Jade is believed to stimulate creativity and mental agility well encouraging practicality,
wisdom, love,and tolerance. It is also believed to have a balancing and harmonizing
effect, banishing negative thoughts and rejuvenating the wearer during times of
stress. In addition to this, Jade is also believed to increase body strength and
add longevity.
Physically, Jade has long been associated with the kidneys and is still a remedy
amongst healers of Nephritic Colic. It is also believed to help protect and aid
the heart, larynx, liver, spleen ,thymus, immune system, and nervous system.
Availability:
The correct geological conditions needed to produce Jadeite and Nephrite are rare,
therefore the stones are rare and scattered geographically. Purple Jade is of the
Jadeite variety and is incredibly rare.
Sources:
Purple Jade deposits are found in Turkey.
Evaluation:
Jade is rated at 6.5 to 7 on Moh's Scale of Hardness and is an extremely tough gemstone.
Pure Jade is actually white, with impurities responsible for the green, red, yellow,
pink, violet, orange, black, and brown colors. Purple Jade is of the Jadeite variety
and can be found in hues ranging from a light violet to a rich purple, with the
lighter colors being more common.
Although the intensity of the color is the most important factor determining Purple
Jades value, special attention should also be paid to the the stones transparency.
While Jade is never fully transparent, the higher level of transparency it exhibits,
the higher the value. In addition to this, the vivacity, texture, and clarity must
also be taken
into account with the overall evaluation of Jade.
When purchasing any variety of Jade, it is recommended that it is purchased from
a reputable dealer or jeweler.
This is due to poor quality Jade being found on the market that has been treated or artificially colored. With that being said, whether
purchasing Jade as a collectible item or as a piece of jewelry, its toughness, history,
and enchanting colors makes it a memorable gemstone.
Common Cuts:
Because of its smooth even texture, Jade has been a preferred material for carvings
dating back thousands of years. In regards to jewelry, because it does not exhibit
any considerable level of transparency but instead a fine luster, Jade is best suited for cabochon cuts.
Routine Enhancements:
Purple Jade is often enhanced with a two-step bleaching and polymer impregnation
treatment and also occasionally dyed to imitate natural colors.
Care & Cleaning:
Jade can be cleaned
using warm
soapy water and a soft brush. As with most gemstones,
Jade should be kept away from prolonged exposure to excessive amounts of heat and
household chemicals that could damage the stone. In addition to this, steamers and
ultrasonic cleaners should be avoided. Always store your Jade jewelry in a fabric-lined
box away from other jewelry items so as to avoid damage / scratching.
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