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| Jade or Nephrite from Russia - the difference |
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More Jade on ebay auction |
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Jade or Nephrite - the difference www.gemstone.org Jade – a gemstone of unique 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 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. Today, too, this gem is regarded as a symbol of the good, the beautiful and the precious. It embodies the Confucian virtues of wisdom, justice, compassion, modesty and courage, 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 organised by Christie's, can give some idea of the significance this gem has for the people of Asia. http://www.ruby-sapphire.com/ What is Jade? Over 2500 years ago, Gautama Buddha recognized that much of life involves pain and suffering. So few of us here on Earth have been provided with a glimpse of heaven. Instead, we mostly dwell in hell. But for the Chinese, there is a terrestrial bridge between heaven and hell – jade. While stones such as diamond are a relatively recent entry into Chinese culture, jade has a history stretching back thousands of years. In ancient China, jade was already used for making tools, weapons and ornaments. Jade's antiquity contributes an aura of eternity to this gem. Confucius, who wrote about its brilliance and beauty, praised jade as a symbol of righteousness and knowledge. en.wikipedia.org Many minerals are sold as jade. Some of these are: serpentine (also bowenite), carnelian, aventurine quartz, glass, grossularite, Vesuvianite, soapstone (and other steatites such as shoushan stone) and recently, Australian chrysoprase. "Korean jade," "Suzhou jade," "Styrian jade," "Canadian jade," "Olive jade" and "New jade" are all really serpentine; "Transvaal jade" is grossularite. Other names for faux jade are: "Honan jade," "Metajade" and "Xinjiang jade." Jade may be enhanced (sometimes call "stabilized"). There are three main methods, sometimes referred to as the ABC Treatment System: Type A jadeite has not been treated in any way except surface waxing. Type B treatment involves exposing a promising but stained piece of jadeite to chemical bleaches and/or acids and impregnating it with a clear polymer resin. This results in a significant improvement of transparency and color of the material. Currently, infrared spectroscopy is the only test for the detection of polymer in jadeite. Type C jade has been artificially stained or dyed. The red color of Red jade can be enhanced with heat. The effects are somewhat uncontrollable and may result in a dull brown. In any case, translucency is usually lost..... www.geo.utexas.edu Jadeite is a mineral that is restricted in occurrence to certain metamorphic rocks that have undergone metamorphism at high pressures but relatively low temperatures. Jadeite jade is found exclusively as nodular or lens-shaped masses in serpentinite. Nephrite jade, which is also a product of metamorphism (and fluid infiltration), does not apparently require the very special P-T conditions of jadeite and is much more widespread. It is also found in association with serpentinite in all known localities. Because of its extreme toughness in contrast to the weaker material it forms in (serpentine), jade is nearly always found as weathered boulders and cobbles in stream deposits or glacial sediment. Historically and presently important jade producing localities are: Upper Myanmar (Burma), near Tawmaw and Hpakon Sole source of Imperial Jade; since mid 1700's Highly prized by late dynastic Chinese Emperors. Also the source of Yunan jade (nephrite). Turkestan (central Asia between Iran and Siberia) Earliest known source of nephrite Used by early Chinese for carving Southern Fraser River drainage, British Columbia Fine nephrite, supports large industry Some nephrite as veins within serpentinite. Wyoming, near Lander; since 1936 Nephrite boulders, some very large (house-size), in glacial deposits that cover the chaparral and desert country around Lander. Some lovely green jade; also "golden jade", a golden brown variety. New Zealand, South Island Fine green nephrite originally carved by natives into religious objects and weapons Alaska, in Kobuk River Watershed at Jade Mountain Some cats' eye nephrite reported Fine greens and whites Others: Poland (white nephrite); Taiwan; Monterey Co., California (poor quality jadeite); Guatemala (green jadeite); Japan; U.S.S.R. (near Lake Baikal, green nephrite). |
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