Learn More about Jade / Greenstone What Is Jade? Well, to start with, there are two kinds of Jade: their geological names are Jadeite and Nephrite. The common names for Nephrite are Greenstone or in Maori - Pounamu.
Jadeite is found in an area around
northern Burnese border with China. Nephrite is found in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Russia, Wyoming and in other small deposits around world.
Jadeite is a silicate of sodium and aluminium. Nephrite is a silicate of calcium and magnesium.
Do they look different? Yes, Jadeite is a rare mineral and lighter brighter colours have greatest value. Nephrite is richer in colour with interesting inclusions, rivers and other variations of colour. It can be either dark or light - from almost black-green, through greens, rust to light, - nearly white in colour.
Is one kind of Jade more valuable than other? No, preference is personal. Some people like dark stone and some prefer light coloured stone. The preferences generally depend on where you come from - your ethnicity. There are two schools of thought to be aware of: Maori school and Asian school of Jade appreciation. The Maori school prefers their stone to be rich in colour, either dark or light, with interesting inclusions, rivers and other variations. The Asian school has developed over last 5,000 years and prefers lighter brighter colours with clarity and purity.
Why is Jade called Greenstone in New Zealand? This name came from first European explorers who came to New Zealand in eighteenth century and saw Maori people wearing Jade tiki and other ornaments. They didn't realise it was Jade and called it Greenstone and name has stayed.
What should I look out for when buying Jade? Check for cracks. Hold piece up to light and study it carefully. If there are any cracks they will be a point of weakness and could cause your piece to break later on. Look for richness of colour. Some Jade can be muddy or dull in colour. Look for translucence. The beauty of Jade is seen in way light reflects and moves through stone.
Where does jade come from? Many of you will be familiar with Chinese jade in form of carvings and jewelry items such as bracelets and small carved pendants. You'll know that Chinese jade comes in varying shades - from almost white to bright green. Chinese jade is jadeite -a chemically distinct mineral from nephrite, type of jade found in New Zealand. While jadeite is a silicate of sodium and aluminum, nephrite is a silicate of calcium and magnesium.
Jade from New Zealand Commercial quantities of Nephrite jade are found in only a few countries in world besides New Zealand - Australia, China, Russia and Canada. New Zealand has some of finest nephrite jade in world. In New Zealand, nephrite jade is named Pounamu, by Maori, indigenous people of New Zealand, and is also referred to as greenstone, a name given to it by early explorers and settlers to New Zealand who first came in eighteenth century. Nephrite jade is very rich in colour. It is often marked with occlusions or darker colours running through it. The most prized nephrite jade in New Zealand is flower jade, jade with pale green or ochre clouds of colour. This distinctive patterning and colouring comes from outside rim or 'rind' of jade boulders or stones where surface has oxidized. Maori appreciation of jade centres on these features: patterns that seem to evoke images of forests, rivers and clouds.
