The Jade stone is an ancient gem with an ancestral importance that still passed from generation to generation. The stone is a vestige of the archaeological past of different cultures, such as the Mayan and Chinese, and is supplemented by a set of beliefs and traditions that have this beautiful gem as their protagonist and symbol of love, good luck, immortality, eternity, beauty, virtue and prosperity.
Like other wonders, the jade stone has countless curiosities that make it even more interesting that without a doubt transcend the history of this stone.
Now, let’s discover some of these jade curiosities that most probably where unknown for many of us:
When the Spanish conquistadors arrived in Mayan lands, they gave them as an offering what they considered a priceless gem, jade stones. The conquistador Hernan Cortes didn’t know the importance and value of jade, despised and rejected the offering. He was expecting a large amount of gold.
The Latin name of the Jade stone is “nephriticus lapis” meaning kidney stone; it earned its name due to its effectiveness for the relief of kidney ailments. Hence, the Maya grant it healing properties.
In Burma, there is one of the largest deposits of the green imperial jade, but due to its excessive exploitation and smuggling, reserves are running low; and the devastation of the areas surrounding the jade mines are deplorable.
The most important deposits of jade are found in Guatemala and Burma, but there are other natural reserves of this mineral in Switzerland, Russia and the United States. Still, for the latter countries is not profitable to extract this mineral due to the remote locations where it lays. Japan also has reserves, but it is regarded as a sacred stone, thus, it is not exploded.
The main imperial jade traders are the Chinese, who are heading to Mandalay in northern Burma, in the world’s largest jade market, to buy and sell jade stones.
Moreover, in 2014, the most expensive jade necklace in the world was sold in an auctioned for the price of 27.44 million dollars; this necklace had Chinese jades’ stones from the Qing Dynasty. In 1933, the Cartier jewelers had set a beautiful pendant with rubies and diamonds finishes. A funny fact about this necklace is that it was originally bought by a tycoon billionaire as a wedding gift for his daughter, and it cost about 55 thousand dollars. Excellent savings, don’t you think.
It is nice reading some facts about jade stones, I love them and think they are absolutely wonderful. I have a few and I feel they attract happiness!!
Definitely historical facts are related to our daily objects. It is interesting to find out how far back this gemstone is connected to our countries and traditions.