JADE

ARCHANGELS:

Raphael and Raziel

COLOURS:

Green, lavender, white, black, yellow, red, brown and blue.

THE ORIGINS:

History and Mythology

Origins and meaning of the name

History, variety and significance of a thousand-year-old stone

Jade is a fascinating gemstone, revered for thousands of years in various cultures around the world for its beauty and symbolic and healing properties. Often associated with luck, health and spirituality, it is a gemstone that combines deep cultural meanings with extraordinary natural elegance.

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The two varieties: jadeite and nephrite

The term "Jade" actually refers to two separate minerals:

• Jadeite, the rarest and most valuable variety, with bright colours and greater transparency.

• Nephrite, more common and less bright, but very durable.

Although they share a green color, they differ in chemical composition, hardness and value.

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Origins and meaning of the name:

The name "Jade" comes from the Spanish expression "Piedra de Ijada," or "stone of the hips," since it was believed to help treat kidney pain. In fact, the Greek term "Nephrite" also refers to the kidney s(nephros), emphasizing the ancient therapeutic use of this stone.

In China it is called "Yu," meaning "heavenly" or "imperial," reflecting its sacredness and noble role in Eastern culture. It was considered a symbol of purity, immortality and inner harmony.

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Meaning and Symbolism:

Jade is traditionally considered:

Good luck charm and talisman of abundance and health

Stone related to the heart chakra, love and serenity

An ideal gift for weddings, birthdays, new life stages or spiritual events

In China, jade is a symbol of purity, harmony, virtue and immortality. Considered more precious than gold.

In ancient times, Mayans and Aztecs used it to treat side pains in the body - hence the name "hip stone" (piedra de ijada).

In Feng Shui, it promotes prosperity, health and protection.

It is believed to reflect the soul of the wearer, shining in serene times and dimming in difficult ones.

Often used in protective bracelets - they are said to break instead of the body, protecting the wearer.

For the Aztecs and Maya, jade was sacred, connected to spirituality and the life-death cycle.

Confucius described it as the embodiment of the moral virtues: kindness, honesty, wisdom, courage and modesty.

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History and significance:

A thousand-year journey through the history of jade

Jade has accompanied humanity for more than 7,000 years, initially used to make weapons and tools in various ancient civilizations, especially in East Asia and Central America.

In China, jade (represented by the character "Yu" as early as 2000 B.C.) had a strong spiritual value. It symbolized the connection between nature and heaven, and was often carved in the forms of sacred animals such as dragons and turtles.

With the Zhou dynasty, the significance of jade shifted from the spiritual to the social plane, becoming a symbol of status and prestige. A notable example are the lavish jade funerary robes reserved for the Han Dynasty imperial elite, made from thousands of tiles.

In the 18th century, Emperor Qianlong, who was a great fan of jade, collected large numbers of it and even wrote poems celebrating it.

The Maya also considered it a sacred stone, reserved exclusively for rulers and elders. They made ritual masks, scepters and pendants with it, often related to the worship of the sun god, Kinich Ahau.

A crucial step in the modern history of jade came in 1863, when French mineralogist Alexis Damour discovered that the two main varieties, jadeite and nephrite, had distinct chemical compositions. This discovery paved the way for the modern scientific understanding of jade formation.

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History and cultural uses:

Uses and craftsmanship beauty

• Very workable: carved into traditional figures (dragons, Buddhas, butterflies...), jewellery, accessories, practical objects.

• Jewellery for men and women, from delicate pendants to massive rings and cabochons.

• Famous pieces such as the "Doubly fortunate necklace" (sold for over $9 million) and the "Jade Cabbage" show its cultural and artistic magnificence.

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Composition and Formation:

Treatments and quality

Jade can undergo treatments to improve its appearance: acid bleaching, polymer impregnation and dyeing.

The grade of the jadeite indicates how natural it is:

• • Grade A: natural, not dyed or impregnated

  • Grade B: bleached and impregnated, but not dyed

  • Grade C: dyed and impregnated

  • Grade D: not authentic jadeite

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Colour and Appearance:

Jade comes in many hues: green, lavender, white, black, orange, yellow, and gray.
The most coveted colour by far is the vivid, semi-transparent emerald green, known as Imperial Jade, sourced exclusively from Myanmar (Burma).

In different cultures, colour preferences vary:

• West: deep green

• Far East: pure white, yellow with pinkish hues, imperial green

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Primary sources:

Provenance - Geographical origin

Jadeite forms deep underground under heat and pressure, while nephrite forms closer to the surface.

Most of the world's jadeite comes from Myanmar, the only source of the rare imperial jade.

Other producing countries include Canada, Japan, China, Russia, Guatemala, Brazil and the United States.

Jadeite: Myanmar (exclusive source of the imperial), Guatemala, Japan, Russia, USA...

Nephrite: most widespread - found in China, New Zealand, Canada, Russia, Australia, Poland, etc.

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Type, Cut and Use

Due to its abundance and workability:

It is widely used for mosaics, wall tiles and decorative objects

In jewellery, it is mostly cut into cabochons (oval, drop or spherical shape)

It has also been used in monumental architecture, as in the columns of St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg or the Uffizi and St. Peter's in Italy.

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What is the most valuable jade?

Imperial Jade (deep emerald green, semi-transparent jadeite) is considered the rarest and most coveted quality, sourced mainly from:

• Burma (Myanmar)

• Yunnan (China)

• Guatemala

It has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, is very durable and is perfect for creating fine jewellery.

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Chakra:

4th ANAHATA - the heart

✅ Activation of chakras: Stone related to the heart chakra, love and serenity

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PROPERTIES, CHARACTERISTICS AND BENEFITS:

Mineralogical Characteristics:

• Jadeite: rarer, harder (6.5-7 Mohs), glassy luster, intense colour.

• Nephrite: more common, slightly less hard (6-6.5 Mohs), waxy or oily sheen.

• Both are incredibly tough, that is, impact resistant, due to the interconnected crystal structure.

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Technical characteristics:

Outward appearance: often misleading. Many similar materials are passed off as jade.

Specific gravity test: the most reliable method to distinguish it from imitations.

Sound test (music box): by lightly striking the material, nephrite makes a musical sound, while jadeite does not.

Hardness (Mohs Scale):

• • Jadeite: 6.5 - 7

  • Nephrite: 6 - 6.5

Density:

• • Jadeite: heavier (3.30-3.38)

  • Nephritis: lighter (2.90-3.03)

Luster:

• • Nephritis: vitreous to fatty

  • Jadeite: generally fat

Transparency: opaque or translucent

Crystals: monoclinic (unlike many imitations)

Jewellery personalized with your energy

Choosing a Jade is not just a purchase, it is an act of self-love. Each gemstone holds a unique energy: green for healing, lavender for intuition, black for protection, white for purity.

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Curiosities and Zodiac Signs:

It is considered a mystical March good luck stone and a zodiac gemstone for the signs Taurus and Libra, known for their love of beauty.

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♉ Jade and Taurus: a perfect match

Taurus is an Earth sign, ruled by Venus, the planet of love, beauty and sensory pleasures. People born under this sign are practical, patient, loyal and deeply connected with the material and natural world.

Jade is an ideal stone for Taurus because it embodies balance, stability and well-being - all qualities that resonate with the sign's energy.

Benefits of jade for Taurus:

• Emotional stability: helps Taurus manage emotions better and not get stuck in states of rigidity or stubbornness.

• Fertility and abundance: being a stone linked to prosperity, it promotes financial success and rootedness -two aspects very dear to Taurus.

• Inner harmony: promotes calm and serenity, strengthening Taurus' natural inclination for peace and beauty.

• Love and relationships: enhances Venus' energy, improving emotional communication and the ability to attract authentic and lasting relationships.

Type of jade recommended for Taurus.:

• Light green or emerald jade: intensifies connection with nature and the heart, fostering love, compassion and emotional healing.

• White jade: useful for purifying and bringing mental clarity, perfect for times when Taurus feels confused or overwhelmed.

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♎ Jade and Libra: harmony and elegance in perfect harmony

Libra is an Air sign, also ruled by Venus, the planet of love, beauty, art and relationships. Libra people seek balance, harmony and are naturally attracted to what is aesthetically beautiful and spiritually fulfilling.

Jade, with its calm energy and refined beauty, is a perfect match for the Libra soul, helping this sign maintain inner serenity and strengthen emotional bonds.

Benefits of jade for Libra:

• Emotional and mental balance: perfect for harmonizing thoughts and emotions, jade helps Libra make decisions with more clarity and confidence.

• Strengthening relationships: enhances affective communication and mutual respect, two fundamental pillars for a Libra.

• Spiritual growth: stimulates intuition and connection to one's inner centre, useful at times when Libra tends to scatter.

• Beauty and refinement: jade is also a symbol of grace and elegance - values deeply valued by Libra.

Type of jade recommended for Libra:

• Lavender or lilac jade: ideal for enhancing spirituality, mental calm and intuition.

• Light green jade: perfect for bringing balance between heart and mind, fostering sincere relationships and emotional stability.

In summary, jade helps Libra feel centred, inspired, and connected to their highest aspirations. It is a stone that nourishes both aesthetics and soul, just the way they like it.

Traditionally, it is also the symbol of the 12th wedding anniversary as a gift of love and appreciation.

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CLEANING AND RECHARGING:

Care and maintenance

Although it is durable, jade should be treated with care:

• ❌ Avoid steam, ultrasound, shock, and rubbing against other gems.

• ❌ Not ammonia

• ✅ Cleaning with lukewarm water and mild soap.

• ✅ Store separately in a soft cloth.