Jade

Jadeite

Colour with range

Jadeite jade can show lavender, yellow and reddish orange as well as green. Uneven colour can become part of a carver's design.

Nephrite

A quieter palette

Nephrite often has a more muted appearance, with colours including green, white, grey, brown and black.

Durability

Tough, still worth caring for

Toughness describes resistance to breaking. Hardness describes scratch resistance. Jade is admired for the first; it still needs protection from scratches.

Meaning and symbolism

What we choose to carry

Jade's cultural life is as rich as its colour. GIA records associations with clarity of mind and purity of spirit in Chinese traditions. Carved motifs carry their own stories: a bat can represent happiness, while a dragon can evoke power, prosperity and goodness.

At The Stonery, that history leaves room for a personal reading. A stone might mark a promise, a turning point or simply a colour you keep returning to. The meaning comes from the relationship you build with it.

Mineral facts

Two materials, one familiar name

Jadeite and nephrite have different mineral compositions. Colour alone cannot identify them, and other materials can resemble jade. For a valuable piece, a gemological report can answer questions that a photograph cannot.

History and craft

A stone that people learned to shape

Long before modern jewellery, nephrite was made into tools, ornaments and ritual objects. Jade carving in China developed over thousands of years. Jadeite from what is now Myanmar arrived there in the late eighteenth century, adding another material to an established artistic tradition.

These histories belong to particular cultures, places and makers. Looking closely at a piece means noticing both the stone and the hands that worked it.

Is all jade green?
No. Green is the best-known colour, but not the only one.

Are jadeite and nephrite the same material?
No. They share a gem name, but differ in mineral composition. A green colour alone does not distinguish them.

How should I clean jade jewellery?
Warm soapy water is GIA's conservative choice for jade, because treatments can affect which cleaning methods are suitable. The metal, finish and any other stones need consideration too. Ask us about the complete piece if you are unsure.

Is jade suitable for everyday wear?
Its toughness is useful, but jade can still scratch and the setting has its own limits. Avoid rough work, strong heat and abrasive contact.