Jades Story

In this episode - Jades Story . . .

Don't be alarmed; Yes, it's me, I'm the ravishing beauty on your wrist, and my name is Jade. I know what you're thinking - how can this possibly be - this bracelet is talking to me?

People don't realize it, but we're always trying to talk to your species. It's just that most of you are too academic to listen. If I reveal my inner secrets to you, will you share them with your world?

I am what your species calls a mineral, one of over 3,000 known minerals, and a gem among gemstones. Most call me Jade. However, gemologists classify my family into two species, nephrite, and jadeite. I realize that my cousin, nephrite, has slightly different characteristics. But what does that matter? We've been around much longer than you. Grab a seat, and let me tell you my story.

My interest in your species began in ancient Burma (Myanmar), where most of my family is from. I'm fascinated with how your people respond to my beauty, mystique, value, and allure. You have referenced me in many ancient textbooks; It was Confucius who said, "Jade is like virtue, and its brightness represents heaven." I'm flattered. It's believed that my smooth, luscious texture and soothing color promote wisdom, spiritual balance, and peace among your people, and for that, I am proud.

So, enjoy my silky feel as I caress your wrist. If I please you, boost your self-esteem, or simply fill a craving in your heart for beauty, then I am safe with you. Many of my family have been passed down through generations of yours. I'm typically shaped into bracelets, cabochons, tablets, beads, or carvings. If you take good care of me, we will be companions for a long time.

Many other beautiful gemstones look similar to me, especially in this semitransparent, intense green color you admire; Maw-sit-sit, hydrogrossular garnet, idocrase, saussurite, dyed jadeite, prehnite, turquoise, nephrite, and dyed calcite. And - I can appear in so many other colors as well! Your own ancient Chinese wisdom says best: "Gems are valuable; Jade is priceless."

Compared to other gemstones, I'm not a hard one to know, 6.5 on what you call the Mohs scale, but you can bank on the fact that I'm one tough cookie. My fibrous, interlocking, aggregate structure makes it difficult for me to break. Legend has it that I will, in fact, "protect my wearer from harm, particularly from a fall." You can wear me on your wrist for life, and I'll always maintain my integrity. Speaking of integrity, I'm surprised and somewhat shocked that your species are constantly tinkering with new ways to alter my appearance. In so doing, you've given me quite a few, and if I may say, odd names; A Type Jade, B Type Jade, C Type Jade. I understand why. It goes back to what you humans call inherent value. An untouched lustrous specimen, rich in color, like me, is very, very rare, created by Mother Nature herself. I've seen these cosmetically altered (treated) Jades in abundance, whose new "look" results from some laboratory interference, a human attempt to make some of us look better than we are. Who are you trying to fool - and why? Like you, we're all unique and beautiful in our own natural way: can't you accept that fact?

Gemologists, too, are often poking, scratching, and dabbing me with chemicals. I understand that, in some ways, it is necessary: it's an attempt to document my characteristics for proof of identification.

Come closer, listen carefully: when you take time to get to know me, like some of you do at the Jade Market in Hong Kong (one of my favorite cities, by the way), you will recognize me for what I am; an intimate friend and loyal companion. I see merchants in that fair city whispering among one another as I'm passed around. These experts recognize me with their practiced eye for assessing my superb color and greasy luster. I feel their appreciation of my translucent appearance and their practiced fingers caress me with a gentle touch.

Yes, sometimes I'm difficult to recognize, especially by those who don't have the expertise in handling my species, many ignore or simply overlook my unique characteristics. For you gem geeks, light interacts with my structure to provide a good 1.66 spot reading on your refractometer. Oh, and by the way, that contact liquid used to measure my refractive index is such a strong chemical. Must you insist on using it? I urge you to step back and carefully look at me: feel my texture, learn to trust your observational skills, your intuition, and your gift of deductive reasoning.

If you happen to travel to Hong Kong, take a lesson from seasoned Jade experts; they identify my quality simply by my appearance and lustrous feel. I realize that the price put upon me can be very high, and this makes people nervous. Such skeptics need written proof of my originality. Some gem laboratories can provide you with an identification report to ease your fears, especially when the boundary between nephrite and jadeite is blurred or when it is just not clear if I am treated or not - or to what degree. You can tell the world about me in whatever way you choose, though I insist you always disclose any alterations to my otherwise natural make-up.

With practice, it's possible to become an expert about me through sight and touch. You may also document my properties with pages of scientific facts; however, realize that your species only listen when they're quite ready to. I call this, "selective absorption."

And finally, remember this: you made the commitment to take me home with you. It was purely emotional, wasn't it? Good, then our relationship is just beginning; let's travel the world and enjoy life's experiences together. Isn't that the true value we share in this lifetime? Wear me with pride and please, from now on - let me do the talking.

(This piece was originally written by Patrick Ball, G.G. - for the Winter 2013 edition, of the Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) Newsletter in San Diego, CA. updated July 8, 2022.)

I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.