Jade
Symbol: Prosperity & Abundance
Jade refers to two distinct minerals — jadeite and nephrite — both prized for their remarkable toughness and smooth, waxy luster. Its color ranges from vivid green to lavender and white, depending on trace mineral content.
Where It Comes From
Myanmar produces the finest jadeite in the world. Nephrite has historically come from China and New Zealand.
What Different Peoples Believed
| People | What It Symbolized |
|---|---|
| Chinese tradition | Carved for over 5,000 years and associated with virtue; used in imperial seals. |
| Māori tradition (New Zealand) | Nephrite, known as pounamu, carved into ceremonial tools passed down through generations. |
| Maya and Aztec civilizations | Valued above gold and carved into ceremonial masks and ornaments. |
Birth Month
Jade isn't one of the 12 official birthstones. It's sometimes used as an alternative birthstone for March.