Jadeite and Nephrite Jade

The term "jade" refers to both nephrite and jadeite. Jadeite (pronounced jade-ite) is the finer type of jade. While some jadeite has been found in other areas, the exceptional, gem-quality jadeite is mined in Burma (or Myanmar).

There are six basic colors of jadeite: green, lavender, red, yellow, white and black. Green is the most traditional color and varies from deep emerald greens to apple greens and even black greens. Ideal shades are strong, vibrant and translucent, and shades that are very dark or very light are considered less desirable. However, white jade or "ice jade" is perfectly fused jade crystals. Unlike the other colors of jade, white jade is pure and lacks the color-inducing impurities.

It has been said that jade grows richer in color when it is worn by a person in good health, and illness drains the color. However, jade is not affected by perfumes, oils and most acids, so it does not actually change color.

For hundreds of years, jade has been carved into animals, religious figures and jewelry, including solid discs, rings and bangle bracelets. The rarity and beauty of jadeite has made emperors prize it and the wealthy covet it. In Chinese culture, important occasions such as birthdays, weddings and births are celebrated with the giving of jade.

Most gemstones are evaluated and priced based on their carat weight, but jade is sold by the piece. Because of the rarity of jadeite, there are never a lot of fine beads, bangles and necklaces in the marketplace, which can make the pieces very expensive. Color, clarity, carving style, texture and how much someone likes the jade are more important than its size. Fine gem-quality jade can be more expensive than diamonds or rubies.

On the contrary, nephrite jade is not rare and, therefore, not expensive. A fine jadeite cabochon could cost several thousand dollars or more, whereas a nephrite cabochon should be no more than $100. Since nephrite has been around for at least 5,000 years, antique nephrite carvings have value based on their age but not their gem quality.

Jade is the toughest gemstone, meaning it is hard to chip or break. However, diamonds are the hardest gemstone, which means they are hard to scratch. Jade can be scratched and abraded rather easily, but it is much harder to actually break them. While this toughness allows jade carvings to last for hundreds if not thousands of years, it also makes the actual carving difficult.

In 1953, an earthquake hit Southern California, including a small art shop in Santa Barbara. The shop sold carved vases and figurines made of quartz, rock crystal, beryl, coral and jade. When the owners returned to their store to see the damage, they were surprised to find that the most expensive pieces -- the jade -- were not damaged at all, and they had been on the highest shelves. In fact, pre-historic Europeans and Chinese used jade for axe heads, scrapers and instruments of war.

-Information from Mason-Kay and the Gemological Institute of America