of a person: soft shine - kindness, strength - justice, inflexibility - courage, the sound that jade makes when struck - the ability to learn and science, and the impossibility of counterfeiting this stone symbolized purity. By the way, Confucius is credited with an expression that characterizes a good person: “His morals are as pure as jade.” In general, many Chinese proverbs dedicated to the moral and spiritual qualities of a person mention jade. In Chinese culture, this stone is a symbol of perfection, of all that is most precious and beautiful. It is no coincidence that it is believed that the throne of Buddha is made of jade. The epithet “jade” is very common, and the hieroglyph that denotes this stone is an integral part of many women’s names.
Of course, jade often appears in Chinese myths and legends. One of them says that he appeared on earth as a gift from the gods to one pious emperor, who prayed tirelessly, made generous sacrifices and led a pious life. The gods had a unique idea of the reward: jade stones, quite large, simply fell from the sky for three days and three nights. Residents of the city were already preparing for the end of their lives and were hiding in their houses. But the “rain” of stones stopped, and the emperor was the first of all to decide to look outside. He was surprised to see many unknown stones on the streets of the city. But as soon as he took one of them in his hands, all the wonderful properties of jade were immediately revealed to him. Since then, this mineral is sometimes called the imperial stone.
There is another version of the myth about the origin of jade. According to her, this stone appeared from the bone marrow of the giant Pangu, from whose body the earth, water, mountains, rivers and sky arose. True, in some sources this myth is not about jade, but about jadeite. These stones are related and similar, but still different from each other, for a long time they were considered the same mineral.
In ancient China, jade was revered as a stone capable of granting immortality, and this is also reflected in myths and legends. According to legend, the goddess Siwan-Mu, who holds the secret of immortality, lives in heaven on a jade mountain and bathes in a jade lake. There is a well-known Chinese legend about a jade hare that lives on the moon. Here is also the jade palace of Great Coolness - the home of the moon goddess Chang-e. She gives the moon hare pieces of jade, which he crushes in a mortar, creating an elixir of immortality.
Among the ancient Turkic peoples, jade was considered a stone of victory and was actively used in decorating military equipment, including swords. According to legend, Genghis Khan, who greatly revered this stone, had a personal jade seal with the image of a tiger. By the way, legends connect this mineral with the name of another great commander - Alexander the Great. They say that he had a jade pendant that brought good luck in battles. But the commander lost her on the banks of the Euphrates while swimming, and since then his luck has turned away from him.
In the mythology of the indigenous population of New Zealand - the Maori - jade also occupies a very important place. The people of this tribe handed down the stone from century to century, it was considered such a rare value. Pendants were cut out of it, depicting the figures of ancestors. To find jade, it was customary for the Maori to seek the help of a “specialist”. When seekers set out to mine a stone, they always took a sorcerer with them. At the supposed location of the mineral, he entered a trance state. Afterwards he told how he communicated with spirits who told him exactly where to look for jade. By the way, due to the significant historical role in Maori culture, New Zealand jade deposits have been placed under their management since 1997.
The Aztecs and Mayans, who lived in what is now Mexico, also held jade in high esteem. They valued this durable stone much higher than soft gold, which at one time greatly surprised the Spanish conquerors. The Indians of South America placed pieces of jade in the mouths of the dead to guarantee their resurrection in the future, and also decorated the dead with jade mosaics and rings. It was also believed that jade helps communicate with spirits. In addition, various healing properties were attributed to it. One of the Aztec legends says that from jade (according to another version - jadeite), the gods create an unborn baby, who is then placed in the mother’s womb. So this stone became a women's talisman that protects against infertility.
Care
Jade is an unpretentious semi-precious stone that does not require special care. You just need to follow the following rules:
- Periodically, it is recommended to carry out preventive cleaning; for this purpose, the stone or jewelry is placed in a soap solution, and then treated with a soft-bristled brush.
- If there is minor dirt or deposits, you can limit yourself to polishing the mineral using a soft piece of cloth.
- To decorate jewelry made from this stone, it is best to use reliable individual boxes or boxes.
Where is it mined?
The traditional deposit of the mineral was previously considered to be the Chinese province of Xinjiang, however, in the 18th century, the stone began to be actively mined in Burma. Soon, jade deposits began to be found all over the world. Nephrites are mined in the Eastern Sayan, namely in the Ulakhondinskoye, Ospinskoye and Bortolskoye deposits.
For a long time, Burma was considered the only deposit. Nowadays, in addition to China and Burma, jades are mined in Germany, Italy, Central Asia, India and Switzerland, as well as on the islands of Polynesia and the Pamirs.
