About Jade

Jadite and Nephrite are the two types of material commonly referred to as Jade.

Nephrite is associated with old jade and has been used for carvings and decoration for over 3000 years. It is from various areas of Western China and is most valued for it’s carving, not for it’s color.

Jadite is the stone that most of us associate as Jade. It has a short history in China, only 250 years, so it is fairly new. It is all mined in Burma (Myanmar), and is brought in over the mountainous roads of South Western China to the jade dealers and carvers who create the spectacular carvings of all sizes and shapes.

Jadite is described by it’s colors – apple, lavender, mutton fat, and imperial are some of the most common terms. It’s also described by it’s classification of “A”, “B”, or “C”.
Grade “A” is natural, unadulterated jadeite. Grade “B” is material that has been bleached and impregnated with a resin. Grade “C” has been treated, impregnated with resin, and dyed. All of the jade that we sell is “A” grade.

We are very cautious when we are shopping abroad, and we are fortunate to have a solid relationship with a limited number of jade cutters. We are able to go directly to their lapidary studios and see the raw material, so we know what we are buying and have been able to watch the pieces being carved.

The scrap from these cutters is sold to other lapidaries who produce tiny jade beads that are used as “filler” in some of our earrings and necklaces. There is no way to really know what grade those beads are. When we buy in small villages we use our experience, wits, and relationships to insure we are buying only “A” grade.

Jade is our first love, and we are committed to quality!