Jade: What to Look For By Yong Hua He Ming's sister is our resident jewelry expert!

In China we call it “yu,” a word that has come to signify that something is precious. In America, you might say that something very nice or wonderful is “pure gold.” In China, we say it’s “pure jade.”

We have treasured jade in China for thousands of years as a symbol of both wealth and love. In fact, the Chinese character for jade symbolizes both heaven and earth, which is a good example of how we respect this precious stone.

There are actually two stones that are referred to as jade. One is a mineral called nephrite, the other is a pyroxene called jadeite.

When you buy jade, you’ll want to look for jadeite. It’s green coloration is much more vivid and the stone more translucent than nephrite. It also, however, commands a higher price in jewelry stores.

But did you know jade doesn’t have to be green at all? Some jadeite can be lavender, pink, yellow or white. And nephrite can even be brown or black.

Unlike diamonds, you don’t buy jade by the carat, but judged as a piece on its own. Usually, jade is cut into circular shapes in jewelry, the most common being the doughnut-shaped pendants we call “pi.”

Jade buyers and collectors usually look at the jade’s coloration as its greatest asset. You should also notice how translucent the stone is, what its texture is, and what pattern is on the jade. One such pattern is called “moss in snow.”

Jade is valuable as an antique, too. It was especially popular during the Art Deco period and was shaped into beaded earrings and necklaces that are now sold for a very handsome price.