The Colors of Jade

Jade, like quartz can come in all different shades and colors. So to write about one jade is to skip all of the other amazing kinds out there! In this article you will read about the following types of Jade: green, nephrite, yellow, white, and ruby jade.

History

Jade has a rich, beautiful history as it’s been around for thousands of years. Most known deposits of jade occur along, or near faults in serpentinites. Examples of this type of deposit are found in Myanmar, New Zealand, Canada, Taiwan, Guyana, Surinam, southern Europe, Russia and China.

Jade is the gemstone regarded in China as a status symbol and was used for jewelry and expensive decorations. The Chinese character for “jade”, (玉,yù) has a similarity with the character for “emperor” (王, wáng). By adding the small stroke on the bottom right the “jade” Chinese character can also mean “the emperor’s stone”.

It was also known as the “stone of heaven”, symbolizing prosperity, success, good luck, renewable, longevity and even immortality

China’s most famous professor and political theorist, Confucius wrote in the Book of Rites, eleven virtues that are represented in the jade stone: benevolence, justice, propriety, truth, credibility, music, loyalty, heaven, earth, morality and intelligence

Jade was the most prized possession as you can see, overtime there has been a ritual of being buried with or in jade. Liu Sheng in 113 BCE was buried in a jade suit with 2,498 pieces of jade stitched together with gold thread. As well as during the Qing Dynasty, the Emperor Qianlong was obsessed with the stone and built the most extensive collection known to man. Spending hours and hours contemplating his jade artifacts in the Imperial Treasury and he has composed 800 poems and songs about jade.

The jade stone is qì ( or chi ) the life force that flows through and around all living things according to Chinese customs. It is believed to connect the heaven and earth realms as the stone comes from earth but its luminous quality is like the sunlight and the stars

The Chinese associate jade with clarity of mind and purity of spirit. Some of the ancient symbolic motifs still used in modern jade carvings (both nephrite and jadeite) include:

• Bat—happiness

• Butterfly—long life

• Dragon—power, prosperity, and goodness

• Peach—immortality

• Bi (flat circular disk with a hole in the center) - heaven

Utilizing Jade

1. Jewelry: Jade is highly valued for its beauty and durability, making it a popular choice for jewelry. It is carved into beads, pendants, earrings, bracelets, rings, and other ornamental pieces. Jade jewelry is treasured for its vibrant colors, smooth texture, and cultural significance.

2. Carvings and Sculptures: Jade is a favored material for intricate carvings and sculptures due to its toughness and workability. Skilled artisans create exquisite jade carvings, figurines, statues, and decorative objects. These carvings often depict animals, mythical creatures, deities, and symbols representing cultural or spiritual significance.

3. Decorative Objects: Jade is used to create a variety of decorative objects, such as vases, bowls, plates, and boxes. These objects showcase the beauty of jade and are often valued for their craftsmanship and artistic appeal. Jade decorative objects are highly sought after by collectors and are often displayed as centerpieces or artifacts.

4. Religious and Spiritual Significance: Jade holds significant religious and spiritual symbolism in many cultures. It is used in religious rituals, ceremonies, and practices. Jade amulets, talismans, and charms are believed to bring good luck, protection, and spiritual well-being. In some traditions, jade is associated with wisdom, harmony, and enlightenment.

5. Art and Collectibles: Jade is highly prized by collectors and art enthusiasts. Fine jade pieces, especially those with exceptional quality, color, and craftsmanship, are sought after as valuable art collectibles. Historical jade artifacts, antique jewelry, and rare jade specimens hold significant cultural and historical value.

6. Architecture and Interior Design: Jade is sometimes used in architecture and interior design to create striking features. It may be incorporated into walls, floors, countertops, or decorative accents to add a touch of luxury and elegance to spaces.

Green Jade

Green Jade is a beautiful crystal that is believed to have many metaphysical properties. It is said to be a stone of good luck and abundance and is thought to bring prosperity and happiness to those who carry or wear it. Green Jade is also said to be a powerful protector, guarding against harm and danger.

Jade is primarily formed in subduction zones where tectonic plates converge. It originates from the metamorphism of rocks rich in aluminum, such as serpentinite and basaltic rocks. During subduction, these rocks are subjected to high temperatures and pressures deep within the Earth’s crust, causing the minerals within them to undergo chemical changes. The process of metasomatism occurs, where fluids rich in silica and other elements infiltrate the rock, leading to the formation of jade. The presence of sodium-rich fluids is crucial for the formation of jade.

Physical Healing Properties -

• Eases nausea

• Helps with any digestive system issues

• Helps you process kidney stones

• Helps with any issues in the reproductive system, such as fertility or pain during menstruation

• Supports in detoxification

• Helps regenerate tissue after trauma or surgery

Emotional Healing Properties -

• Releases the pain and sadness associated with grief

• Helps keep you calm and level-headed

• Releases anxiety, depression, and stress

• Attracts love into your life

• Increases wisdom and understanding

• Heals the fear based in money, specifically as a measure of worth

• Opens and enhances mercy and compassion for yourself and others

Spiritual Healing Properties -

• Calls in good fortune, luck, and prosperity

• Deflects negative energy and protects you from harm

• Helps you to remember your dreams and to interpret their meaning

• Encourages vivid dreaming

• Opens and balances the heart chakra

• Aids in connecting with the energy of true abundance

Nephrite Jade

Nephrite, composed of calcium and magnesium hydroxylated silicate, is a mineral of the amphibole family and has a hardness of 5.5 to 6 slightly, less than quartz.

Nephrite forms through a different geological process. It is commonly found in metamorphic rock formations, such as serpentinite, amphibolite, or greenschist. Nephrite is a product of the alteration of other minerals, particularly actinolite and tremolite, which are part of the amphibole mineral group. These minerals undergo recrystallization and transformation under intense pressure and temperature conditions, resulting in the formation of nephrite

Physical Healing Properties -

• Helps with physical ailments, such as kidney problems and immune system disorders

• Harmonizes the energy of the adrenals

• Stimulates white blood cell production

• Brings balance to the metabolism

• Removes toxins

• Rebinds skeletal and cellular systems

• Balances body fluids and guides them back into an even flow

• Helps with fertility and childbirth

Emotional Healing Properties -

• Allows us to find our inner strength

• Its vibrations boost our personal power and help us find courage and compassion when needed

• Releases negative thoughts and irritability and soothes the mind

• Relinquishes self-imposed limitations

Spiritual Healing Properties -

• Works with the Heart, the Third Eye, and the Crown Chakra

• Its energy works to harmonize the chakras and bring forth peace and tranquility

• Allows us to open our hearts to higher spiritual awareness and connect with the universe

• Has an incredible grounding ability

• Brings good luck and abundance into your life

• Enhances your dream recall skills

• Protects your home from negativity

• Enhances your psychic abilities

• Balances yin yang, male female, and personal partner energies

Cleansing Nephrite Jade

• Sunlight: Place your Nephrite stone out in the sunlight for 20 minutes. 

• Water: Hold your Nephrite stone under running water for a few minutes. Natural running water, such as streams, is best, but any will do. 

• Soil: Place your Nephrite stone in a bowl of soil, making sure it is fully submerged. Leave it in the soil overnight.

Yellow Jade

Yellow jade goes by a lot of different names across the crystal market. You may hear it being referred to as lemon jade, or honey jade quite interchangeably. However there actually are some subtle differences between the stones of these labels. 

Consider yellow jade to be a bit of a blanket term for any form of jade that falls within yellow ray energy. When the crystal is considerably light in color, and seems to have a tinge of green to it, it’s usually called lemon jade. This is a derivative of serpentine, and looks much more golden than other varieties of this crystal.

Honey jade is another variant of yellow jade, however the color of the stone is richer yet more translucent. It looks like honey, and darker variations may even appear more orange than yellow. 

The most abundant sources of yellow jade are currently being found in Myanmar, Japan and Guatemala. The United States also seems to have yellow jade in smaller quantities, particularly in California and Alaska.

Physical Healing Properties -

• Stimulates your gut

• Facilitates good digestion

• Contains a myriad of minerals that are highly beneficial for the human body

• Improves blood circulation

• Boosts your metabolism

• Eliminates fatigue

• Is a natural anti-inflammatory

• Can be used directly on inflamed, irritated skin for soothing or relief

• Improves immune health

• Induces liveliness and uplifts one’s vitality

• Strengthens the thyroid gland and the spleen and improves their functions

Emotional and Mental Healing Properties -

• Heightens inner wisdom

• Strengthens confidence, abundance and self-esteem

• Brings tranquilly and inner peace

• Dispels negativity and protect you from further instances of harm

• Releases their emotions in a healthy, stable manner

• Eases anxiety

• Enhances concentration and learning abilities

• Clears fatigue and lowers stress levels

• Bestows happiness and contentment in the person’s life

• Provides guidance when going through a period of transition and transformation

Spiritual Healing Properties -

• Luck-bringers

• Opens, heals, and activates solar plexus chakra

• Induces deep REM sleep enabling lucid dreams and being able to remember the experience

• Assists a person’s radical change and enlightenment towards his spirituality

• Great for grounding energy

• An effective tool to use in deep meditation

Cleansing Yellow Jade

Jade is a water-safe crystal, so you can make use of any of the following methods for cleansing:

• Hold yellow jade under running water for a minimum of one minute. Use a towel to dry. 

• Leave yellow jade under the light of the full moon every month, retrieving it the following morning. 

• Bury yellow jade in the garden, and allow it to remain under the Earth for up to 48 hours. 

• Place yellow jade on a bed of Himalayan salt and allow it to sit for up to 48 hours. You can also store your stones on the salt when not in use. 

• Use prayer or meditation to cleanse and recharge your stones. 

White Jade

White Jade has a rich history dating back to ancient civilizations. This gemstone was highly prized by cultures such as the Aztecs, the Chinese, the Japanese, and early Europeans, who crafted intricate artifacts like rings, beads, statues, and bracelets from the jade found in local mines. Revered for its purity and deep spiritual meaning, Chinese jade has seamlessly woven itself into the fabric of Chinese society for thousands of years.

White Jade can be Jadeite or Nephrite.  It is highly prized in China, particularly when the color is very pure, at which point it is called “Mutton Fat Jade.”  Much of this Jade is minded alluvially from the Yurungkash River in northwestern China.  The river’s name actually translates to “White Jade River.”  The river’s headwaters are in the Kunlun Mountains, on the Tibetan plateau.  These mountains are also the headwaters for Karakash River, or “Black Jade River” which has pebbles of very dark green and white Nephrite Jade.  The two rivers meet in southern China.

Physical Healing Properties

• Heals the kidneys and the adrenal glands

• Soothes the nervous system

• Strengthens white blood cells

• Improves the over-all functioning of the immune system

• Helps balance fluids with the body, particular the acid/alkaline ratio

Emotional and Mental Healing Properties

• Helps us to manage emotionally difficult situations gracefully

• Brings our life back into harmony as quickly

• Attracts soulmates and soul friends that are meant to help us grow into our Best Self

• Reminds us to treat people the way we wish to be treated

• Helps us create good boundaries and to have clear communication

• Encourages self love and self-sufficiency

• Encourages us to be hopeful, but not naive

• Helps us to see the big picture and the systems and patterns within it

• Reminds us to stay focused on our end goals and to take a sensible route forward

• Aids us in breaking bad habits associated with negative thinking

• A calming stone

• Brings relief to anxiety, stress, and depression

Spiritual Healing Properties

• Helps us to connect to higher vibrational energies

• Helps us to act intuitively

• Purifies, aligns and reconnects the entire chakra circuit to the rest of the universe

• Protects from negative energies

• Transforms the aura from one of dark, foreboding energy to one of light and purity

• Awakens the dormant spiritual potential within individuals

• Allows them to explore higher states of consciousness and expand their spiritual awareness

• Serves as a conduit for divine energy, aiding in the alignment of mind, body, and spirit

• Cleanses and purifies the energy field

• Shields against psychic attacks

Cleansing White Jade

• Full moon energy

• Water

• Himalayan salt

• Sun

• Selenite

• Meditation

• Smoke (sage or incense)

• Leaving In a garden

Lavender Jade

Lavender Jade is a stone of the angels. It emanates pure energy of the highest etheric spectrum, and draws angelic beings to its light. It provides spiritual nourishment to all who touch or even gaze upon it. Its soft lavender hue harmonically attunes to Kwan Yin, the Goddess of Compassion, and encourages loving and charitable actions in the world.

A lavender colored dense, cryptocrystalline material consisting mainly of jadeite, which is used for carving and as an ornamental stone. It's technically a rock, not a mineral, and also contains minor albite, tremolite and traces of aegirine and aegirine-augite. The base colour is caused by manganese (originally it was attributed to iron, while various tinges are caused by traces of vanadium, nickel and manganese in varying proportions).

Lavender Jade, Purple Jade, Turkish Purple Jade, and Turkiyenite are all the same stone in a sense. Differing based on very small minerals that create a luminescent glow and depending on where it is sourced seeing as purple jade is the rarest jade.

Turkish Purple Jade is only found in one place in the world; the Bursa Province in Turkey's Marmara Region. The true emperor of Chinese jewelry, Jade was also prized in Aztec, Maori, Mayan, Native American, Olmec, and Toltec cultures.

Physical Healing Properties

• Enhances the body’s filtration

• Excellent for treating the kidneys, spleen and supra-adrenal glands

• Removes toxins

• Balances the fluids and water-salt/acid-alkaline ratios in the body

• Allows for both the cellular and skeletal systems to re-bind themselves

• Assists in the removal of pain associated with the body’s healing of itself

• Helps stitches to bind and heal properly

• Diminishes cramps and “Charlie horses”

• Aids in fertility and helps deal with the pains and trauma of childbirth

• Combats stress-related illnesses

Emotional and Mental Healing Properties

• Alleviates emotional hurt and leftover anger from past traumas

• Brings about new feelings of inner peace, teaching subtlety and restraint in emotional matters and sets clear boundaries

• Releases negative thoughts and irritability and soothes the mind

• Improves one’s remembering of dreams and releases suppressed emotions via the dream process

• Facilitates the ambition and building of those thoughts into physical reality

• Provides confidence and self-assuredness, self-reliance and self-sufficiency

• Helps you quit your follow-the-leader attitude and make you think and act independently

Spiritual Healing Properties

• Facilitates astral travel, lucid dreaming, and out-of-body experiences

• Activates the Crown and Soul Star Chakras

• A stone of the Violet Ray of spiritual purification

• Enhances the visionary state in meditation, and assists in gently entering the space of “no thought”

• Helps release all the unnecessary energies in your body that hold you back from achieving peace within yourself

• Cleanses your soul and expel negative energies out of your system

• Reveals the spiritual perfection that exists in everything

• Helps us to be grounded and awakened at the same time

• Strengthens our intuition and protects our aura

• Connects us with the energy of Kwan Yin, the Bodhisattva of compassion, and gives us gifts of deep inner peace