Jade, Jadeite, Nephrite, Greenstone - Pounamu, is just some of the names given to this semi-precious Green Stone revered across many cultures for thousands of years, has an array of highly desirable properties aside from its inherent geological makeup. Jade is as highly-prized today as it was by the ancient cultures thousands of years ago.
The word nephrite comes from the Greek word nephros and the meaning kidney. This semi-precious stone was ground up and taken as a paste by sufferers of kidney stones, nephritis. Many people wore jade charms and pendants to protect the kidneys as well as liver, spleen, heart, larynx, thymus and thyroid. New age books explaining healing crystals still credit jade with the ability to strengthen the kidneys and assist with bladder problems.
Jade is the name loosely used to describe the nephrite and jadeite. Whilst similar in appearance, these two gemstones are very different in both chemical and structural make up.
Maori discovered and began using Pounamu ; nephrite jade for items of adornment,
Most of what they used for tools, weapons and personal ornamentation would have been found such as boulders, rocks and pebbles in New Zealand West coast rivers, streams and on beaches after being washed from the Southern Alps by the many swift-flowing rivers ; some, like the Taramakau, Arahura and their tributaries, were more productive than others.
Although occasional large chunks may have been extracted from the mountainsides, old-time Maori never mined nephrite jade.
The word nephrite comes from the Greek word nephros and the meaning kidney. This semi-precious stone was ground up and taken as a paste by sufferers of kidney stones, nephritis. Many people wore jade charms and pendants to protect the kidneys as well as liver, spleen, heart, larynx, thymus and thyroid. New age books explaining healing crystals still credit jade with the ability to strengthen the kidneys and assist with bladder problems.
Jade is the name loosely used to describe the nephrite and jadeite. Whilst similar in appearance, these two gemstones are very different in both chemical and structural make up.
Maori discovered and began using Pounamu ; nephrite jade for items of adornment,
Most of what they used for tools, weapons and personal ornamentation would have been found such as boulders, rocks and pebbles in New Zealand West coast rivers, streams and on beaches after being washed from the Southern Alps by the many swift-flowing rivers ; some, like the Taramakau, Arahura and their tributaries, were more productive than others.
Although occasional large chunks may have been extracted from the mountainsides, old-time Maori never mined nephrite jade.
Varieties
New Zealand has many different varieties of Jade, listed below are a preferred selection used for carving due to there stunning colors and finish that can be achieved.