Jade
191395
225887032
2008-07-15T21:32:33Z
Mauler90
7379685
Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/72.68.150.156|72.68.150.156]] to last version by Nsaa (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
{{Dablink|"Nephrite jade" redirects here. You may be looking for [[Nephrite]].}}
{{Otheruses4|the gemstone}}
[[Image:chinese jadeite buttons.jpg|thumb|250px|A selection of antique, hand-crafted [[China|Chinese]] jade (jadeite) buttons]]
[[Image:Jadestein.jpg|thumb|250px|Unworked Jade]]
'''Jade''' is an [[ornamental stone]].
The term ''jade'' is applied to two different rocks that are made up of different [[silicate minerals]]. [[Nephrite]] jade consists of the calcium- and magnesium-rich [[amphibole]] mineral [[actinolite]] (aggregates of which also make up one form of [[asbestos]]). The rock called [[jadeitite]] consists almost entirely of [[jadeite]], a sodium- and aluminium-rich [[pyroxene]]. The trade name '''Jadite''' is sometimes applied to translucent/opaque green glass.
The English word 'jade' is derived from the Spanish term ''piedra de ijada'' (first recorded in 1565) or 'loin stone', from its reputed efficacy in curing ailments of the [[loins]] and [[kidneys]]. 'Nephrite' is derived from ''lapis nephriticus'', the Latin version of the Spanish ''piedra de ijada''.<ref>Easby, Elizabeth Kennedy. ''Pre-Columbian Jade from Costa Rica''. (1968). André Emmerich Inc., New York</ref>
Nephrite and jadeite were used by people from the prehistoric for similar purposes. Both are about the same [[Hardness (materials science)|hardness]] as quartz, and they are exceptionally [[toughness|tough]]. They are beautifully coloured and can be delicately shaped. Thus it was not until the 19th century that a French mineralogist determined that "jade" was in fact two different materials.
Among the earliest known jade artifacts excavated from prehistoric sites are simple ornaments with bead, button, and tubular shapes<ref>Liu, Li. The Products of Minds as Well as Hands: Production of Prestige Goods in Neolithic and Early State Periods of China. ''Asian Perspectives'' 42(1):1-40, 2003, pg 2.</ref>. Additionally, jade was used for [[axe]] heads, [[knives]], and other [[weapon]]s. As metal-working technologies became available, the beauty of jade made it valuable for ornaments and decorative objects. Jade has a [[Mohs scale of mineral hardness|Mohs hardness]] of between 6.5 and 7.0,<ref>[http://www.orionsgemz.com/Mohs.html http://www.orionsgemz.com/Mohs.html] ''Orionsgemz.com'' Retrieved on 06-01-07 </ref> so it can be worked with quartz or garnet sand, and polished with bamboo or even ground jade.
Nephrite can be found in a creamy white form (known in China as "mutton fat" jade) as well as in a variety of green colours, whereas jadeitite shows more colour variations, including blue, lavender-mauve, pink, and emerald-green colours. Of the two, jadeite is rarer, documented in fewer than 12 places worldwide. Translucent emerald-green jadeitite is the most prized variety, both now and historically. As "quetzal" jade, bright green jadeitite from [[Guatemala]] was treasured by [[Mesoamerica]]n cultures, and as "kingfisher" jade, vivid green rocks from Burma became the preferred stone of post-1800 Chinese imperial scholars and rulers. Burma ([[Myanmar]]) and Guatemala are the principal sources of modern gem jadeitite, and Canada of modern lapidary nephrite. Nephrite jade was used mostly in pre-1800 [[China]] as well as in [[New Zealand]], the Pacific Coast and Atlantic Coasts of North America, Neolithic Europe, and south-east Asia. In addition to Mesoamerica, jadeitite was used by Neolithic Japanese and European cultures.
Jade is the [[List of Canadian provincial and territorial symbols|official gemstone]] of [[British Columbia]], where it is found in large deposits in the [[Lillooet, British Columbia|Lillooet]] and [[Cassiar, British Columbia|Cassiar]] regions. It is also the official gemstone of the state of [[Alaska]], found particularly in the [[Kobuk, Alaska|Kobuk]] area. A two ton block of jade sits outside the Anchorage Visitor’s Center in downtown [[Anchorage, Alaska]], mined from near Kobuk and donated to the city as a showpiece. Jade is also the state gemstone of Wyoming, U.S.A.
==History==
===Prehistoric and Historic China===
{{main|Chinese jade}}
[[Image:Han jade dragen.JPG|thumb|200px|Jade dragon, [[Western Han Dynasty]] ([[202 BC]]-[[9 AD]])]]
During [[Neolithic]] times, the key known sources of nephrite jade in China for utilitarian and [[ceremonial]] jade items were the now depleted deposits in the [[Ningshao]] area in the [[Yangtze River Delta]] ([[Liangzhu culture]] [[3400 BC|3400]]–[[2250 BC]]) and in an area of the [[Liaoning province]] in [[Inner Mongolia]] ([[Hongshan culture]] [[5th millennium BC|4700]]–[[2200 BC]])<ref>Liu, Li 2003:3-15</ref>. As early as 6000 B.C. Dushan Jade has been mined. In the Yin Ruins of Shang Dynasty (1,600 B.C. to 1,050 B.C.) in Anyang, Dushan Jade ornaments was unearthed in the tomb of the Shang kings.
Jade was used to create many utilitarian and ceremonial objects, ranging from indoor decorative items to [[jade burial suit]]s. Jade was considered the "imperial gem". From about the earliest [[Chinese dynasties]] until present, the jade deposits in most use were not only from the region of [[Khotan]] in the Western Chinese province of [[Xinjiang]] but also from other parts of China, like [[Lantian]], [[Shaanxi]]. There, white and greenish nephrite jade is found in small quarries and as pebbles and boulders in the rivers flowing from the [[Kuen-Lun mountain range]] northward into the [[Takla-Makan desert]] area. River jade collection was concentrated in the [[Yarkand River|Yarkand]], the White Jade
([[Yurungkash River|Yurungkash]]) and Black Jade ([[Karakash River|Karakash]]) Rivers. From the [[Kingdom of Khotan]], on the southern leg of the [[Silk Road]], yearly tribute payments consisting of the most precious white jade were made to the Chinese Imperial court and there transformed into ''objets d'art'' by skilled artisans as jade was considered more valuable than [[gold]] or [[silver]]. Jade became a favorite material for the crafting of Chinese scholars objects, such as rests for calligraphy brushes, as well as the mouthpieces of some [[opium pipes]], due to the belief that breathing through jade would bestow longevity upon smokers who used such a pipe.<ref>Martin, Steven. ''The Art of Opium Antiques''. Silkworm Books, Chiang Mai, 2007</ref>
Jadeite, with its bright emerald-green, pink, lavender, orange and brown colours was imported from [[Burma]] to China only after about 1800. The vivid green variety became known as Feicui (翡翠) or Kingfisher (feathers) Jade. It quickly replaced nephrite as the imperial variety of jade.
In the long history of the art and culture of the enormous Chinese empire, jade has always had a very special significance, roughly comparable with that of gold and diamonds in the West. Jade was used not only for the finest objects and cult figures, but also in grave furnishings for high-ranking members of the imperial family.
===Prehistoric and Early Historic Korea===
[[Image:Sillacrown.jpg|thumb|200px|Korean National Treasure No. 191, a [[Crown of Silla|gold crown]] with comma-shaped jades, was excavated from the [[Heavenly Horse Tomb]] of [[Silla]] and dates to the 5th century AD.]]
The use of jade and other greenstone was a long-term tradition in [[Korea]] (c. 850 B.C. - A.D. 668). Jade is found in small numbers of [[pit-house]]s and [[burials]]. The craft production of small [[comma]]-shaped and tubular 'jades' using materials such as jade, [[microcline]], [[jasper]], etc in southern Korea originates from the Middle [[Mumun Pottery Period]] (c. 850-550 B.C.)<ref>Bale, Martin T. and Ko, Min-jung. Craft Production and Social Change in Mumun Pottery Period Korea. ''Asian Perspectives'' 45(2):159-187, 2006.</ref>. Comma-shaped jades are found on some of the gold crowns of [[Silla]] royalty (c. A.D. 300/400-668) and sumptuous [[elite]] burials of the [[Korean Three Kingdoms]]. After the state of Silla united the Korean Peninsula in A.D. 668, the widespread popularisation of death rituals related to [[Buddhism]] resulted in the decline of the use of jade in burials as prestige mortuary goods.
===Māori===
Nephrite jade in [[New Zealand]] is known as ''[[pounamu]]'' in the [[Māori language]], and is highly valued, playing an important role in [[Māori]] [[Culture of the Māori|culture]]. It is considered a ''[[taonga]]'', or treasure, and therefore protected under the [[Treaty of Waitangi]], and the exploitation of it is restricted and closely monitored. The [[South Island]] of New Zealand is ''Te Wai Pounamu'' in [[Māori language|Māori]] - "The [land of] Greenstone Water" - because greenstone used to be easily obtainable in rivers.
An alternative (and more probable) Maori place-name for the South Island is ''Te Wahi Pounamu'' -"The Place of Greenstone".
Weapons and ornaments were made of it; in particular the '[[Mere (weapon)|mere]]' (short club), and the [[Hei-tiki]] (neck pendant). These were believed to have their own [[mana]], handed down as valuable heirlooms, and often given as gifts to seal important agreements. With no metal tools, it was also used for a range of tools such as [[adze]]s.
In [[New Zealand English]] the normal term is "[[Pounamu|greenstone]]" and [[jewellery]] of it in Māori designs is widely popular with locals of all races, and with tourists - although much of the jade itself is now imported from [[British Columbia]] and elsewhere.
===Mesoamerica===
{{main|Jade use in Mesoamerica}}
[[Image:Mayan Jade .jpg|thumb|Jadeite [[Pectoral]] from the [[Maya civilization|Maya]]n Classic period. (195mm high)]]
[[Image:Jade pend tik.jpg|thumb|Jade pendant, found in a tomb in [[Tikal]], [[Guatemala]]]]
Jade was a rare and valued material in [[pre-Columbian]] [[Mesoamerica]]. The only source from which the various [[Indigenous peoples|indigenous]] [[culture]]s, such as the [[Olmec]] and [[Maya civilization|Maya]], for example, could obtain jade was located in the [[Motagua River]] valley in [[Guatemala]]. Jade was largely an [[elite]] good, and was usually carved in a variety ways, whether serving as a medium upon which [[hieroglyph]]s were inscribed, or shaped into [[symbolic]] [[figurine]]s. Generally, the material was highly symbolic, and it was often employed in the performance of [[ideology|ideological]] practices and [[ritual]]s.
Today, Guatemala produces jadeite in a variety of colours, ranging from soft translucent lilac, blue, green, yellow, and black. It is also the source of new colours, including "rainbow jade" and the unique "Galactic Gold," a black jadeite with natural incrustations of gold, silver and platinum.<ref>[http://www.authenticmaya.com/jade.htm Mesoamerican Jade]</ref>
==Other names==
Besides the terms already mentioned, jadeite and nephrite are sometimes referred to by the following:
===Jadeite===
Agate verdâtre, Feitsui, Jadeit, Jadeita, Natronjadeit, Yunnan Jade, Yu-stone, Sinkiang jade.
===Nephrite===
Aotea, Axe-stone, B.C. Jade, Beilstein, British Columbian Jade, Canadian Jade, Dushan Jade, Nanyang Jade, Du Jade, Henan Yu, Grave Jade, Kidney Stone, Lapis Nephriticus, Nephrit, Nephrita, Nephrite (of Werner), New Zealand Greenstone, New Zealand Jade, Siberian Jade, Spinach Jade, Talcum Nephriticus, Tomb Jade.
==Faux Jade==
Many minerals are sold as jade. Some of these are: [[serpentine]] (also bowenite), [[carnelian]], [[aventurine quartz]], [[glass]], [[garnet|grossularite]], [[Vesuvianite]], [[soapstone]] (and other [[steatite]]s such as shoushan stone) and recently, Australian [[chrysoprase]]. "Korean jade," "Suzhou jade," "Styrian jade," "Olive jade", and "New jade" are all really serpentine; "Transvaal jade" or "African jade" is grossularite; "Peace jade" is a mixture of serpentine, stichtite, and quartz; "Malaysia jade" is dyed quartz; "Mountain jade" is dyed dolomite marble.
In almost all dictionaries, the Chinese character 'yù' (玉) is translated into English as 'jade'. However, this frequently leads to misunderstanding: Chinese, Koreans, and Westerners alike generally fail to appreciate that the cultural concept of 'jade' is considerably broader in China and Korea than in the West. A more accurate translation for this character on its own would be 'precious/ornamental rock'. It is seldom, if ever, used on its own to denote 'true' jade in Mandarin Chinese; for example, one would normally refer to 'ying yu' (硬玉, 'hard jade') for jadeite, or 'ruan yu' (軟玉, 'soft jade') for nephrite. The Chinese names for many ornamental non-jade rocks also incorporate the character 'yù', and it is widely understood by native speakers that such stones are not, in fact, true precious nephrite or jadeite. Even so, for commercial reasons, the names of such stones may well still be translated into English as 'jade', and this practice continues to confuse the unwary.
==Enhancement==
Jade may be enhanced (sometimes called "stabilized"). There are three main methods, sometimes referred to as the ABC Treatment System:
*'''Type A''' jadeite has not been treated in any way except surface waxing.
*'''Type B''' treatment involves exposing a promising but stained piece of jadeite to chemical bleaches and/or acids and impregnating it with a clear [[polymer]] [[resin]]. This results in a significant improvement of transparency and colour of the material. Currently, [[infrared spectroscopy]] is the most accurate test for the detection of polymer in jadeite.
*'''Type C''' jade has been artificially stained or dyed. The red colour of Red jade can be enhanced with heat. The effects are somewhat uncontrollable and may result in a dull brown. In any case, translucency is usually lost.
*'''B+C jade''' is a combination of B and C: it has been both artificially dyed AND impregnated.
*'''Type D''' jade refers to a composite stone such as a doublet comprising a jade top with a plastic backing.<ref>http://www.ssef-alumni.org/pdf/newsletter_3.pdf</ref>
==Gallery of Chinese jades==
<gallery>
Image:Ring with coiled dragon design.jpg|Jade dragon ring, [[Shang Dynasty]] ([[1600 BC]]-[[1050 BC]])
Image:Jade dragon.jpg|Jade dragon, [[Warring States]] ([[403 BC]]-[[221 BC]])
Image:Bi with two dragons and grain pattern.jpg|A jade [[Bi (jade)|Bi]] with dragons, [[Warring States]] ([[403 BC]]-[[221 BC]])
Image:Huan in shape of a coiled serpent.jpg|Jade coiled serpent, [[Han Dynasty]] ([[202 BC]]-[[220]] AD)
Image:Belt clasp with dragon design.jpg|Jade-dragon belt clasp, [[Liu Song Dynasty]] ([[420]]-[[479]] AD)
Image:Jade dragon (Tang).jpg|Jade dragon, [[Tang Dynasty]] ([[618]]-[[907]] AD)
Image:Belt plaque with dragon design.jpg|Belt plaque with dragon, [[Yuan Dynasty]] ([[1279]]-[[1368]] AD)
Image:Belt plaque with dragon medallions design.jpg|Belt plaque with dragon, [[Ming Dynasty]] ([[1368]]-[[1644]] AD)
</gallery>
==See also==
*[[Jade burial suit]]
*[[Mumun Pottery Period]], the time in Korea when jade ornament production began
*[[Heavenly Horse Tomb]], a Silla royal tomb in Korea with jade artifacts.
*[[Pounamu]]
==References==
<references/>
*Scott-Clark, Cathy and Levy, Adrian. (2002) The Stone of Heaven: Unearthing the Secret History of Imperial Green Jade. ISBN [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Booksources&isbn=0316525960 0316525960]
==Further reading==
*Laufer, Berthold, 1912, ''Jade: A Study in Chinese Archeology & Religion'', Reprint: Dover Publications, New York. 1974.
*[[Jessica Rawson|Rawson, Jessica]], 1975, ''Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages'', London: Albert Saifer, ISBN 0-87556-754-1
*[http://www.jewelryprecious.com/dushan-jade-du-jade.html Dushan Jade (Du Jade)]
*[http://www.cigem.ca/pdf/jadeite.pdf Jadeite sources in Mesoamerica (PDF)]
*[http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4296520,00.html Between hell and the Stone of Heaven: Guardian article on Jade Mining in Burma]
*[http://asianart.com/articles/hoffman/index.html Old Chinese Jades: Real or Fake?]
*[http://newint.org/columns/media/books/2002/07/01/stone-of-heaven/ BOOK REVIEW, The Stone of Heaven: The Secret History of Imperial Green Jade by Adrian Levy and Cathy Scott-Clark]
==External links==
{{commonscat|Jade}}
*[http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/online_tours/asia/chinese_jade/chinese_jade.aspx The British Museum - 7,000 years of Chinese jade]
*[http://www.cedarseed.com/air/jade.html Jade and the Chinese]
*[http://dragonartwork.net/2008/01/11/more-ways-of-detecting-fake-chinese-dragon-carvings How To Tell Fake Jade]
*[http://www.authenticmaya.com/jade.htm Maya Jade]
*[http://www.gemstone.org/gem-by-gem/english/jade.html Jade: Chinese Stone of Heaven]
*[http://www.mindat.org/min-10403.html mindat.org]
*[http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/magazine/JA05/indepth/ Jade in Canada]
*[http://www.rightreading.com/writing/jade.htm Chinese Jade]
[[Category:Silicate minerals]]
[[Category:Gemstones]]
[[Category:Provincial symbols of British Columbia]]
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