During nearly 7,000 years jade was considered of great value, and it acquired fame and prestige in many western and eastern cultures. Since ancient times to present, it has reached an impressive development regarding work craft and confection of a variety of colors and lovely pieces.
Its name goes back to the Spanish conquest´s period, the conquerors highly estimated jade for its unmistakable beauty.
However, this stone has been adored in China too. Confucius, a philosopher of VI century b. C, used to say that jade was soft, smooth and bright as benevolence; compact, beautiful and strong as intelligence; of sharp edges, but without cutting, as justice. For this reason, it is in China and also in Japan where this stone is considered as the most valuable of all; and at that time, two empires were adorers of the gem.
Nephrite jade, very common in Asia, is frequently known as Chinese jade, because it is used to elaborate beautiful sculptures like Buddhas, dragons and snakes, and some eastern symbols as well.
Jade can be found in different places; however, it is in China where it gets its maximum splendor; the importance it won surpassed the rest of materials.
It is not clear when the commerce of the rock was started, but it is supposed it might be about 2,000 year b. C., at the end of the Neolithic period, when China´s internal reserves were ended and the contacts with western nomadic people were stablished, who were considered barbarians by Chinese people.
An ancient book deals with the jade production site in China, but it does not include information about all precious gems. The place of production can be found inside the territory of the provinces of Hsinchiang and Yunan, The soft jade is produced in Hsinchiang and the hard one in Birmania (south of China). Recently, it has been discovered that there are some mineral deposits of jade in Taiwan. Located in the eastern side of the island, in a tableland in a town named Fontien, there are many deposits of amphibole jade, most of them turquoise. Taiwan´s jade, is divided in three classes: ordinary jade, steeled jade and cat´s eye jade. The last one contains a fiber that produces a sparkling light with a thread shape similar to the eye of a cat, used in incrustation of rings and earrings.
Nature goes on being benevolent with mankind, offering from inside earth the reign of minerals. Nevertheless, it deserves protection, so that with ecologic sense it is possible that jade can become part of your life. So, take advantage of this wonderful stone.
ALFA