Crystal/Gemstone Meaning/Property Guide J1

Jade

Jade is a name that for centuries was applied to ornamental gemstones people were bringing to Europe from China and Central America. It wasn't until 1863 that society realized the term "jade" was being applied to two different minerals. The two exquisite minerals are relatively hard to distinguish from each other, and so even today both are still called jade. The first mineral, nephrite, is an amphibole silicate (basic magnesium iron silicate) in the actinolite series and is usually only green and creamy white. The second, jadeite, is a sodium aluminum silicate that can have the full range of colors known as jade. Varieties of serpentine have also been confused with true jade throughout history. The confusion continues today, since the Chinese word for jade, yu, is applied to a variety of minerals that are suitable for jewelry-making and carving, including serpentine, agate and quartz. In translation, all true jade (jadeite and nephrite) is yu, but not all yu is what Westerners would consider true jade.

Jade has been treasured in China as the royal gemstone since at least 2950 B.C. According to archeological findings, the Chinese began using jade in the early Neolithic Age (starting around 10,000 B.C.). The ancient Chinese believed jade was the essence of heaven and earth, and carved jade into birds and beasts to use as items of worship. Jade was also a symbol of power, and only aristocrats could own items made from the gemstone. It was even established as a standard of morality for the Chinese. Confucius concluded that jade had 11 virtues, including benevolence, fidelity, etiquette, wisdom, and sincerity. Hence, jade was not only a decoration, but also a symbol of ethics and behavior. Wearing jade accessories soon became fashionable, and it was said that a true gentleman would never leave his jade ornaments behind. The Chinese even consumed powdered jade as a remedy for just about every ailment known, and drank it at the time of death as a powerful embalming solution.

In Central America, the Olmecs, Mayans and Toltecs also treasured jade and used it for carvings and masks. The Aztecs instituted a tax on jade, which unfortunately led to the recycling of earlier artworks. Although prehistoric axes and blades carved from jade have been found in Europe, most Europeans were unfamiliar with jade as a gemstone for use in jewelry until the 16th century, when jade objects were imported from China and, later, Central America. The Portuguese, who brought back jade pieces from their settlement in China, called jade piedre de ilharga, or gemstone of the loins, because they believed it to be a strong medicine for kidney ailments. The Spanish adapted their own version of this phrase, piedra de hijada, when jade objects were brought home from the New World. This term soon became the French ejade, and then finally, the English "jade."

Jade's appearance is warm, approachable, and desirable, admired for both its simplicities and complexities. Jade is said to help protect the kidneys, heart, larynx, liver, spleen, thymus, and thyroid. It also is believed to strengthen the body and increase longevity, and is known as a symbol of love and virtue.

Create a positive attitude towards money and visualize yourself using money creatively and productively while holding Jade in your power hand. When making an important business decision, use the prosperous energies of Jade by holding it while contemplating your course of action.

Good Fortune, Harmony, Fidelity, Love, Dreams, Wisdom, Longevity.

Green Jade - Facilitates peace within the physical, emotional, and intellectual structures, as well as within the materialistic world. It was said to bring accord the environment, to transmute negativity and to instill resourcefulness. Very Lucky Stone.

Honey Jade - Powerful emotional balance, radiates divine unconditional love. Dispels negativity from the third chakra (solar plexus). It has been used by the ancients {and some current} primitive tribes as a sacred stone, assisting one in access to the spiritual worlds. 

Jet

(aka Black Amber)

This organic material is a type of lignite coal, which is actually carbonized driftwood. Jet is usually warm to the touch and becomes electrically charged when rubbed with wool. Its name is derived from the old French jaiet, which came from the Latin word gagates after the River Gages, where it was first mined. It has a low to moderate hardness and is easily burned. It is extremely lightweight, making it ideal for large pieces of jewelry. Only clean jet with warm, soapy water.

Jet has been mined since before recorded history. Amulets of jet have been found together with amber in ancient European ruins. The Pueblo Indians were known to bury jet with their dead for protection in the afterlife. In the 16th century, jet was believed to be black amber and commonly used in rosary beads. Jet was also burned by the wives of sailors to protect them at sea. Jet later became fashionable in Victorian England, where it was popular as mourning jewelry. Many cultures, including American Indians, still use jet for prayer beads and religious sculpture.

Jet has historically been considered protective against illness, the evil eye and personal attacks. Jet is an important gemstone for the first chakra, thought to strengthen psychic awareness.

Jet protects and purifies. Jet neutralizes negative energies. Hold a piece of jet to clear negative vibrations.