The myth of Jade

Jade – a gemstone of exclusive symbolic energy, and unique in the myths that surround it. With its beauty and wide-ranging expressiveness, jade has held a special attraction for mankind for thousands of years.

This gem, with its tactful yet rather greasy sheen, which comes in many fine nuances of green, but also in shades of white, grey, black, yellow, and orange and in subtle violet tones, has been known to Man for some 7000 years. In prehistoric times, however, it was respected 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 huge Chinese empire, jade has always had a very special meaning, 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. Today, too, this gem is regarded as a symbol of the good, the good-looking and the valuable. It embodies the Confucian qualities of wisdom, justice, sympathy, modesty and bravery, yet it also symbolises the female-erotic. A visit to the jade market, be it in Hong Kong or Rangoon, or at one of the Hong Kong jade auctions prearranged by Christie's, can give some idea of the importance this gem has for the people of Asia.However, as long ago as the pre-Columbian period, the Mayas, Aztecs and Olmecs of Central America also advantaged and respected jade more highly than gold. New Zealand's Maoris began carving weapons and cult instruments from native jade in early times, a custom which has continued to the present day. In ancient Egypt, jade was well-liked as the stone of love, inner peace, harmony and balance. In other regions and cultures too, jade was regarded as a lucky or protective stone; yet it had nowhere near the meaning that it had in Asia, which was most probably due to the fact that people knew comparatively little about this charming gem. Luckily however, in recent times, people's understanding of this gem, which fascinates not only the connoisseurs by its perfect interplay of hardness and toughness with an enthralling range of colours and fine sheen, has improved; and their regard for it has been on the increase all over the world.

What is Jade?

'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 having been documented by the Amerindians as a remedy for kidney ailments. Because of its advantageous effect on the kidneys, the stone was also known as lapis nephriticus. That, indeed, is where the term 'nephrite' came from.

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 distinguish between them, since they bear a substantial resemblance to each other in terms of their look, their hardness and the properties they exhibit when being processed. Both are tough, since they consist of intense, close-grained, matted aggregates, but they differ from one another in their chemical composition and colours. Nephrite ranges mostly 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 dispersed varies a great deal. Only in the very finest jade is the colour evenly dispersed. 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 expensive.

What distinguishes good Jade?

For collectors as well as jewellery lovers, jade is a charming gemstone. In Asia, above all, it is composed as an antique. Besides the quality of the gem and its dispensation, religion and faith also play an important role. In the West, many people favour to collect jade in the form of snuff-boxes, cigarette holders, small bowls or rings. Since each collector has his or her own taste and his or her own likings with regard to colour, style and shape, it is no easy matter giving significant advice on the purchase of jade objects.