Jade
In 1863, Jade — a green gemstone that was known to exist for seven thousand years— was proven to consistof two separate and distinct minerals: Jadeite and Nephrite. Nephrite is the more common Jade. Despite their different properties, the term Jade is used to describe both of these lovely gemstones. Jadeite is also known to have three species: Imperial Jade (not to be confused with Imperial Jasper) is emerald-green—and translucent to almost transparent. It is considered the most desired variety of Jade. Chloromelanite is a combination of Jadeite, Albite, Feldspar, and other minerals. It's color is a deep translucent to opaque green with dark green-to-black spots or veins.
There are other types of stones with trade names that are indistinguishable from Jade except to the most trained and discerning eye.
There's more...Flower Jade, is a form of Jadeite that is composed of a sodium aluminum silicate and Nephrite. Flower Jade may be mottled shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, lilac, pink, black, white or brown. Most of the Flower Jade stones in Miriam’s Private Collection of Gemstones are in subtle and neutral tones of yellow, green, and brown. This lovely and versatile stone has been known and treasured for more than 6,000 years and has been revered by ancient cultures as the ultimate Dream Stone. It’s origins are Japan, Myanmar, Guatemala, and North America. (For more details about all these "Jade" gemstones, and more, please see "Gemstones of the World" by Walter Schumann, 5th Edition).
There are other types of stones with trade names that are indistinguishable from Jade except to the most trained and discerning eye.
- Yunan-Jade is often found interlayered with another green stone called Serpentine.
- Serpentine Jade also has several varieties:
- Indian Jade, which is actually the tradename for Aventurine (which has lovely, glistening mica inclusions).
- Russian Jade (also called Russian Serpentine) are trade names for a spinach-green Nephrite.
- Wyoming Jade is the trade name for Nephrite from (you guessed it!) Wyoming. Wyoming Jade is a green-colored stone composed of Tremolite with Albite.
- Columbian Jade is the trade name for a stone that also ranges in color from light to dark green, with small, dark specks or veins. The black inclusions are thought to be either Iron or Pyrite - or a combination. It has translucent and opaque qualities, and a slightly crystalline grainy appearance with striking black spots or veins—all features found in natural Jadeite and Chloromelanite. Columbian Jade, despite its trade name, also might be a translucent variety of Serpentine.
There's more...Flower Jade, is a form of Jadeite that is composed of a sodium aluminum silicate and Nephrite. Flower Jade may be mottled shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, lilac, pink, black, white or brown. Most of the Flower Jade stones in Miriam’s Private Collection of Gemstones are in subtle and neutral tones of yellow, green, and brown. This lovely and versatile stone has been known and treasured for more than 6,000 years and has been revered by ancient cultures as the ultimate Dream Stone. It’s origins are Japan, Myanmar, Guatemala, and North America. (For more details about all these "Jade" gemstones, and more, please see "Gemstones of the World" by Walter Schumann, 5th Edition).
