# Jade

> Jade is the name for two minerals, jadeite and nephrite; very tough, it is the sacred gem of China, Mesoamerica and New Zealand (pounamu).

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/jade/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-09-28
- Updated: 2026-10-04
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/jade/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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Jade is the name for two different minerals, jadeite and nephrite, that share great toughness and a characteristic green color. It is one of the most revered stones in history, in China, Mesoamerica and New Zealand.

## Properties

- **Types:** jadeite (rarer and more valuable) and nephrite (more common, used in Māori pounamu)
- **Hardness:** between 6 and 7 on the Mohs scale, but with exceptional toughness.
- **Color:** green in all its shades; also lavender, white, yellow and black.
- **Origins:** Myanmar (jadeite), China, Guatemala, Russia and New Zealand (nephrite)
- **Treatments:** grades A (natural), B (bleached and polymer-impregnated) and C (dyed) indicate the level of treatment.

## Uses in jewelry

- Bangles, beads, pendants and carvings.
- Amulets and traditional jewelry of China, Mesoamerica and New Zealand.
- Contemporary jewelry.

## Pros and cons

### Advantages

- Very tough: it resists knocks.
- Loaded with cultural meaning.
- Carved into very varied shapes.

### Limitations

- Many imitations and treated pieces exist.
- Quality jadeite is very expensive.
- Impregnated (grade B) pieces deteriorate over time.

## Care and cleaning

- Clean with lukewarm water, mild soap and a cloth.
- Avoid strong chemicals.
- For grade B jade, avoid ultrasonic and acids.

## See also

- [Mesoamerican jewelry: jade, gold and feathers](https://www.711grados.com/en/mesoamerican-jewelry/)
- [Māori pounamu: hei-tiki, hei matau and koru](https://www.711grados.com/en/maori-pounamu/)
- [Symbols in traditional jewelry and their meaning](https://www.711grados.com/en/symbols-in-traditional-jewelry/)