Hall of Jades: All About Jades

Jade as a Stone

There are two different minerals that we call “jade:” nephrite and jadeite. They have similar characteristics, but are structurally different. Nephrite is made up of long, fibrous, interwoven crystals. Jadeite is made up of granular crystals grouped in clusters.

Both nephrite and jadeite are extremely tough. They are highly resistant to breaking, chipping, and cracking. To the ancient Chinese, this durability gave jade special meaning. The stone embodied both beauty and permanence.

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