An Elephant Charm Made of Jade

Today’s elephant is a charm I found while visiting a jade factory in China. This little elephant is made of jade and I wear this charm on a necklace I own.

Jade has been mined and worked in China since the Stone Age. Chinese jade refers to the jade mined or carved in China from the Neolithic Period onward. The Chinese regard carved-jade objects as inherently valuable.

The jade trade to China flourished throughout the Silk Road period. The silk road was a network of paths connecting the Eastern and Western civilizations. This road was well travelled for about 1,400 years.

Jade is actually two different stones. They are Nephrite and Jadeite. The first jadeite reached China from Burma in the late 1700s. Burma is now known as Myanmar.

Jade is mined in many places around the world. Both jadeite and nephrite are found in Russia, China and Guatemala. Nephrite has also been discovered in New Zealand and in the Swiss Alps.

Jade is one of the most prized stones in China. In Chinese culture jade is a symbol of goodness, preciousness and beauty. This beautiful stone stands for strength and good luck.

The finest jadeite is almost transparent. It has a pure, emerald green colour due to chromium and is known as ‘Imperial jade’. Coloured by iron, spinach green nephrite is the most treasured.

Carvers have created masterpieces that are unsurpassed in concept and design. Beyond monetary value, jade is greatly prized as it represents beauty, grace, and purity. There is a Chinese saying ‘gold has a value; jade is invaluable.’

My memento of my visit to the jade factory caught my eye not only because it was carved as an elephant but because jade is one of the birthstones for the month of August. You guessed it. My birthday is in August.

# living life abundantly   # published author