Hardness: 6.50
Refractive Index: 1.61-1.63
Specific Gravity: 2.96
Birthstone: May
Astral Stone: Pisces, Libra
Anniversary Stone: 12th
Origination: Myanmar, Japan, China, South America, Mexico, the United States & others.
Care & Cleaning: To clean, rub lightly with a soft polishing cloth. An optional dab of olive oil will produce a beautiful shine. If necessary, a plain water rinse may also be used. Do not soak.
Fiction, Facts & Folklore:
Nephrite is less translucent than jadeite, which makes it more suitable for carved jewelry pieces such as cameos. It is also seen in other more conventional forms of jewelry, including beads.
Nephrite, like its cousin jadeite is also found in a variety of colors besides green. These include black, cream and brown.
Gold electroplated nephrite has recently entered the consumer market. This application is best suited for a deep green to black variety of jade from California.
The structure of jade has earned it a reputation for being stronger than steel.
Although one tends to associate the Orientals with jade, certain South American cultures also hold the stone to be sacred.
Both cultures have been known to bury their dead with a piece of jade, in the belief that it brought good luck and happiness during their journey into the afterlife.
Jade is generally regarded as a stone that brings great wisdom. In fact, many Oriental businessmen keep a piece of jade close at hand for difficult decisions.
Wyoming and Alaska have adopted jade as their official state gemstone.
For additional information on jade, see �jadeite jade�.