What is Jade?

Jade is the name of a beautiful and durable material that is most notably used in ancient Chinese culture. Jade is considered the gemstones of divinity and royalty, and it has been in use for over five thousand years now. We can say that jade has been around since the dawn of pre-modern human civilization, and it has accompanied us through several eras of societal upheavals.

In antiquity, jade was used primarily to manufacture weapons like axes, blades, ornamental objects like vases and statues. Of course, jade jewelry is always consistently produced no matter the era.

Believe it or not, people used jade tools and weapons because this material did not break easily, and it is even harder than your regular kitchen knife. Amazing is the least we can say about this mineral gem, and we’re about to find out more about jade in today’s Jade Blog.


Where is Jade Found?

The largest deposits of jade around found around the Pacific Rim. Slabs of lithospheric rocks are transported in regions where there are volcanic island arcs and similar mining areas. Jade is mined not just Burma, but also in many parts of South America, the United States, Eastern Asia, Canada, and New Zealand. Commercial qualities of jade are found in these regions.

Historically, it was extremely challenging to mine and transport large blocks of jade so they can be processed into tools, weapons, and jewelry. Back in the day, there were no cars or trucks – just people and animal transportation like horses and mules.

Today, jade can now be ferried across highways with large trucks, and where roads are inaccessible, mining companies sometimes use helicopters with slings to transport slabs of jade rock. Take note that not all slabs of jade are of high value. There is no way to tell if an entire block of jade is high-value because freshly unearthed, they look just like other rocks – blurry, dusty, and dirty.

Some jewelers and manufacturers gamble on purchasing large quantities of jade, hoping that they can accrue sufficient high-quality jade to offset their expenses. This is a considerable risk for manufacturers because often, large blocks of rough gemstones are only partially smoothened out in one area to reveal what’s inside. This still does not provide sufficient information, so it’s a real gamble to invest in jade this way.


How Many Jade Colors Are There?

There are several primary colors of jade that are considered commercially important.

Deep green jade

Also known as the Empress jade. This jade type has a deep and powerful green color that is considered the sterling standard for high-quality jade. Gemologists describe intense green jade as the boldest-looking of all jade types.

It has a strong presence and shows all of the refinement of this mineral that has placed it among the stars of the gem world. Metaphysically, intense green jade represents abundance, peace, and eternal wealth. To the Chinese, intense green jade is the source of the term “money flows.”

It has a secure link to the idea of building wealth and creating massive amounts of prosperity, which is why the wealthy Chinese tend to splash intense green jade in their homes and businesses, both as a symbol of luck and to attract even more abundance to their homes and businesses.

Light green jade

The light green jade is considered the more common choice for people who want to use this material to attract wealth and abundance. It has a softer but no less majestic presence. The feminine side of jade, that many people find alluring, like diamonds.

The metaphysical properties of light green jade are equal to the properties of intense green jade, so both can be used for feng shui, and you will get the same results, as long as you perform the correct alignments in your business or home.

Lavender jade

An exquisite specimen of jade, lavender jade is also called the “dainty lavender,” and is considered the Duchess jade of the family.

Regal, commanding, and always a head-turner, the lavender jade is admirable for its light color saturation that seems to bring the best of nature to your hands. Metaphysically, lavender jade represents the subtle emotional body and has a higher frequency transmission than all the other jade types.

Black jade

The black jade is mysterious, and rightly so because black gems are finely tuned to the earth and its subtle healing powers. Also known as the Monarch jade, the black jade rules over the other jade types with silence and a wizened eye. It is used as a defensive ward against negativity and psychic attacks.

White jade

A most balanced type of jade. White jade represents purity and self-control, which is why it is also known as the New Age jade. It represents youthfulness and vibrancy. It can help people focus on the task at hand, so they can become more productive and, ultimately, happier with the work they do.


Jade Value

The value of jade varies from specimen to specimen. Some jade cuts can cost only $10 per carat, while others will fetch thousands of dollars per piece. The age, history, cut, and polish will contribute to the value of a finished jade product. Jade items of antiquity will fetch hefty prices, while mass-market jewelry is not so expensive.


Which Jade Color is Most Valuable?

The intense green jade or Empress jade is the most expensive type of jade because of its color saturation, scarcity, and internal characteristics. Like other gemstones, the highest quality gems are free of internal inclusions, have high fire and clarity, and correspond to the finest cuts for that material.

Like we said before, jade pieces and collections that have plenty of history will fetch a higher value than newly crafted ones. Jade artifacts that are displayed in museums and exhibits can cost millions of dollars quickly. A single jade collection sold for more than twenty million dollars in Hong Kong recently, too. We can say that jade holds its own in terms of value to high-value items like diamond collections or rubies.