From:
John Twilley <jtwilley@zzzzzzzzzzz>
Date:
Wed, 22 Dec 2004 21:52:47 -0500
Subject:
jade
"Jade" is a somewhat loose term used to mean either of two different materials in asian art. The one with the longest history of use (thousands of years) is known by the term nephrite. The other type, known as jadeite, came into
use in China only in the last few centuries when Burmese material was introduced. Unlike "nephrite", "jadeite" is a specific mineral name.
The material along the western coast of North America belongs to the nephrite class and does come in beautiful large boulders. Nephrite is not a formal mineral name, but refers to a specific, tightly interlocked form of either
tremolite (white, brown or pale green) or actinolite (dark green). Either of these two minerals is rough and splintery in their more common forms.
The National Geographic magazine has done a couple of good articles on the subject over the years including photos of boulders in-situ. One in the late 80's was particularly good in explaining the materials to a lay audience: Ward
Fred, Jade: Stone of Heaven, National Geographic, vol. 172 N 3, National Geographic Society, Washington D.C., 1987, p. 283-316
John Twilley
Tom Blatt wrote:
Quoted text begins. I've heard there are non-gem quality boulders of jade or jadeite available especially in Alaska and a more limited quantity available along the coast in Northern California.
End of quote.
- References
- message 00578: Pro-bono refininshing project - Tim Bunton (17 Dec 2004)
- message 00579: Pro-bono refininshing project - John Twilley (17 Dec 2004)
- Previous by Thread: message 00587: mortar ethics - Charles Kibby (19 Dec 2004)
- Next by Thread: message 00584: Pro-bono refininshing project - Nick Durnan (19 Dec 2004)
- Previous by Date: message 00597: die grinders - grossman (22 Dec 2004)
- Next by Date: message 00599: drugs and marble - John Twilley (23 Dec 2004)
