Jade jewelry
Jade is a translucent gemstone. The term jade is applicable for two different gemstones called jadeite and nephrite, composed of different silicate minerals. Jadeite consists of jadeite, which is a sodium and pyroxene, which is rich in aluminum. The jade nephrite is made up of calcium and actinolite, which is a magnesium rich amphibole mineral. The term jade is derived from the Spanish word "piedra de ijada" or loin stone. Jade was known as a remedy for kidney ailments and hence the name. The stone was also called "lapis nephriticus" in Latin because of its positive effect on the kidneys. The word nephrite is derived from this term.
Till the 19th century, jade was considered as one and it was only after this period that mineralogists and gemologists started to differentiate between the two stones, jadeite and nephrite. Both gems are similar in appearance and this is why for centuries they have been considered as one and the same stone. There are a few differences that help to determine one from the other, the first being their chemical compositions. Nephrite is found more commonly than jadeite and is, as a result, less expensive. Jadeite is the rarer of the two. Nephrite jade is found in fewer colors than jadeite. These colors include mid to dark green, grayish green, white, yellow or red. Jadeite is also found in a variety of colors including green, white, violet, pink, red, black, yellow and orange. Both stones can be found in a wide range of shade. On the Moh's scale, jadeite measures 7 and nephrite 6.5. This means that jadeite is tougher and stronger than nephrite and is more suitable for making jewelry.
The color is distributed in both gemstones in various different ways. It is usual for jade to have veins, blemishes and streaks running through them. These are not usually regarded as flaws since it adds to the beauty of the stone. In fact, some designs make the stone more valuable. The even distribution of color in jade is very rare and is seen only in the best jade. Imperial Jade is one such stone. This name is given to an evenly colored, translucent emerald green jadeite.
Jadeite is a rare mineral found in less than 12 places around the world. Burma provides most of the jadeite to the world. Guatemala also provides good quality jadeite. Nephrite is more easily available and has been mined in the Xinjiang province of China for centuries. Nephrite supplies have been found in Canada and many other countries.
The variety in bright colors and well as its hardness make jade a very good stone for jewelry making. Jade jewelry has been worn since centuries. It can be beautifully shaped in different forms and polished to give a lustrous shiny look. Due to its hardness, it can also be worked on with quartz or garnet sand to impart a specific pattern to it. It also takes well to polishing with bamboo and ground jade. The beauty of this gem has made it valuable for ornaments and decorative objects.
The journey of jade from the mines to the jewelry showroom is interesting. Unwanted material in the stone is removed during the cutting process. The raw material is processed with carborundum and diamond powder and polished. Jade jewelry looks good if it is slim and slender. So jade bracelets and jade pendants are the most common forms of jewelry. Jade is usually processed into slender figures, filigree images or thin-walled vessels. Round, cylindrical and flat shapes are also used to make necklaces.
There are three qualities of jade that can be enhanced with the help of ABC Treatment System. Type A jadeite is excellent quality jade and has not been treated in any way except for surface polishing and waxing. This is one of the most expensive gemstones in the world and is sometimes even more expensive than diamonds. Type B treatment Is to inject a stained piece of jadeite with polymer to improve the transparency and color. Type C jadeite is artificially dyed and the effects are uncontrollable. This quality of jadeite is usually worthless. While buying jade jewelry, it is always better to buy Type A jade.
There are other things that should be taken into account as well while buying jade jewelry. Uniform color is an indication of quality but multicolor jade in beautiful patterns makes good jewelry and can be a good buy too. It is also important to remember that translucent jade is more attractive and is used more often in jewelry making than opaque jade. Cracks and flaws are indicative of inferior quality grade and it might break spoiling the piece of jewelry. One can also test to see whether there is polymer in the jade to intensify its color by infrared spectroscopy. It is important to visit a reputed and well known dealer who will give you genuine jewelry as well as reasonable prices.
This gemstone, which was accorded a high position in the ancient Chinese, Korean and Maori cultures, is today one of the most valuable and beautiful gemstone in the world. Fascinating women the world over, jade jewelry is suitable for almost every occasion.
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