Nephrite

Nephrite is a beautiful and tough mineral. It belongs to a group called amphibole. Its main parts are calcium, magnesium, and iron. With jadeite, it is one of the two minerals known as jade. Nephrite jade is usually gray or green. It can also be yellow, brown, black, or white. People often make it into decorations, beads, or shiny, rounded gemstones called cabochons. In the United States, Wyoming chose nephrite as its official state mineral.

You can find nephrite in many colors and shapes. In China, a clear white to pale yellow type is called “mutton fat” jade. An opaque white or light brown form is known as “chicken bone” jade. Green nephrite is also very popular. Today, most nephrite for jewelry comes from western Canada. Long ago, people in China, New Zealand, North America, Neolithic Europe, and southeast Asia liked nephrite jade for its beauty and strength.

Name

The name nephrite comes from old words that meant "kidney stone." Long ago, people believed this stone could help with problems in the kidneys. Over time, the name changed into the one we use today.

Nephrite has many other names, like "axe-stone," "B.C. jade," and "New Zealand greenstone." These names come from different places and cultures where people liked and valued the stone for its beauty and strength. Some old pieces of nephrite found in tombs are called "tomb jade" or "grave jade" because of how special they look.

Main article: Tremolite

Main articles: Pounamu, Jade

History

Nephrite has been used by many cultures for thousands of years. In Europe, from the Early Neolithic to the Late Chalcolithic periods, people in the Balkans, Poland, Sardinia, and Switzerland made tools and amulets from nephrite. These items show that nephrite was valued and traded even in ancient times.

In China, nephrite, called "mutton fat" jade, was very important. It was used to make decorations and ceremonial objects. The best nephrite came from Khotan in Xinjiang and was given as tribute to the Chinese imperial court. In Taiwan and Southeast Asia, nephrite jade was a major trade item. In New Zealand, nephrite is known as pounamu and is important to the Māori people. It is used to make weapons, ornaments, and tools, and is protected under the Treaty of Waitangi.