DESCRIPTION:

Jade is another mineral in the family of precious stones; it is relatively hard and was found in the 19th century. It is a mixture of two minerals: jadeite and nephrite. It was believed that this gemstone could cure all ailments connected with the kidney, and thus came to be known as nephrite.

As time passed, it was discovered that these two stones are different, except for their appearance and color. Both stones are also known for their hardness and toughness. Jade is typically green, but it can also be pink, red, black, and brown. Variations in color are common in this precious stone and are distributed evenly only in its purest form. It is hard to find this gemstone without any blemishes, but this is not considered something of low quality because these veins and blemishes make the gemstone look beautiful and are considered valuable. These patterns are rare and admired by many in the fashion world.

This precious gem is mostly found in China, New Zealand, Russia, and Switzerland. It is usually set in bracelets and necklaces. Jade carving, a method by which all unwanted materials present in this gem are removed, enhances its shine to make it brighter like a mirror.

There are many myths associated with this beautiful gem. It is believed that wearing this gem brings peace and balance. Despite little being known about this gem, its wonderful color and fine texture have earned it a high position among precious stones.

This valuable gem can be tested for authenticity by holding it in your hand. A genuine one takes time to warm up when held and its smooth nature makes it comfortable to hold for long periods. The texture of this stone can be very fine or medium, depending on the size of the stone and the hardness of the crystal. The purity of this green crystal is tested by its transparency. A pure jade is semi-transparent, allowing light to pass through it, though the image seen through it will be slightly blurred.

The size of this crystal stone is measured in millimeters. The cost of this precious gem varies according to its size. The larger the stone, the higher its price, and simultaneously, its quality is also taken into consideration. The value of this gem is also determined by the cut of the stone. Stones cut into round shapes hold more commercial value. As mentioned earlier, both the size and weight contribute to the value of jade.

This fascinating gemstone is cherished by collectors and jewelry lovers alike. It is considered a wonderful gem by both ancient and modern jewelry designers. This precious stone is believed to bring joy, happiness, and positive vibrations to the wearer. With all these positive qualities, exceptional beauty, and wonderful colors, this stone has earned an important place in the gem family.

MINING AND PROCESSING:

Jade mining involves the extraction of jadeite or nephrite, which are both classified under the broad term "jade." This mining process typically occurs in regions known for jade deposits, such as Myanmar, Canada, China, Russia, New Zealand, and various other parts of the world.

The mining methods used for jade can vary widely depending on the geological characteristics of the deposit. In some cases, jade is found in alluvial deposits, where miners extract it from river beds or sedimentary layers. Other times, jade is embedded in hard rock formations, requiring more intensive mining techniques such as tunneling, drilling, and blasting.

Overall, jade mining is a complex process that requires careful management of geological resources, environmental impacts, and social responsibilities to ensure sustainable extraction and utilization of this precious gemstone.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES:

• Color : Virtually all colors, mostly green

• Crystal habit : Intergrown grainy or fine fibrous aggregate

• Twinning :  zu

• Cleavage : None

• Fracture : Splintery

• Tenacity : Brittle

• Hardness :  6–7

• Diaphaneity : Translucent, opaque

• Specific gravity : 2.9–3.38

• Refractive Index :  1.600–1.688

• Birefringence :  0.020–0.027

• Dispersion : None

• Pleochroism : Absent

NATURAL OCCURRENCE:

• Myanmar

  Currently, Myanmar is believed to be the source of over 70% of the global supply of high-quality jadeite. Most of this jadeite isn't processed within Myanmar itself; instead, it is exported to other Asian countries where it is used for making jewelry and various other products. The jadeite deposits located in Kachinland, situated in northern Myanmar, are renowned for their exceptional quality, regarded as precious since ancient times, notably in China dating back to the 10th century.
  
  Jadeite in Myanmar is predominantly found in the "Jade Tract" situated in Lonkin Township within Kachin State, located in the northern part of the country. This area covers the alluvial plains of the Uyu River between the 25th and 26th parallels. Current jade extraction activities focus on mines such as Phakant-gyi, Maw Sisa, Tin Tin, and Khansee. Among these, Khansee is notable for producing maw sit sit, a type of jade rock rich in kosmochlor.
  
  The mines at Tawmaw and Hweka have largely depleted their resources. From 1964 to 1981, jade mining was exclusively under the control of the Myanmar government. Subsequent modifications to the Gemstone laws in 1981, 1985, and 1995 progressively allowed for increased private enterprise in the sector.
  
  Apart from the Jade Tract, significant jade deposits are also found in the neighboring Sagaing District near the towns of Nasibon, Natmaw, and Hkamti. It's important to note that Sagaing District belongs to Myanmar proper and is not part of Kachin State.

• New Zealand

  In New Zealand, some of the world's finest nephrite jade is known as Pounamu among the Maori, the indigenous people. It is also commonly referred to as greenstone, a name bestowed by early explorers and settlers in the eighteenth century. Nephrite jade from New Zealand is renowned for its rich colors, often displaying natural occlusions or darker veins. Among the most highly prized varieties is flower jade, distinguished by pale green or ochre cloud-like patterns. These unique markings result from oxidation on the outer rim or 'rind' of jade boulders and stones.
  
  Maori culture deeply values jade, focusing particularly on these natural patterns which evoke imagery of forests, rivers, and clouds.

• Canada

  Canada boasts some of the world's largest and most significant jade deposits, primarily located in British Columbia within the Cassiar, Lillooet, and Omineca regions. Jade is also found in the Yukon Territory and Quebec. The term "jade" encompasses various colors including green, white, black, or yellow-brown, composed of either Na-rich pyroxene (jadeite) or prismatic to acicular amphiboles of the tremolite-actinolite series (nephrite).

• Taiwan

  Taiwan Jade, a variety of nephrite primarily composed of minerals like tremolite and actinolite, exhibits a distinctive green hue. It originates from the Laonao Mountain region in Hualien County, Taiwan. Discovered by Liao Hsueh-Cheng in 1956, significant mining operations began in 1965. However, production has gradually decreased since 1978 due to declining output levels.

• Russia

  For many years, Russia relied on importing jade from China until its own jade deposits were discovered in Siberia in the 1860s. Presently, the primary jade deposits are located in Eastern Siberia, with additional extraction occurring in the Polar Urals and the Krasnoyarsk territory, specifically at the Kantegirskoye and Kurtushibinskoye deposits. Russia's estimated raw jade reserves total approximately 336 tons.

• Siberia

  During the 1950s and 1960s, many Siberians held a strong belief rooted in tradition that jade belonged to a category of sacred objects imbued with life.

• Mongolia

  Similarly, during the 1950s and 1960s, many Mongolians upheld an ancient tradition believing that jade was among a revered class of sacred objects believed to possess life.