The precious gem known as the “stone of heaven” has been treasured by the Asian culture for thousands of years for its rich heritage. The trade name for the finest quality semitransparent jadeite with its even, and vivid color is called Imperial Jade. The modern gemologists use the word “Jade” which includes Jadeite & Nephrite. The gems are soft enough to carve, but tough enough to withstand a carvers constant pounding of his hammer on the gem. Jadeite is commercially available, but top-quality is rare. Jadeite also comes in an array of colors: lavender, red, orange, yellow, brown, white, black & gray. Green is the most valuable and most expensive, it can have a price tag of over $3 million dollars per carat.
In China & Europe, during the Stone Age, workers shaped Jadeite into weapons, tools, ornaments & ritual objects. The carvings are believed to invoke the powers of heaven, earth, and mystic forces of life & death. The ancient relationship between this gemstone and humanity persists today among native societies in New Zealand & parts of North America. In China it became an artistic tradition that has prospered for more than 3,000 years.
The Chinese culture associate jade with clarity of mind and purity of spirit. Some of the ancient symbolic motifs still used in modern carvings are: the bat for happiness, butterfly for long life, dragon for power, prosperity & goodness, peach for immortality and the Bi, the flat circular disk with a hole in the center which is for heaven. In China there is a tradition that a girl's parents give her a Jadeite bangle to wish her a good and prosperous life, it is something the girl does not take off. She will wear it into adulthood.
The Jade gemstone has never been a powerful or important stone for our culture in the United States, but I have seen some amazing carved pieces here. Designers today are creating modern looks that are stylish with a chic contemporary feel. Below you will find several pieces that are my favorites of the Jade we we have to offer.
Carved Jadeite Earrings
Jade "Spirituality of Vitality" Pendant
The pendant is magical✨✨✨✨
ReplyDeleteThank you Melanie, I am very proud of this piece. Truly a labor of love. The earrings above were designed by a different designer.
ReplyDeleteI think both pieces are gorgeous! The jade looks so different in each piece.
ReplyDeleteJill, thank you on behalf of the pendant and as an admirer of other designers jewelry the Jadeite earrings I would have to say, "Totally Rock"!!!! I appreciate your comments. M xo
DeleteI'm in love with the jadeite earrings!!
ReplyDeleteJim, I could not agree with you more. Provident Jewelry has incredible jewelry if I do say so myself! Your comment is truly appreciated and hope you keep them coming. M
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ReplyDeleteMair I love the pendant you designed!!
ReplyDeleteIt truly is spiritual knowing how ancient the "Jade" is and to me it depicts how we intertwine with those around us. "Sapphires" are those people who are our "Rocks", always supportive and always available. "Diamonds" are the energy people send us. Those who shine goodness on and into our lives. Blessing us with their essence. You would be considered a "Diamond" to many Maryann!!
"Tourmalines" are those colorful people who add spice and vigor to our existence and we all have quite a few of these in our lives. And now that wonderful semi-precious "Peridot" that is found in meteorites and contains iron and only comes in one color....these are the steadfast people that never give up on their dreams and push me to continue believing in mine.
And they all influence my center "Jade"....that spiritual side, that spiritual center revitalized moment by moment and day by day by those intertwined to shape my experience and invigorate my soul.
Maryann I love your zest for life and living and this pendant embodies that for me. May your journey continue to enlighten your soul and those around you.
Bridget,
DeleteThis is the nicest post, thank you. I SO ENJOYED reading it and felt your support & love. And if we are dishing out compliments here.... You most certainly are a Sapphire - A ROCK.
Again, thank you for the great post!
Maryann xo