Jade - The Revered Gemstone

For a few millennia now, jade has been revered by ancient civilizations of Asia. It has been used to make carvings, statues, and other ornaments. The use of jade in jewelry such as sterling pendants, necklaces and bracelets came much later. An examination of records suggests that jade was first mined over 5000 years ago. Because of its strength and hardness, it was initially used to make primitive tools and hunting equipment. Later, man recognized the beauty of the stone and began to use it for decorative carvings and other aesthetic applications. Gemologists today recognize both jadeite and nephrite as jade. Jadeite is less common and is found mainly in Asia. Nephrite is more common and can be found in Burma, China, South America, Central America, Russia, Central Europe, and Canada.