Description
Sterling Silver Burmese Multi-Colour Jadeite And Garnet Necklace.
18 inches.
Jadeite is a pyroxene mineral and one of the two types of pure jade. The other is known as nephrite jade. Jadeite is the rarer of the two jades, and as a result, it is considered to be more precious and valuable. The most valuable form of jadeite is a striking and even emerald green known as “imperial jadeite”. The history of jadeite goes back several thousand years when it was first used to make weapons and tools because of its toughness. Jadeite was highly prized by the Mayans and Aztecs, in fact the name “jade” originates from the Spanish “piedra de ijada”, meaning “stone for the pain in the side”. It was thus named after Spanish explorers noticed natives of Central America holding pieces of jade to their sides to cure ills. In Chinese, jade is known as “yu”, which means “heavenly” or “imperial”. Therefore, it is considered to be the imperial gem in Chinese culture. In China, jade was found in the tombs of Shang kings.