Knowledge
Jade, with its pleasing lustre and immense strength, has been revered throughout history. Overflowing with cultural symbolism and coming in a myriad of colours, jade remains as sought after today as it always has been.
Gemstones
Types of Jade
The general term 'jade' actually encompasses two different gemstones: nephrite and jadeite, as each has similar colours and properties. The most sought after of the two is jadeite which is therefore more readily associated with the name jade. It is only in recent times that this distinction was made clear.
£5,750
£9,900
£12,000
£5,700
Jadeite
Jadeite is the most rare variety, and more precious, with the finest specimens hailing from Burma and southern China, followed by Siberia.
The Mayans and the Aztecs particularly prized jadeite jade, using it for medicinal purposes as well as in jewellery, ornaments, and religious artefacts. Early Spanish explorers were responsible for naming this gem, calling it ‘piedra de ijada,’ meaning ‘stone of the pain in the side’ as they saw many indigenous people holding this stone to their side to relieve or heal aches and pains.
Jadeite reached China from Burma in the 18th century, and in 1733 the Chinese Emperor was presented with an array of jadeite gifts which were so spectacular that he named it an 'imperial gem'. It thus became one of the most precious gemstones in China, favoured by Emperors over the generations. Gem carvers in the 18th and 19th century created masterpieces that remain unsurpassed in design and execution and it was here that jadeite reached its peak as an important artistic medium.
Nephrite
Nephrite jade can trace its roots back to the prehistoric era. In Europe, China, and elsewhere around the world, Stone Age workers produced tools from this gem material, as well as decorative ornaments, weapons and ritual objects. Their carvings were said to summon the powers of heaven and earth and the mystic forces of life and death.The best known contemporary source of nephrite is New Zealand.
Symbolism
The stone symbolises eternity and some believe that jade can bring luck to their life. This belief led to proclamations that jade was ‘the stone of heaven'. The pre-Columbian civilisations of South America valued it over gold, and the Ancient Egyptians thought of it as the stone of love and harmony. However it was China where it was, and still is today, the most sought after, believed to symbolise good and happiness, clarity of mind and purity of spirit.
The Many Colours of Jade
Jadeite is semi-transparent to opaque and has a broad colour spectrum, including many shades of green, yellow, and reddish orange, as well as white, grey, black, brown, and lavender. The coloration is often unevenly distributed, giving jadeite an interesting visual texture carvers use to create imaginative and intriguing effects.
Nephrite ranges from translucent to opaque and can be light to dark green, yellow, brown, black, grey, or white. Its hues tend to be more muted than jadeite.
Jade in jewellery
Although jade featured heavily in Asian art and jewels, it was seldom used in European jewellery until the late 19th century and it was however during the Art Deco period that jade seduced the Western world. Inspired by jewels fashioned in the East, jade provided a highly desirable contrast to the brilliant scintillation of white diamonds and opaque black onyx which were in vogue. Exquisite jewellery designs featured motifs such as dragons and pagodas, echoing the exoticism of jade's origins.
A famous collector of jade was Barbara Hutton, the Woolworths heiress. One of Barbara's wedding presents from her father- an impressive necklace made by Cartier Paris in 1934, was kept in the family until 1988. When it came up for auction described as ‘one of the most splendid jade necklaces' in the world, it proved the cataloguing correct by selling for the highest ever price for jadeite jewellery. This was a significant moment for this gemstone, and an increasing number of collectors began to show interest in jade pieces.
Berganza’s Jade Collection
Explore our collection of fabulous jade jewellery, from carved earrings to cabochon rings, this gemstone is featured in an array of pieces from across the eras.
Peridot
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Amethyst
Garnet
Citrine
The colour, clarity and high transparency have always been the key factors to its value.
Jadeite comes in range of colours, most commonly shades of green, but also red, purple, grey, white and orange to name just a few other colours,
Jadeite is the hardest and most precious type of jade, and the one after which this gemstone group is named.