Jade Meanings and Uses

My favourite gemstone is Jade, not only did I name my oldest daughter after it, but I also wear it every day, and have tons of Jade collectables in and around my home. Jade comes in two forms which are Jadeite, and Nephrite. One of the many sources for nephrite jade is in New Zealand. Jade is one of the oldest and most used gemstones throughout the world. The history of Jade can be traced back to an early man that lived in caves where they used Jade to create weapons, tools, jewellery, and ritual objects, and In China where Jade has been used as a sacred gemstone for 1,000's of years. In Scott Cunningham's book 'Encyclopedia of crystal gem and metal magic' he lists a number of magical properties for Jade, and the Chinese believe that the 6 natural colors of Jade have different magical priorities, and is why Jade is given as gifts, Jade is also known for and used for its healing ability by many people.

Jade comes in two forms Jadeite which is my favourite of the two can come in 6 natural colours: which are green, lavender, red, yellow, white and black. The coloration is often streaked with other colours, like golds white, and blacks. Nephrite is also Jade .it can be translucent to opaque and can be light to dark green, yellow, brown, black, grey, or white. It's coloured tend to be more muted than Jadeite’s, and is often streaked, and is what most people think of when you think of Jade, and is a standard for jewellery companies. There are only 6 natural colours of Jade. Other colours would be another gem or man-made Jade. “Blue Jade” or “pink Jade” are in fact not jade at all. “Pink jade” is usually rose quartz, but might be substituted with other gems.

Green is the most traditional and one of the most expensive colours for Jade. The colour varies from pale or yellowish green to like an apple green, its thought to be one of best colours.It has been said that the green jade is one of the finest green colours. It bears a close resemblance to emerald.

Lavender Jade can be very dark - close to a deep plum-purple or be quite light and pale.

Red Jade ranges from a lemon yellow through beige to orange-brown to what I think is the best colour: a pure red-brown. In today's world , red Jade is often heated to increase 'redness'. This process impairs its translucence and decreases the value of the Jade.

Yellow Jade is on the cheaper end of Jade. And unlike some of the most valuable colours, most of the yellow Jade in the market today is real.

White Jade, or "pure" Jade, can be found in an opaque white to a translucent gray-white, and a good polish is essential to its value.

Black Jade is usually called nephrite and, in its better qualities, is glassy black. Surface flecks are common and usually acceptable.

Some of the sources for Nephrite Jade include New Zealand,Australia, Brazil, China, Canada, Russia, Taiwan, Zimbabwe, the United States. and in Poland. The sources for Jadeite are limited. Some of the sources for jadeite are located in Burma, Guatemala, Japan, and Kazakhstan. Jadeite is found in some metamorphic rocks that have undergone change at high pressure but at low temperature. It is found in masses, usually in the form of boulders and cobbles in stream deposits or glacial sediment,

The history of Jade can be traced back to the early man that lived in caves where they used Jade to create weapons, tools, jewellery, and ritual objects. " Jade is said to bless whatever it touches, serving mankind across the globe for nearly 6,000 years. For primitive peoples in the British Isles, its toughness, and ability to polish and sharpen made it a favoured stone for Axe heads, knives, and weapons. Indigenous tribes of Mexico, Central, and South America, and New Zealand carved it into deity masks and ritual artefacts even cast it into wells as an offering to the water spirits for fresh and plentiful water. Jade has been the most highly esteemed stone in China throughout recorded history and was valued for its beauty and powers of healing and protection. An endless variety of gems, vessels, incense burners, beads, burial items and statues have been wondrously carved from Jade, as well as musical instruments and pendants inscribed with poetry" .crystalvaults, author, unknown, In china Jade have also been used as a sacred gemstone for 1,000's of years. it has been carved into Budda, altars, necklaces, and is give from wife to husband, and husband to wife as wedding gifts.

While the magical properties of Jade can be debated, as everyone has their own thought, and feeling on magical properties, it is a very personal thing, as some believe they can be defiant from person to person, other believe they do not change. Two of the most widely accept properties of Jade is the chines version, and also Scott Cunningham version. the Chinese think that the 6 natural colours of jade have different magical priorities, and why they are given as gifts, carved into sauces and used in everyday life. The Chinese magical properties of jade are

Black Jade is thought to haves a strong, protective energies

Lavender Jade helps heal emotional hurt

Red Jade helps in dispelling fear that holds one back and urges one to action.

White Jade helps to filters distractions and aids in decision making.

Yellow Jade is said to be cheerful and energetic

Green Jade is thought to have healing properties, as well as aid in love

While Scott Cuningham lists his priorities in his book The encyclopaedia of crystal gem and metal magic as being the same for all of the forms of Jade and is

Folk Name: Piedra de Hijada

Energy: is Receptive

Planet: is Venus

Element: is Water

Deities: are Kwan Yin, Maat, Buddha

Powers: is Love, Healing,is Longevity, Wisdom, Protection, Gardening, Prosperity, and Money Scott, Cunningham's book encyclopaedia of crystal gem and metal magic

It is also believed by some that Jades Astrological Signs are

yellow and red Jade are Aries and Leo.

Lavender is for Sagittarius, Libra, and Taurus.

white Jade is for Capricorn, Cancer, and Virgo.

Jade of green colours is for Pisces, Gemini, Scorpio, and Aquarius.

But once again this is just a matter of opinion, but I believe it makes sense.

I use Jade in my daily life as a necklace, bracelet, and ring as well as normally in my garden, Jade has been favorite gemstone since I was a small child as I loved the colors of green, black, and gold the swirled together in a necklace my mom had, jade has had a special place in my heart and in my life ever since and that is why I named my daughter Jade. I can not a see a day in my life where some short of Jade would not be present at least in some way.