Stone 101
Jade is two different stones sharing one name. One of them is British Columbia's gem.
Jade is famous for its green, but it also comes in white, black and lavender. Here you'll find nephrite chunks and slices, bead bracelets and bead strands.
Shop Jade by shape
The basics
"Jade" covers two different rocks. Nephrite is made of amphibole minerals. Jadeite is made of a pyroxene mineral. They look alike but aren't the same thing.
Nephrite is a mat of tiny interlocking fibres, which makes it incredibly tough.
Canada supplies a big share of the world's carving nephrite, much of it from British Columbia.
Rituals, not rules
These are traditions people enjoy, not promises. Pick the one you keep coming back to.
Care
Straight talk
Lots of stone sold as "jade" isn't nephrite or jadeite. Malaysia jade is dyed quartz, and serpentine and aventurine get called jade too. Our Xinshan jade is a serpentine, and names like fossil jade or orange jade don't always mean true jade. Our true nephrite says Nephrite in the title.
Good questions
It's traditionally linked with luck, harmony and protection, especially in Chinese culture, where it's been treasured for thousands of years.
They're two different rocks. Nephrite is made of amphibole fibres and is extra tough. Jadeite is a pyroxene, a bit harder, and its bright green kind is the rarer, pricier one.
Yes. British Columbia is one of the world's big nephrite sources, and jade is BC's official gemstone.
Check the stone name first. True jade is nephrite or jadeite. Very bright or unusual colours are often dyed stone. Nephrite feels cool, heavy and almost waxy.
