Jade is one of the most beautiful stones created by nature. The color of jade can be emerald-dark, apple-colored, herbaceous-green, greenish, yellowish-white and yellowish-green. There may be irregularities in color and pinpoint inclusions of minerals. Its name comes from the Greek word - "kidney" - ??????. In ancient times, it was believed that the stone can heal from kidney disease and many other diseases.

Jade deposits are found in many countries: China, Russia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, USA, etc.

The most common green jade, which is a type of actinolite - nephrite-actinolite (the latter name is associated with the acicular-radiant form of the aggregates and translated from Greek means - radiant stone). Its chemical composition is determined by the formula - Ca2Fe5 [Si4O11] 2 (OH) 2, from which it can be seen that the green color is due to the iron content in it, although there are also impurities of other elements - vanadium, chromium, nickel.

There is also jade, which is a type of tremolite series - jade-tremolite. Tremolite is named after the site of the first find in the Tremolite Valley. Jade-tremolite - Ca2Mg5 [Si4O11] 2 (OH) 2, one might say, is white.

Jade is a very hard stone, the secret of its hardness is in the peculiarities of its structure - fine interweaving of crystal fibers makes this stone twice as strong as steel. Therefore, in ancient times, people made various tools and weapons from jade. When metals began to be used, jade moved into the category of materials for arts and crafts.

The strength of the stone allows you to grind complex shapes out of it and highlight its best properties - shades and translucency, which makes beautiful patterns of veins and spots more pronounced.

The art of jade carving originated in China. The famous mineralogist A.E. Fersman called jade "China's national stone." In this country, special respect for him, he was valued even higher than gold, endowed with supernatural properties.

In ancient times, plaques were made from it, which were valued on a par with coins, and paired jade plates were a passport for the emperor's envoys. The first place winners were presented with jade sceptres, the second place gold and the third place ivory.

Imperial seals, insignia of nobles, household and cult objects, balls located one in the other, bowls, cups, beautiful vases and boxes, various figurines, bottles for incense, chess figures, various decorations and, of course, Buddha statues in temples.

For the Chinese, jade has a divine origin, so you can find more than one jade Buddha statue in the country. One of the finest examples of oriental art is the white jade statue in Shanghai. Jade was called the stone of heaven, earth, wisdom and eternity.

The Chinese writer Hiu-Chin has recorded five major virtues attributed to jade in China. All of them correspond to the five mental qualities of a person. This is the soft luster of a stone - kindness, strength - moderation and justice, the melodic sound upon impact is compared with the meaning of science; inflexibility is courage; the internal structure of jade, not amenable to counterfeiting, is the emblem of purity.

The Chinese endowed nephritis with medicinal properties, it healed not only the kidneys, but all diseases in general, it was applied to sore spots. Chinese jade balls are still used for face and body massage.

Jade, besides China, enjoys special respect in many other countries. V Ancient egypt the stone was considered sacred, the priests in their temples performed magic rituals, communicating with the kingdom of the dead.Jade was associated with magic and power, it was used in jewelry only by pharaohs and noble people.

For the Turks, jade was the stone of victory; the handles of military weapons - knives, axes, swords - were made from it. The Turks also appreciated jewelry made of jade, they made rings, bracelets, buckles from it. The Mongols also treated jade with awe and awe.

Diamonds are loved, admired, they are also deified, but this is rather a worship of beauty. The way of life of peoples is associated with jade, it is a part of spiritual culture. Many proverbs that talk about the moral qualities of a person are associated with the properties of jade. The sages also loved the stone. Confucius said about a good man: "His morality is as pure as jade."

Jade is the symbol of China. China is one of the most ancient civilizations, which, despite the brutal wars that took place in the world, survived. Perhaps this is the merit of jade? Or maybe the Chinese are just as stubborn, patient and persistent as jade….

In Russia, jade was originally brought from China, and from the middle of the 19th century, they began to supply their jade, mined in the Eastern Sayan Mountains, to the Peterhof Lapidary Factory. The factory created vases, bowls, figurines, knives, ashtrays, writing instruments, bracelets, brooches... Jade items made by Russian craftsmen are kept in the Hermitage. Today, jade is used to make fine jewelry and souvenirs.

With such popularity in the East, jade has become a stone for many peoples - a talisman that brings success, wisdom, happiness, and protects warriors from injury, gives courage and strength, and leads to victory.

The most famous and famous jade products, besides the numerous Buddha statues

1. Tombstone in the tomb of Timur (Tamerlane), made of a huge slab of dark green jade.
2. Genghis Khan's seal in the form of a jade tiger figurine.
3. Sarcophagus of Tsar Alexander III made of whole Siberian jade.
4. Field marshal's staff of Nicholas II made of jade in a gold frame, presented by the Chinese embassy.
5. The jade scepter of Queen Victoria of England, sent as a gift by the Chinese emperor.

If you want to give yourself a gift, jade jewelry is ideal, because it is so durable that it is not so easy to scratch or split, so the gift will last forever. Moreover, it does not require any special care.

Jade necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pendants, rings with green shades are suitable for many, but these jewelry are especially well combined with those who have green eyes or red hair. And try not to forget that jade brings success and victory, but only to those who themselves strive to be persistent, stubborn and strong, like jade ...