| Since the beginning of time, Jade has been one of | | | | of the two varieties. Imperial Jade is the name |
| the most important stones in the Chinese culture. | | | | given to the emerald green, translucent variety |
| Historically, Jade has been considered an important | | | | that is evenly colored. As far as its strength is |
| talisman which has the ability to guard the spirits | | | | concerned Jade is strong stone with a 7 on Moh's |
| and the bodies of all that is living or even dead. In | | | | scale and is quite resistant to breaking and |
| the other cultures, Jade is a coveted stone for its | | | | chipping. |
| fabled elegance and mystery that it exudes. | | | | Jadeite, which is commonly known as Jade, can |
| Though these days, different people come up | | | | be further classified into different types on the |
| with different varieties of jade to fleece | | | | basis of cutting, texture, clarity, translucency, |
| unsuspecting customers, Jade essentially has two | | | | color and tone. |
| varieties known as jadeite and nephrite. These | | | | The rule of the thumb is that higher the quality of |
| two minerals are completely different in all | | | | jadeite the more vibrant and vivid its color. Good |
| respects. While jadeite is found in colors like green, | | | | quality jadeite has an evenly distributed color. |
| yellow, purple and white, nephrite comes in colors | | | | However, there are translucent and opaque |
| like black, green, yellow and white. The primary | | | | stones available, clearer the jade, higher the |
| difference in the appearance of both the stones is | | | | quality. |
| that while the Nephrite has an even color | | | | Depending on these qualities, there are four types |
| throughout the stone, in jadeite, the color | | | | of Jade. |
| distribution in the stone is different for different | | | | Type A Jade is also known as natural Jade. It is |
| textures. | | | | also called "True Color" Jade since it has a natural |
| Nephrite is mainly found in China. High quality | | | | color. This Jade is polished and soaked in wax, |
| nephrite is also known as "mutton fat" due to its | | | | which helps in enhancing its color and quality. |
| uniform cream color and translucency. Nephrite is | | | | The translucency of Type B jade is improved by |
| used in finely carved jade artwork and artifacts. | | | | processes like chemical bleaching which helps in |
| Since this stone is higher in availability as | | | | the removal of impurities. This kind of treatment |
| compared to Jadeite, it is cheaper in price too. It | | | | may impact the chemical structure of Jade. |
| has a strength o f 6.5 in Moh's scale, which means | | | | When jade is dyed to enhance its color, then it's |
| it is more prone to chipping which is why the finish | | | | known as Type C jade. The color fades with |
| cannot be as fine as jadeite. | | | | time. |
| Burma is the chief producer of Jadeite. As far as | | | | In case of type B+C jade, even though it is dyed, |
| the aspects like price, texture and even color are | | | | the color stays fast since it is also treated with a |
| concerned; Jadeite finds more uses in jewelry | | | | polymer. |
| than nephrite. This stone is more expensive out | | | | |