Uncover the fascinating varieties of jades beyond jadeite and nephrite, revealing their global significance and allure, especially in Singapore.
In the market, there are various types of Jades besides Jadeite or Nephrite. These include Dushan Jade, Serpentine Jades, Turquoise Stone, Lapis Lazuli, Lantian Jades, Malachite, Agalmatolite, and Aventurine quartz. These alternative varieties of jades can be found in Singapore and around the world.
Discover the Mesmerizing World of Jades:
Dushan Jades (独山玉):
Dushan jade derives its name from Dushan Mountain, situated in Henan Province, China, renowned for its extensive history in jades production. Approximately 4,000 years ago, the Nanyang people’s ancestors initiated the crafting of jade instruments.
Dushan jades, often referred to as Dushan jades, Swiss jade, or Nanyang jade, is a distinctive combination of fine-grained feldspar and epidote. However, contrary to its name, it is not authentic jade, which is primarily found in China and Burma.
Serpentine Jade (岫玉 / 蛇纹石):
Serpentine jade, a green variation of serpentine, serves as a gemstone, though it lacks the classification of a genuine jade. Serpentine, a group of minerals with a lower hardness and greater susceptibility to scratches than jade, is often utilized as a substitute. The term jade denotes materials based on their properties rather than their mineralogical composition. In ancient times, serpentine was believed to possess curative properties against poison and was worn as an amulet for protection against snakebites. It is frequently employed as an ornamental material and has been intricately carved into various decorative items, such as vases and figurines. Serpentine exhibits a diverse array of colors, including black, brown, gray, green, orange, pink, white, and yellow.
Turquoise Stone (绿松石):
Turquoise is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminium, characterized by its opaque nature and blue-to-green hue. Its chemical formula is CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O. This gemstone has been highly valued for centuries, particularly in its finer grades. In ancient Egyptian mythology, Turquoise held a special association with Hathor, the Goddess of Joy and Motherhood. Similarly, in the Americas, it was revered by warriors and referred to as the Campaigner’s Stone. When shaping Turquoise, it is commonly cut into a cabochon form, with a preference for a pure sky blue color. Potential buyers usually assess the stone based on its color, texture, and the presence or absence of matrix, considering these factors while evaluating the quality of Turquoise.
Lapis Lazuli – The Blue Stone – (青金石):
Lapis lazuli, also known as the ‘blue stone,’ has captivated artists throughout history with its stunning blue hue. In ancient Egypt, it was used to create cosmetic products, while during the Renaissance, painters would grind it into ultramarine, a blue pigment highly sought after for depicting skies and seas. Lapis lazuli was also employed in various forms, such as church wall panels, massive inlays, sculptures, and mosaics. Even today, this versatile gemstone continues to be utilized in sculpture, jewelry, objets d’art, mosaics, and as pigments for artistic purposes. Besides its aesthetic applications, lapis lazuli is believed to possess numerous beneficial qualities, including enhancing communication, promoting self-expression, facilitating emotional healing, nurturing spiritual growth, intuition, and inner wisdom. Furthermore, it is thought to have calming and stress-relieving effects, aiding in improved focus and mental clarity.
Lantian Jade (蓝田玉):
Lantian jade, originating in Lantian County, Shaanxi Province, China, has been utilized since the Qin Dynasty (221 BC to 206 BC) and gained prominence during the Tang and Song Dynasties (960 AD to 1270 AD). Renowned for its distinctive coloring and pattern irregularities, resulting from the inclusions of graphite and serpentine, there is ongoing discourse regarding the correlation between ancient and modern Lantian jade. While some assert that the Lantian jade showcased in the Geology Museum of Beijing in 1981 is of the same variety as the ancient Lantian jade, others contend that modern Lantian jade differs from its ancient counterpart.
Malachite (孔雀石):
Malachite is a bright green mineral that is formed by the weathering of copper orebodies. It is used as a mineral pigment in green paints and can indicate the presence of copper in geological exploration. From: Platinum-Nickel-Chromium Deposits, 2017. As malachite is copper ore long-term exposure can cause severe adverse effects from copper poisoning. This means that inhaling or ingesting malachite dust can be dangerous, so raw malachite should be treated with care and stored properly. The polished malachite used in jewellery and decoration is, however, harmless.
Agalmatolite (寿山石):
Agalmatolite, also referred to as pagodite, is a compact and soft stone utilized for carving miniature pagodas and images. This stone, which belongs to the pyrophyllite family, typically exhibits shades of grayish green or grayish yellow. It is occasionally described as soapstone due to its soapy texture. The term agalmatolite originated from the Greek words agalmat- and agalma, along with the New Latin term -lithus, and was first documented in 1801. This stone possesses calming properties that foster inner peace and mental clarity. It also encourages compassion and love, making it an ideal stone for emotional healing and alleviating concerns related to worry, fear, and depression.
Aventurine quartz (东陵石):
Aventurine quartz obtains its alluring shimmer through the presence of minute, leaf-shaped or plate-shaped inclusions, typically mica, which reflect light towards the observer. This phenomenon is termed as aventurescence. There are proponents who suggest that aventurine possesses therapeutic attributes, including stress reduction, confidence enhancement, and fortification of interpersonal bonds.
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