China Natural Jade
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China Natural Jade
A question about ancient China. If the Chinese had no natural source of jade, where did they find their jade?
Jade refers to two different materials: Nephrite Jade and Jadeite Jade.
There is no Jadeite source in China. Almost all Jadeite imported into China now is from Myanmar (Burma). In fact, till today, the only known source of coveted Imperial Jade (Greens & Lavenders) is Burma. Jadeite is relatively "new", in that it was only discovered in the late 17th to 18th century and made popular during the Qing (Ching) dynasty during the reigns of Emperor Qian Long.
On the other hand, Nephrite Jade has been known, revered and used in China from more than 5000 years. This is, even today, refered to as the True Stone of Heaven by the chinese. The main source of Nephrite desired by the chinese come from the Eastern Turkestan (Xin Jiang province). Eastern Turkestan covers 1.6 million square km, one sixth of the present Chinese territory. It is located in Central Asia, it is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Mongolia to the northeast, and Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the northwest and west. This is where the famous KunLun mountains are located.
As in ancient times, the mutton-fat white variety of Nephrite jade is most valued. Rare colors like yellow, deep black and violets, bright greens, reds etc, as well as artistic carvings, especially two-color carvings (usually white and caramel-brown) are also valuable.
Hope that helps!
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7.98 CT NATURAL! GREEN CHINA JADE OVAL CAB !NR $0.99 |
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15.39 CT NATURAL! GREEN CHINA JADE OVAL CAB !NR $0.99 |
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wonderful china Natural green Jade Jewelry Necklace 18" $0.88 |
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51 CT. NATURAL GREEN LION CHINA JADEITE JADE Charm $0.99 |
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51 CT. NATURAL GREEN LION CHINA JADEITE JADE Charm $0.99 |
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51 CT. NATURAL GREEN LION CHINA JADEITE JADE Charm $0.99 |
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51 CT. NATURAL GREEN LION CHINA JADEITE JADE Charm $0.99 |
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51 CT. NATURAL GREEN LION CHINA JADEITE JADE Charm $0.99 |
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China Burma Natural Tibet Black Jade falchion Knife $0.01 |
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China natural blood jade carved dragon pendant necklace $0.48 |
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100% Natural China Jadeite ice green Jade BEAN pendant $220.00 |
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100% Natural China Jadeite ice green Jade Melon pendant $245.00 |
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100% Natural China Jadeite ice green Jade Gourd pendant $199.00 |
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China Natural Blood Jade Carved Dragon Pendant $1.25 |
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China natural blood jade carved dragon pendant necklace $0.48 |
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China natural blood jade carved dragon pendant necklace $0.99 |
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China Natural Jade TibetSilver plate Dragon Pencil Vase $0.01 |
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China natural blood jade carved dragon pendant necklace $0.01 |
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China Natural jade charm Bangle Bracelet $5.00 |
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China Natural jade charm Bangle Bracelet $5.00 |
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China Natural jade charm Bangle Bracelet $5.00 |
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China Natural jade charm Bangle Bracelet $5.00 |
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China Natural jade charm Bangle Bracelet $5.00 |
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25mm Natural China Jade Round Carven Gemstone Beads 15 $17.75 |
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China Natural jade charm Bangle Bracelet $5.00 |
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China Natural jade charm Bangle Bracelet $5.00 |
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China Natural jade charm Bangle Bracelet $5.00 |
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China natural blood jade carved dragon pendant necklace $0.99 |
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China natural blood jade carved dragon pendant necklace $0.99 |
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51 CT. NATURAL GREEN LION CHINA JADEITE JADE Charm $2.99 |
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51 CT. NATURAL GREEN LION CHINA JADEITE JADE Charm $2.99 |
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51 CT. NATURAL GREEN LION CHINA JADEITE JADE Charm $2.99 |
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51 CT. NATURAL GREEN LION CHINA JADEITE JADE Charm $2.99 |
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EXCELLENCE GREEN JADE 19.15CT.EMERALD CUT NATURAL CHINA $9.99 |
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China natural blood jade carved dragon pendant necklace $0.99 |
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China Natural White Jade Bracelet Bangle 63mm $0.39 |
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7.65 CT NATURAL! GREEN CHINA JADE OVAL CAB !NR $0.99 |
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15.87 CT NATURAL! GREEN CHINA JADE OVAL CAB !NR $0.99 |
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China natural blood jade carved dragon pendant necklace $0.99 |
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51 CT. NATURAL GREEN LION CHINA JADEITE JADE Charm $2.99 |
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51 CT. NATURAL GREEN LION CHINA JADEITE JADE Charm $2.99 |
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A2468 Natural China jade carved angel wing figurine $2.99 |
Treasure Hunting for Jade
Jade rough
Do you have a hankering to find some Jade but you do not want to travel to China or South America for it? Well you are in luck; you can just pick it off the ground from Jade Cove which is located about 65 miles south of Monterrey California.
When treasure hunters first discovered Jade at Jade Cove they came from all over to hammer and dynamite the large rocks on the cliffs. Large trucks with winches were used to drag the boulders up the cliffs doing serious damage to the beach and cliff areas.
Jade Cove is now protected and it has numerous regulations regarding the prospecting for jade that are strictly enforced. No tools are allowed, no collections above the high tide mark. It is a day use area only, so no camping. The trail leading down the cove is covers a 180 food drop is it is quite steep and treacherous and you are only allowed to remove what one man can carry out.
Scuba Diving
A shallow shelf slopes off the shore and runs through thick kelp beds. Fifty yards offshore is Cave Rock. Beneath 40 feet of water, it is the only underwater concentration of jade known in the world today. The cave runs parallel to the shore and in the cave is naturally polished pure green jade. It will be one of your most unforgettable diving experiences.
Two type of Jade is known. The first is Jadeite (sodium-rich aluminous pyroxene) and the other is Nephrite (calcium-rich magnesium, iron, aluminous amphibole). Both have a hardness rating between 6.5 and 7 on the mohs scale. They can be beautifully colored and have delicate shapes. Both were created under extreme pressure with relatively low temperatures.
Prehistoric man used jade for weapons and tools. It has the hardness of quarts and could be shaped into cutting type tools and weapons. China has been using jade since 3,000 B.C. The Mayan, Aztecs of Central America valued jade more highly that gold.
Jade carved
Other Places to Find Jade
In China, Nephrite can be found in a creamy white coloration known as Mutton Fat as well as the green variety. Jadeite can come in a more verity of colors such as blue, lavender, pink, black and emerald green. Jadeite is the rarer of the two and can be found only in about 12 places in the world.
Jade is the official gemstone of the state of Alaska where it has been found in the Kobuk river watershed at Jade Mountain. Outside of the Anchorage Visitor’s Center sits a two ton block of jade that was mined from the Kobuk area and donated to the state. Some fine green, white, and cats’ eye nephrite have been found in Alaska.
Wyoming has green and a golden brown variety of jade that is found in the chaparral and desert country around Lander.
Metaphysical
The metaphysical properties of jade include wisdom, justice, compassion, modesty, courage, beauty, longevity and female eroticism. Chinese often had the mouthpieces of the opium pipe carved out of jade in the belief that breathing smoke through jade would bestow longevity upon the smokers. Calligraphy brush handles were also made of jade so the user would gain wisdom when using it.
Happy Treasure Hunting.
About the Author
David Cowley has created numerous articles on Treasure Hunting. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to Treasure Hunting. Visit Treasure Hunting