The Origins of Jade | Nephrite, Jadeite, and more!

 

Jade is without a doubt one of the most visually stunning and beautiful gemstones out there! We are a big fan of the vibrant color and rich history this gem has over the years. Rebecca is here to help guide us through the wonderful tale of jade, how jadeite and nephrite are related, and to show off some spectacular specimens! So tune in and enjoy as we dig into the world of Jade!

 

 

Video

 

Where is jade found? What are the types of jade (and not-jades) and where do they come from? What is the difference between nephrite vs jadeite? And Guatemalan vs Burmese?

What is the most valuable jade color?

This video covers a huge range of jades from Burmese Jade to Hetian Jade, and answers questions about the origins of jade, non-jades such as Turkish Purple Jade, and FAQs about Imperial Jade and Cat's Eye Jade.

This video is ideal for the jade novice, collector, or seller.

 

 

Scroll to 4:46 to 5:01 in the video

(List of Countries where Nephrite Jade and Jadeite Jade are found)

Video

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The "Golden Age of Gemstones"  refers to the Renaissance (15th–16th centuries), a period marked by elevated artistry in jewelry, intricate gem-cutting, and increased trade. During this time, colored stones like ruby, emerald, and sapphire became coveted symbols of wealth, heavily worn by European aristocracy.

 

Key Aspects of the Golden Age of Gemstones:

• Artistic Evolution: The 15th and 16th centuries saw the development of early faceting techniques and complex, intricate designs.
• Symbolism and Status: Gemstones were not just decorative; they were believed to have therapeutic or protective properties.
• Expanded Trade: Increased trade with the East made a wider variety of stones available in Europe.
• Major Gems: Renaissance jewelry favored sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and, increasingly, pearls, according to research from The Natural Gem and Giliarto.

While "Golden Age" can refer to several distinct historical peaks in jewelry and gemology, it most commonly describes the Georgian era(1714–1837) and the Renaissance, which both saw a massive surge in craftsmanship and gemstone popularity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Historical "Golden Ages"

 

• The Georgian Era (1714–1837): Often cited by historians as a "golden age for jewelry" where craftsmanship and symbolism merged. Pieces were entirely handcrafted, frequently featuring rose-cut and table-cut diamonds.
• The Renaissance: Known for a "renewed interest in antiquity," this period saw gemstones like sapphires, rubies, and emeralds become highly coveted status symbols among royalty and the Church.
• Roman Empire (700 BC – 300 AD): For a millennium, Romans had unprecedented access to resources via the Silk Road, leading to ostentatious displays of emeralds, pearls, and diamonds.
• South East Asian Jade Trade (2000 BCE – 500 CE): A literal golden age for animist societies in the region, defined by an extensive maritime trade network of nephrite jade.

 

 

 

Key Developments in Gemstone History

 

• Technical Evolution: In the 16th century, the invention of tools for cutting facets into diamonds revolutionized how stones captured light. By the 19th century, the introduction of then brilliant cut set new aesthetic standards.
• The "Big Three": Throughout these eras, Emeralds, Rubies, and Sapphires have consistently remained the most hunted-after colored stones.
• Cultural Significance: Beyond wealth, gemstones were historically worn as talismans to ward off illness and evil, particularly during the Dark Ages.

 

Ancient vs. Modern Value

 

 

Gemstone	Ancient Status	Modern Status
Amethyst	Once available only to royalty	Highly affordable and mass-marketed
Zircon	One of the oldest minerals on Earth (4.4bn years)	Popular alternative for modern birthstones
Painite	Unknown to the ancients	Currently one of the rarest gems in the world

 

Regional "Golden Age" Deposits

 

Certain regions are legendary for specific gemstones discovered during their peak mining eras.

• Madagascar Emeralds & Rubies: Madagascar is a global "treasure trove," producing rare "pigeon blood" rubies and unique saturated green emeralds. A massive 300 kg emerald rock was recently found in the country's presidential palace.
• Colombian Emeralds (Muzo/Chivor): Discovered by conquistadores in the 1500s, these mines produced the finest crystals the Western world had ever seen.
• Kashmir Sapphires: Discovered in the 1880s, these are the "crème de la crème" of sapphires, known for a velvety cornflower blue color. The primary mine was depleted by the 1920s.

 

Extra Bonus Jades

Where Does Jade Come From? | Nephrite Jade Origins ft Freshwater Jade

 

Award-winning jade carver, Shane Zach of Freshwater Jade, will explain in this LIVE Q&A all about Canadian jades, Russian jades, Chinese jades, American jades, Indonesian jades and MORE! This video can't cover every single source of nephrite, but we'll touch on all the major sources -- and some lesser-known ones as well!

Bring all of your nephrite jade origin questions to the chat for this interactive live event!

 

*TIMESTAMPS*\

1:33 Canadian Jade

4:45 Black Inclusions in Jade

8:27 Siberian Jade

14:56 Chinese Jade

23:52 New Zealand Jade

34:43 Alaska Jade

36:54 Big Sur Jade

39:52 Brazil Jade

42:56 Wyoming Jade

58:44 Indonesian Jade

Video

Indonesian Nephrite Jade from Aceh, Sumatra 

Brazilian Nephrite Jade

Siberian Brown Caramel Jade

Siberian Spinach Jade

Siberian Nephrite Blue Jade

Siberian Nephrite White Jade

Mutton Fat Nephrite White Jade of Hotan (Hetian) region near the Kunlun Mountains. 

Alaskan Jade

Burma Jadeite Jade: Golden Honey, Orange Marmalade or Yellow. 

Thailand Imperial Icy White Jadeite

Marine Jade Mining in California ft. Marco Mazza (Mazza Jade Works)

 

Jade diver and underwater photographer/videographer Marco Mazza will be talking about California's jade culture, the realities of jade diving, and his craftsmanship as a jade carver in this LIVE Q&A.

 

 

Video

Canada holds vast amounts of green nephrite jades. 

18 ton nephrite jade boulder found in Canada in 2000.

Article

The Jade Deposits in Canada

The Jade Deposits in Canada – Geology In

 

Key Jade Records

 

• Largest Carved Jade: 392.215 tonnes, unveiled in Wenchang, Hainan, China (2024).
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• Largest Uncut Jade (Nephrite): 577 tonnes, discovered in Yukon, Canada (1992).
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• Largest Jadeite Boulder: ~192 U.S. tons, discovered in Kachin State, Myanmar (2016).
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• Most Expensive Necklace: The Hutton-Mdivani Necklace ($27 million). 
   
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The 2016 Myanmar find (often cited as ~200 tons) is frequently recognized as the largest, high-quality, gem-grade, or "Imperial Green" jadeite boulder found in recent history, though larger overall, lower-grade nephrite blocks exist, such as the Canadian find.