Lapidary Journal: Mesoamerican Jade, February 2001

Lapidary Journal: Mesoamerican Jade, February 2001

2007 Sinkankas Symposium

Jade expert and archaeologist Mary Lou Ridinger attended the 2007 Sinkankas Symposium held on April 21 at GIA´s Carlsbad Campus in California. There she spoke about Jadeite from Guatemala´s Motagua River Valley, which have been exploited since Mayan times.

"Mary Lou Ridinger has developed several concessions to mine specific areas in the region and operated a vertically integrated business with manufacturing facilities, museums and showrooms in Guatemala. The mission of our business in Guatemala has always been to mine with care to protect the environment, not exploit workers or subject Guatemalan jadeite to bleaching treatments, she said. We are adamant about protecting Guatemalan Maya archaeology and never trade in archaeological artifacts. She described green, lilac, black, galatic(which has metallic inclusions sprinkled through the material) varieties of jadeite and noted that a form of blue jade as also been found there." quote from The Loupe GIA World News Vol. 16, No. 3

In Memoriam: David R. Hargett, Gemologist and Friend

In memory of our good friend David Hargett who passed away a few years ago in New York, the city he called his home for the most of his adult life.

David worked for the Gemological Institute of America in New York for 16 years. He obtained his his Graduate Gemologist diploma in Santa Monica, California and a bachelor´s degree from New York University. He is recognized for developing many of the techniques still used today to recognize synthetic and treated colored stones, as well as cultured pearls and enhanced diamonds.

Through his dedicated gemological research and an overall strong work ethic, he gained the respect and admiration of gemologist all over the world.

Jades, S.A. has been welcoming visitors to its factory and show rooms since it opened its doors in 1974. This is the year archaeologist, Mary Lou Johnson, rediscovered the lost Jade quarries of the Maya in the Motagua Valley, Zacapa, Guatemala and began the Jade industry again after 500 years of dormancy.

What is Jade?

It is a generic term used in mineralogy to describe two different stones “Jadeite” (Sodium-Aluminum-Silicate) and “Nephrite” (Calcium-Magnesium-Iron Silicate) The first one is the hardest and densest with more brilliant colors and variety, it is found in 6 places worldwide : Burma (Myanmar) and Guatemala are the largest producers. Nephrite is found in 16 places; is waxy to the touch; has a fibrous structure and it is used primarily for carving. Canada is the largest producer of nephrite in the world.

What is the origin of the term Jade? Formerly the Aztecs called it Chalchihuitl” and the Mayas called it “Yax Tun” (green stone). When the Spaniards arrived in Mesoamerica they noticed that the natives rubbed a green stone on the abdomen to cure kidney and liver ailments. They called the stone “Pierre de yjade” (Lapiz Nefriticus). An error in French printing gave us the term jade because instead of writing “Pierre d’ ejade” they wrote “Pierre de Jade”. Later, a French scientist Alexis Damour (1863) determined that Chinese Jade was chemically different from Burmese jade and coined the term “Jadeite” for the Burmese jade and “Nephrite” for the Chinese variety.. When the first jade stones were found in Guatemala (1953). It was noted that they were jadeite-jade variety.

Jade Color Properties

COLOR PROPERTIES

WHITE JADE

Purity and healing. Tones and strengthens body and mind. Imparts a sense of strength and courage. Works with chakras and attitudes. Reduces stress. Relaxing, peace of mind.

JADE BLANCO

La pureza y la curación. Tonifica y fortalece el cuerpo y la mente. Proporciona una sensación de fuerza y coraje. Trabaja con los chakras y las actitudes. Reduce el estrés. Relajante, la paz de la mente.

GREEN JADE

Fertility, good fortune and prosperity. Strengthens heart, kidneys, immune system. Helps cleanse blood increases longevity and fertility. Aids eye disorders and female problems. Powerful emotional balancer. Radiates divine, unconditional love. Clarity, modesty, courage, justice, wisdom. Peaceful and nurturing. Dispels negativity. Healing affinity will correspond to particular color of stone.

JADE VERDE

La fertilidad, la buena fortuna y prosperidad. Fortalece el corazón, los riñones, el sistema inmunológico. Ayuda a limpiar la sangre aumenta la longevidad y fecundidad. Ayudas para los trastornos oculares y problemas femeninos. Equilibrador emocional de gran alcance. Irradia belleza, el amor incondicional. Claridad, modestia, valentía, justicia, sabiduría. Pacífica y la crianza. Disipa la negatividad. Afinidad a la curación correspondra ha determinado color del jade verde.

BLACK JADE

Power and protection. Stimulates muscle tissue. Strengthens blood. Emotional tranquility, positive attitudes towards life. Brings one into alignment with their center. Independence. Health, wellbeing. Chakra(s) heart.

JADE NEGRO
Poder y protección. Estimula el tejido muscular. Fortalece la sangre. Tranquilidad emocional, las actitudes positivas hacia la vida. Le lleva a la alineación con el centro de su cuerpo. Independencia. Salud, bienestar. Chakra (s) de corazón.

LILAC JADE

Love, serenity and joy. Strengthens immune system. Enhances right brain activity. Powerful blood cleanser and energizer. Helps mental disorders. Purification and regeneration on all levels of consciousness. Excellent for meditation. Calming, strong protective qualities. Healing, divine love, inspiration, intuition.

JADE LILA
El amor, la serenidad y la alegría. Fortalece el sistema inmunológico. Aumenta la actividad cerebral derecho. Limpiador de sangre y energizante. Ayudas a eliminar trastornos mentales. Purificación y regeneración en todos los niveles de conciencia. Excelente para la meditación. Calmante, fuerte cualidad de protección. La curación, amor divino, inspiración, intuición.

OLMEC JADE

Self mastery, strength and balance. Alleviates fears, guilt, and tension. Helps clear subconscious imbalances. Creative expression, communication, joy, emotional balance.

JADEOLMECA
Dominio de sí mismo, fuerza y equilibrio. Alivia el temor, la culpa y la tensión. Ayuda aclarar los desequilibrios del subconsciente. Expresión creativa, comunicación, alegría, equilibrio emocional.

GALACTIC JADE

Magic, mysticism and divinity. Enhances body{s healing energy. Diminishes self-destructive tendencies. Raises self-esteem. Powerful alignment with Higher Self. Lightheartedness, cheerfulness, hope, energizing, attracts abundance.

JADE GALACTICO

Magia, misticismo y divinidad. Aumenta la energía curativa del cuerpo. Disminuye las tendencias autodestructivas. Aumenta la autoestima. Alineación de gran alcance con el Yo Superior. Desenfado, alegría, esperanza, energizante, atrae la abundancia.

DOLPHIN JADE

Energizing and awakening. Calm nerves, reduces fluid retention. Strengthens kidneys, liver. Purifies the body. Physical/emotional/mental balancer. Helps banish fears and phobias. Inspiration, peace, calmness and love.

JADE DELFIN

Energizante y despertar. Calma los nervios, reduce la retención de líquidos. Fortalece los riñones, el hígado. Purifica el cuerpo. Física / emocional / equilibrador mental. Ayuda a desterrar los miedos y fobias. Inspiración, paz, tranquilidad y amor.

MINT JADE

Peace and wisdom. Strengthens heart, circulatory system. Aids sleep. Vitalizing for body. Reveals subconscious blocks. Excellent balancer on all levels.

JADE COLOR MENTA

Paz y sabiduría. Fortalece el corazón, sistema circulatorio. Ayuda a dormir. Vitalizante para el cuerpo. Revela bloques subconsciente. Equilibrador excelente en todos los niveles.