Jade is a name shared by two distinctly different minerals—Nephrite and Jadeite. Because of their finely interlocked and strongly bonded crystals structures both are exceptionally tough stones. The name Jade was incorrectly translated into French from the Spanish term ‘piedra de yjada’ (stone of the loin), becoming ‘pierre le jade’. Nephrite is generally light in color and is more common than Jadeite, which is why it was sent from China to the Americas in the 17th century when Jade supplies had diminished. Jadeite is typically darker shades of green and the main source is in Burma but both stones (which are both referred to on the market as “Jade”) have deposits all over the world today.
