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Jade Cabochons
This gem, with its discreet yet rather greasy lustre,
which comes in many fine nuances of green, but also in shades of white, grey, black, yellow, and orange and in delicate violet
tones, has been known to Man for some 7000 years. In prehistoric times, however, it was esteemed rather more for its toughness,
which made it an ideal material for weapons and tools. Yet as early as 3000 B.C. jade was known in China as 'yu', the 'royal
gem'. In the long history of the art and culture of the enormous Chinese empire, jade has always had a very special significance,
roughly comparable with that of gold and diamonds in the West. Jade was used not only for the finest objects and cult figures,
but also in grave furnishings for high-ranking members of the imperial family. long ago as the pre-Columbian period,
the Mayas, Aztecs and Olmecs of Central America also honoured and esteemed jade more highly than gold. New Zealand's Maoris
began carving weapons and cult instruments from native jade in early times, a tradition which has continued to the present
day.
'Jade', or yu, as it is called
in China, is strictly speaking a generic term for two different gems, nephrite and jadeite. The name is derived from the Spanish
'piedra de ijada', loin-stone, jade because the natives of Central America believed it to be a remedy for kidney ailments. Jadeite and nephrite are both regarded in China as 'zhen yu',
'genuine jade'. It was not until the beginning of the 19th century that mineralogists and gemmologists started to differentiate
between them, since they bear a considerable resemblance to each other in terms of their appearance, their hardness and the
properties they exhibit when being processed. Both are tough, since they consist of dense, close-grained, matted aggregates,
but they differ from one another in their chemical composition and colours. Nephrite ranges mainly from mid to dark green
or grey-green, but it can also be white, yellowish or reddish. Rarer, and somewhat tougher, jadeite displays hues which include
green, but also white or pink, and reds, blacks, browns and violets. In both minerals, the way the colour is distributed varies
a great deal. Only in the very finest jade is the colour evenly distributed. Both nephrite and jadeite often have veins, blemishes
and streaks running through them, though these may not always be regarded as flaws. On the contrary, some of these patterns
are considered particularly valuable.
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Exquisite specimen of this much sought after jadeite material from Big Sur, California cut into an attractive free-form
cabochon great for a pendant or large ring. Approx. size: 12x28 Weight: 13.65 cts.
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Fantastic, petite jewelry point cut from bright green and white jade with black highlights from Myanmar. Approx.
size: 5(4)x5(4)x24 Weight: 8.95 cts.
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I'm not sure where this transluscent jade comes from, possibly California(?), but it ranges from dark green to almost
white and has black markings throughout. There are large areas of the piece I cut this from that are totally black.
Approx. size: 4(3)x5(4)x37 Weight:10.3 cts.
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Another great jewelry point! This one is cut from dark green Wyoming jade that has scattered chatoyant patches
that reflect light with a silvery hue. Approx. size: 5x7(5)x38 Weight: 16.35 cts.
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