Jade

Harmony • Letting Go of Emotions • Balance • Idea Generation • Prosperity, Luck & Abundance

Energetic properties

Jade is a cleansing and protective stone that promotes harmony and balance. It attracts prosperity, luck, and abundance. The stone supports self-realization and self-reliance and helps release negative emotions and irritation. It works on the heart chakra, enhancing love, care, and tolerance. Jade stimulates creativity and the willpower to bring ideas into reality.

Physically, jade is known for its detoxifying properties. It balances various body systems and helps remove toxins. It also has a positive effect on the (adrenal) kidneys, bladder, and nervous system.

Suitable for children from around 6 years old.

Formation

The term 'jade' refers to two different minerals: nephrite, a calcium magnesium silicate, and jadeite, a sodium aluminum silicate.

Nephrite is a metamorphic rock formed under intense pressure and high temperatures in the Earth’s crust. It originates from minerals like actinolite and tremolite, which crystallize and fuse during this process—a process that may take millions of years. Nephrite is commonly found in mountain ranges but can also appear in riverbeds and alluvial deposits due to water erosion.

Jadeite also forms through a metamorphic process under high pressure and temperature. It develops from the transformation of certain calcium- and magnesium-rich rocks like serpentinite. During this process, the minerals in the rock change, resulting in jadeite. It consists of a mix of different minerals, sometimes including nephrite. The precise formation depends on specific geological conditions and compositions and requires a long and intense metamorphic process.

Etymology

The name 'jade(ite)' is derived from the Spanish term 'piedra de ijada', meaning 'stone of the flank'. This refers to its historical use by ancient Mesoamerican cultures in rituals and healing practices, especially to relieve pain in the flank and kidney areas. The word ijada itself originates from Latin, meaning 'flank'.

'Nephrite', on the other hand, is named after the Greek word 'nephros', meaning 'kidney', also reflecting its traditional use in relieving pain in that region.

Care

Jade is relatively hard and durable and doesn’t require special care. It can be cleaned under running water and gently patted dry with a soft cloth. It may also be cleansed and recharged using sage, incense or moonlight.

Origin

Well-known sources include Myanmar (formerly Burma), China, Canada, New Zealand, Russia, Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States. Each location yields jade with unique characteristics. For example, Myanmar is famous for its high-quality green jade, while Canada often produces white nephrite jade.

Availability

Jade is a highly valued gemstone found in several regions around the world. High-quality, pure, and vividly colored jade specimens are relatively rare and can be (very) expensive. Value is highly dependent on factors such as color, transparency, texture, and the craftsmanship of the cut.

Because of its popularity, some other stones are marketed as jade or 'jade-like'. such as new jade or China jade, both of which are trade names for serpentine—a different mineral that resembles jade in appearance and energy but is not true jade.

Properties

Composition: n(NaAlSi₂O₆)
Hardness: 6.5-7
Density: 3.3-3.5

Associated with Jade