elegantjade web store FAQ section

The following two quotes succinctly details why jade is so valued: *My teachings are easy to understand Easy to practice But no one can understand them Nor practice them In mine words, there is principle In the affairs of man, there is system. Because they are incapable of truly knowing this, They too are incapable of knowing mine true self. Since they do not know me Therefore am I distinguished Though I wear clothing made of burlap, I carry jade within my bosom. -LAO TZE, TAO TE CHING(THE WAY) *Its gentle, smooth, glossy appearance suggests charity of heart; Its fine close texture and hardness suggests wisdom; It is firm and yet does not wound, suggesting duty to one's neighbor; It hangs down as though sinking, suggesting ceremony; Struck, it gives a clear note, long drawn out, Dying gradually away and suggesting music; Its flaws does not hide its excellences, Nor does its excellences hide its flaws, suggesting loyalty; It gains our confidence, suggesting truth; Its spirituality is like the bright rainbow, Suggesting the earth below; As articles of regalia it suggests the exemplification Of that than which there is nothing in the world of equal value, And thereby is Tao itself. -Confucius

JADE (YU) in China refers to a fine beautiful stone with a warm color and rich luster. The chinese character for Jade was originally represented by three pieces of jade threaded by a string. The chinese character for Emperor was also represented by a similar symbol. Each line represented Heaven, Earth and the Underworld. The vertical line running through the three horizontal lines represented the Emperor. There were three Emperors, one for each plane of existance. Chinese scholars today believe that the symbol for jade might have been the same as the symbol for Emperor. The extra dot was believed to be a simple clerical error that eventually caused the symbols to differ. In the chinese culture, jade symbolizes nobility, perfection, constancy and immortality. For millenia, jade has been an integral part of the lives of the chinese. To them, jade was viewed as the most valuable of all precious stones. Aside from commercial value, Jade also possessed occult value. Since nearly the beginning of the Chinese civilization, it was considered the " Stone of Heaven". JADE is found in mountains and riverbeds. The Chinese considered Jade to be "the essence of Heaven and Earth." Jade is an essence produced through the natural forces of rivers and mountains over eons. If jade is not skillfully cut and polished, the potential richness and luster that people prize cannot be expressed. When polished and carved, jade is attributed with certain cultural characteristics. Jade symbolized the noble bearing of a gentlemen. Jade has served as talismens, amulets for protection, badges of social rank, stores of value, medium of exchange, and conveyors of Imperial Court and military orders. They were esteemed gifts and object of arts. Jade in its purest form, was a link between the physical world and the spiritual world.

Please make certain that you are comparing the same quality of jade. As with all gems, differing qualities creates different pricing. The majority of jade shops on the internet are selling treated jade such as Type B or Type C jade.( Please check the description of Natural Jade in our website)

If they cannot guarantee it is Type A Jade in writing, most likely they are not Type A Jade, no matter what they say. If the seller can guarantee they are selling 100% real burmese jade in writing, they again are most likely not selling Type A Burmese Jade. Treated jade is still 100% real burmese jade. It is just not Type A Burmese jade. This classification(Type A , Type B, Type C) is an international classification and is used by the jade industry. Some sellers even produce certificates indicating the jade is 100% real burmese jade with 100% natural color. Again, read between the lines. Type B (See Classification of Jade) jade is treated to remove unwanted substances from its internal structure in order to make it more translucent. It is still 100% real burmese jade with 100% natural color. It is just not Type A Burmese jade. Sometimes the color uniformity of Type B and C jades are too even. Again, that is not always the case. Be sure to buy from a reliable source for Jade. Treated Jade is okay if you want one for purely ornamental purposes and structural integrity is not of primary concern. They deteriorate as time passes, so their resale value is quite low.

Imperial jade refers to Imperial Green jadeite found in Burma. Only jadeite with elements of Chromium (Cr++) are considered imperial green jade. They are a deep green in color and very valuable. A paler green is due to the presence of iron (Fe). Those pieces are not considered imperial green jade. They can still be quite valuable, although not as valuable as Imperial green Jade.