Yashab: Jade Gemstones

The word jade covers two different minerals. Jadeite is a pyroxene, denser and often more translucent, found in its finest form in Myanmar. Nephrite is an amphibole, made of tightly felted fibres. Both are exceptionally tough. Nephrite has its own collection on our site; this page gathers jadeite and stones sold under the general jade name, with the mineral stated on each listing.

In Persian and Urdu, Yashab has long meant a hard green stone worn in rings and amulets, and jade carving was a high art at the Mughal court.

What gives jade its value

• Colour: an even, vivid emerald green, called imperial in jadeite, is the most valuable. Lavender, white, yellow and black jadeite also exist.
• Translucency: light glowing through the stone adds depth and value.
• Texture: a fine, even grain takes a glassy polish.

Jadeite is graded by treatment. Untreated stones are called Type A. Type B has been bleached and filled with polymer, and Type C is dyed. B and C stones are much less valuable and may fade or weaken. Many green stones sold as jade are actually dyed quartzite, serpentine or glass. Each listing names the material and the treatment status we know.

Jade is sometimes worn in this region as a stone of good fortune in folk tradition, which we mention as custom only. It suits rings, pendants, bangles and carvings.

Jade is rated 6 to 7 for hardness, but its great strength is toughness: the interlocking structure resists chipping better than almost any gem. It suits daily rings and bangles. Clean with warm soapy water and avoid harsh chemicals, which can damage treated stones.