Healing Gems - TRUTH or Manufactured BS?I made a comment that the "truth" in the gem and mineral trade is even worse than in the UFO circus... well I will expound on that here... and at the same time this will serve as an information source for what is real in online sales...
But first... the New Age "Healing Properties of Gemstones"....
Now as a disclaimer I KNOW that certain crystals and elements have certain properties, and that the Placebo effect of a believer can sometimes do wonders...
But when you run your hands through a box of tumbled rocks (that are not crystals :P) and tell me you can 'feel the enegry in them" I will draw the line. At the last gem show I did a woman was explaining her powers to a friend trying to sell her on something. I handed the 'healer' a glass imitation of Snowflake Obsidian and asked her what she could sense... got quite a report... (never told her it was glass :P)
I then asked her if there was really any truth to all this mineral healing, us rock and gem dealers should be the healthiest people on earth...
Her reply was "your chakras are all messed up because of the confusion of all those minerals"
Really? OK right....
I can get into certain things like how PURE (man made) crystal have certain properties like the quartz crystals we use as a computer time keeper or the synthetic ruby crystals we use to focus a LASER... but let's leave that for now.
It seems EVERY STONE, Gem or mineral now has amazing abilities to cure everything under the sun... yet no ONE shred of evidence to support this belief.
So when you run out of stone what do you do ? You INVENT a new name :P
Super Seven CrystalsQuoteHealing Properties of Super Seven
Super Seven, also known as Melody's Stone, is an amazing crystal that has seven different stones found together. It is a powerful healing stone.
Super Seven Crystals Consist of Amethyst, Clear Quartz. Smoky Quartz, Cacoxenite, Rutile, Geothite and Lepidocrocite (all 7 minerals are not always present). It is one of the few stones that retains all the energy and clarity of each mineral in it even if all mineral are not showing in each piece.
Now notice the part in RED The claim is that the healing properties are in that stone even if one of the minerals is not present.
The really sad thing is one of the bastions of truth in the mineral world, a no nonsense auction house, has posted this "Super Seven" stone specifically as a healing stone. These guys won't even take you if your an Ebay seller FFS... and yet they posted THIS (going to write them)
Gem Rock Auctions (https://www.gemrockauctions.com/learn/a-z-of-gemstones/super-seven-crystals)
Since I was 14 I studied geology, mineralogy and gem cutting. It saddens me that in today's world true collectors are far and few between while the New Age Mumbo Jumbo has take over. Search any mineral name, the healing stuff pops up on top. And these people will pay 10-20 times what a stone is worth because 'someone' told them it has these healing properties
Now I WILL grant that a stone could be used as a focus tool, similar to a candle or crystal ball... but the ridiculous list of powers granted a small piece of rock have gone beyond insanity
Lets take one example. I was searching online for a specific rock, to get a location that I had forgotten for my labeling... I found one picture of a sample typical from that area.
Blue Scapolite(https://www.healingwithcrystals.net.au/uploads/1/5/5/7/15572098/scapolite-blue_orig.jpg)
Now I am going to post that ENTIRE article... have a read what this Super Stone can do for you...
QuoteOVERVIEW
This stone used to be called Wernerite but has now been phased out of use and is now officially known as Scapolite. The stone was originally named in 1800 by José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva (1763-1838) for Abraham Gottlob Werner. Who was the professor of mining and mineralogy at the Freiberg Mining Academy. He was an influential teacher and his ideas shaped early geological thought, although they were largely abandoned by geologists in his lifetime.
Well first off Wernerite is a VARIETY of Scapolite of purple /blue color so that fact is false to begin with :P
QuoteScapolite is a complex mineral containing sodium, calcium, silicon, aluminium, oxygen, chlorine, carbon and sulphur. It can form in prismatic crystals as well as columnar and massive habits. The crystals are transparent to translucent with a vitreous lustre. Scapolite's range of colours include white, grey, light green, blue, yellow, pink, violet and reddish. It is common in regional metamorphic rocks. Scapolite has been mined in Sri Lanka and Myanmar. A significant quantity of cabochon grade Blue Scapolite has been found at Mont Saint-Hilaire, in Quebec, Canada.
This is a helpful stone for those of you who work at computers, constantly answer the phone or are desk bound as it absorbs and disperses electromagnetic emissions from electrical equipment.
SCAPOLITE AND THE CHAKRAS
Blue scapolite stimulates the throat and third eye chakras, allowing you to express your thoughts more coherently. It stimulates the psychic senses allowing you to strengthen your telekinetic and telepathic abilities.
Pink scapolite is a powerful heart chakra cleanser. Its energy is centred around empowering the heart on physical and energetic levels. When the heart chakra is opened it allows unconditional love, forgiveness and heartfelt compassion to enter.
White scapolite opens and clears the crown and stimulates the etheric chakras. It can bring you to higher levels of awareness. It is useful for astral or out of body experiences. The open chakra now allows the consciousness to move more freely into the spiritual realm.
Yellow scapolite assists you in opening the solar plexus chakra allowing you to prevent psychic attacks and power abuse.
SCAPOLITE AND PHYSICAL HEALTH
Scapolite assists post-operative recovery and stimulates cellular memory and calcium assimilation. It is said to unblock varicose veins, cataracts and glaucoma, assist with bone disorders and the shoulders, calm restless eyes and overcome incontinence.
Scapolite can be used to counter all manner of stress related illnesses and imbalances. It is especially useful for ulcers and digestive upsets caused by stress.
This stone is useful for stabilising your mental state and helping to regulate brain biochemistry.
Scapolite can be used to balance hyperactivity and inattentiveness. It stimulates digestion, assimilation and elimination. Scapolite is helpful for kidney or gallbladder disorders. It assists with arthritis and bone problems and may help relieve the effects of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Scapolite will assist with maintaining the health of the arteries and veins. Controls high blood pressure, blood circulation. It will assist in controlling the physical symptoms resulting from a nervous breakdown. Reduces the pain and inflammation from a stiff neck and shoulders. Enhances the healing of infection in the glands and glandular fever and mononucleosis. Assists in controlling Hodgkin's Lymphoma, headaches caused by tension tooth ache, gingivitis and persistent ear infections.
SCAPOLITE AND YOUR FEELINGS
Scapolite teaches you that emotional healing is not about revisiting past wounds. It is instead about releasing attachment to them as part of your identity.
This stone is a strict, yet powerful teacher of emotional power use. It will help you understand how you may be using your power to manipulate other peoples emotions or actions, so you can come to understand a more balanced use of your emotional energy. Scapolite can assist those with low self esteem to find aspects of self to value and develop.
Scapolite enables you to break self destructive patterns, it is a stone for post natal depression and PMS. Use this stone if you are a counsellor or a psychotherapist to maintain calm in the session and to assist in the therapy process.
This stone soothes the body in times of stress by releasing tension in the neck, shoulders and back. Scapolite is an extremely calming stone It will cut through confusion, distress, anger and fear by going deep within your emotional centre and find the source of the problems from this and past lives; to then cleanse the problems and restore you to emotional balance.
This stone prevents you sabotaging your own efforts to break free of bad habits and then blaming others or circumstances. It assists in you in taking responsibility for your life and actions. It brings a calm response to any challenge, removes irritability and encourages a balanced reaction to apparent injustices.
Scapolite removes self blame, it realigns the emotional blueprint, clearing the effects of old emotional trauma. Scapolite releases blocked energy from the body especially from the legs and veins.
Scapolite removes the emotional garbage that prevents you from moving forward. Opens emotional images and flashbacks for clearing and resolving; effects permanent release of old karmic patterns, it will end suffering at the source, but not always gently. It promotes change in every aspect of your life, promotes moving forward on your path and in your life once old issues are removed.
Scapolite is a stone of self-discipline stimulating independence and achievable goals based on objective mental planning rather than wish-fulfilment, scapolite overcomes inertia and self sabotage, induces transformation and provides the clarity to see what is needed.
SCAPOLITE AND THE MIND
This stone encourages people particularly children to persevere in learning new skills. Use this stone if you are building a business or experience. Wear this stone if you are applying for a leadership role.
Scapolite clears the trained understanding that you are at fault for everything, no matter how subtle by blocking out any outside influences that is sabotaging your life. It enables you to speak to your inner saboteur or scapegoat helping you understand that the role you have assumed is not necessary now that you are an adult and able to create your own values and guidelines. Scapolite then propels you out of spiritual inertia and into dynamic action.
Scapolite is useful for affecting conscious change. It frees up the left side of the brain, increasing your analytical ability. This is the perfect stone to carry if you have dyslexia.
Scapolite enhances your visionary abilities and communication skills. It can assist you in more effectively expressing your knowledge, insights and information
SCAPOLITE AND THE SPIRIT
Scapolite is a useful stone for conscious journeys through your dreams and the astral plane. It can assist you in connecting more easily with the sources of higher guidance, including angels, spirit guides and your own higher self consciousness.
Scapolite stimulates your will and your ability to take action in the world. It helps you to stop dreaming and start doing. It enhances your ability to find and assume your power and will also reveal how your beliefs and behaviours are preventing you from feeling empowered. Scapolite is a high vibration stone that takes you back to a state of oneness that wipes out soul memory of being alienated or sabotaged by clearing past life patterns and inner voices that may be sabotaging your life now. This powerful stone lifts your awareness out of the mire and assists evolution.
Scapolite teaches you that love overcomes all. It will open you to the experience of union with the Divine Heart and encourages you to move from the habit of the head consciousness to a heart centred consciousness.
Sigh.... I guess I will have to put all my years of knowledge in the closet and pick up a Gem Healer's Bible so I can actually sell my rocks
Sad day for TRUTH :'(
Sir Scamalot - or How you are being suckered at Ebay
I have dealt with gems and minerals since I was 14 and did my first gem show as helper in Bancroft Ontario... made 900.00 that show on just the rocks I had collected around the cottage and a few pieces of jewelry I had learned to make. At that time $900.00 was a LOT of money for a kid... so I was hooked. I mentored with the fellow, a stone cutter, who had that booth. He taught me gemology and gem stone cutting. I later took self study courses in geology and mineral identification. Never got official papers, but years of hands on in the field knowledge...
One of the things you learn in the gem business is what are called TRADE NAMES... For an example I will start with the main one that has long been accepted in the trade;
SMOKEY TOPAZ
This is a typical stone. They are darker or lighter but basically that shade of brown. Large stones are available from Brazil where they grow as giant crystals mined by sledge hammer.
(http://www.suratdiamond.com/Product_Images/109-89-ct-oval-loose-gemstones-lgs18-faceted-lemon--smokey-topaz-for-all.jpg)
What they are NOT... is Topaz. They are QUARTZ. Topaz comes brownish but not that color. "Smokey Topaz" has been the accepted trade name for Smokey Quartz for a very long time. Most reputable dealers will tell you this... but many won't, especially on Ebay
Ebay has thousands of sellers from China, Korea, India, Thailand etc that sell gemstones. Some are honest and use terms like treated, man made, synthetic, lab created. MANY are not like this one below. I will not use dealer names... any that I find I can simply report to Ebay to deal with. The purpose of this article is to educate the Ebay BUYER
Now we all know (or should :P ) that buyer beware is ALWAYS the number one rule, but sadly most people have no idea how to tell a real gem from a fake gem.
Then when they gave feed back you will see comments like;
"Perfect for necklace I am making"
"Beautiful gem for ring"
"Very good seller and very good item. Thank you very much."
Now the above comments were for a 'gemstone" purchase that had THIS title
4.60 CT MOZAMBIQUE RUBY 100% Natural GIE Certified FABULOUS Quality Gemstone
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/HngAAOSwr~lYqCsE/s-l500.jpg)
Okay For me one look at that stone... the little speckles (mica) in the stone, the cracks... I can tell this is died quartz NOT RUBY The visual difference between a ruby and died quartz is relatively easy for even a lay person to spot
There are negative reviews that say;
FAKE STONE, fake certificate, DO NOT BUY!!!
But if you look at any of these sellers for every negative comment there are a thousand that say "oh pretty stone, thank you"
Now I too buy stones on Ebay. These sellers have a trick to increase their feedback numbers. They sell stones for .99 cents with FREE SHIPPING...
I have also bought dyed quartz, man made stones and even obvious glass gems at that .99 cent price KNOWING what I am getting but I can resell them in a different venue A large glass gem can still fetch 5.00 to 10.00 for costume jewelry
But THIS particular ruby sold for 36.00 WOW Really? WHY?
Well auction frenzy is partially to blame. Humans tend to get caught up in that "It's MINE gotta have it! craze and will bid high... even though if they looked on the seller's page there are 20 more of them each day starting at .99 cents
Also some sellers will hire people to bid the stones higher. If Ebay catches them they lose there account but they already have several others. Ebay cannot keep up with it
Here is another stone
6.12 CT Colombian Emerald Natural GIE Certified Best Quality Awesome Gemstone
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Yt8AAOSw3NlZqOyB/s-l500.jpg)
Again this has the spangles typical of that kind of massive quartz As a green version, that would be know as Adventurine. Now Adventurine I can use... as it is a real stone (even if enhanced by green dye) Dying Quartz and Agates goes back to the Egyptians. But selling it as an EMERALD well that is fraud pure and simple
This particular seller uses this line in the description:
"This is a Natural Emerald for astrological purpose, as we are astrological organization so all the listed gemstones are energized by our Panditas for best astrological effects."
So what does that tell us? This seller is targeting the New Age crowd, who tend to buy stones without really knowing (or caring) what they really are or if they are real or fake.
Now while I won't get into the healing properties of stones in this article... I will say that FAKE STONES will not do the job
::)
Here is one dealer from India that labels the stone correctly
MICA GREEN AVENTURINE QUARTZ ROSE CUT BRIOLETTE OVAL (DARK) 19X15MM 9.55 Cts.
(https://www.jaipurgem.com/en/mica-green-aventurine-quartz-rose-cut-briolette-oval-dark-19x15mm-955-cts)
(https://www.jaipurgem.com/content/images/thumbs/0037394_mica-green-aventurine-quartz-rose-cut-briolette-oval-dark-19x15mm-955-cts_300.jpeg)
SOURCE (https://www.jaipurgem.com/en/mica-green-aventurine-quartz-rose-cut-briolette-oval-dark-19x15mm-955-cts)
The really sad thing is that with every one of these sellers you will see litterally THOUSANDS of reviews that say "pretty stone, thanks so much" while maybe only a handful of negative comment that are from people who KNOW what they got was fake...
The Ebay system works on feedback percentage so if you have a few thousand of those "happies" and only a few "truth speakers" the percentage gives the seller a 98% or so rate and they become a top seller :P
Also the Chinese government with the help of the US Post offices supplements the free shipping from Chine. Many items I received has a USPS label "China Office" on them
Bottom line is that a very high percentage of gems on Ebay are fakes (glass and even plastic), synthetics (if your lucky), or downright intentionally mislabeled.
A trained eye can spot them easily to be sure... but common sense helps too Your not going to get a large clear emerald for 99 cents LOL
When buying at Ebay NUMBER ONE RULE Check the negative feedback
You DO have to filter out the crap feedback from people who are just lying to get a refund from the REAL Feedback
So in the case of gems when you see someone that says "I am a gemologist these stones are fake/glass. synthetic" etc PAY ATTENTION to that. Most troll negatives are easy to spot. Spelling is off, all capitals, etc. The same as forum trolls. Look for the real comments.
Then decide are you okay buying it KNOWING it is likely glass other other material
As I said I do that a lot because I KNOW what I am looking at so I can buy knowing what I will get
One stone that is used a lot is CUBIC ZIRCONIA Now Cubic is a diamond substitute and until recently when the Russians learned how to produce it cheaply in large quantities it was expensive
But even today a good cubic zirconia has some value. But the sellers trying to boost Ebay feedback rating (this is THE most important issue on Ebay as it sets your seller status and is percentage based) will sell cubics for 99 cents. Many will call them something else using real gem names. Some are selling glass
THIS is labeled as AQUAMARINE It is large and only .99 cents free shipping
Do you REALLY believe you would get a genuine stone that large for that little? (Call me if you do :P I have some GREAT deals JUST for you :P )
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/3EQAAOSwlila5vQI/s-l1600.jpg)
Look at the image. Glass will do one thing... it will refract light with a low quality prismatic rainbow effect (I will try to find a better image that shows this more) Also any good cut genuine stone will not have a "window". The whole purpose of cutting gems is to maximize the light reflection. All glass stones have a window (so do poorly cut real stones) That means you can see through the stone from the top
Now THIS ONE is listed as;
Unheated 6*6MM Fat triangle NATURE aquamarine vvs EXCELLENT CUT
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/0ysAAOSwdPpbA-2b/s-l1600.jpg)
No this is not a "Nature" Aquamarine. I suppose technically he isn't saying it is a "Natural" stone :P
THIS however is not glass... it shows the typical reflection of CUBIC ZIRCONIA and as you can see it has NO "window". (seeing through the stone) So I know this is a real Cubic Zirconia stone
So this stone, considering the size, the color and the cut I would go up to about $4.00 on it but no higher if I wish to resell it
Now the next one;
NATURAL MYSTIC PINK TOPAZ - PRINCESS - BRAZIL - TOP GRADE
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/k9QAAOSwD31awZn1/s-l500.jpg)
Again THIS is a CUBIC ZIRCONIA... The term "MYSTIC TOPAZ" is again used inappropriately
MYSTIC TOPAZ
Mystic Topaz is another one of those trade names that has been accepted by the gem trade recently. It actually IS topaz...
Mystic Topaz is plain clear topaz, which is used in a lot of jewelry as a diamond substitute and is available in huge quantities as clear topaz crystals of gigantic size are found in Brazil. Some of it is heat treated and irradiated to see if there is any color change. This is another valid process in the gem trade and does produce nice stones, though they are a little less in value than natural stones.
But since the colors in nature are created by heating and irridation in the earth, what really is the difference?
Mystic Topaz is then clear boring topaz that has a layer of TITANIUM infused or anodized onto the surface and you get THIS:
(http://content.propertyroom.com/listings/sellers/seller888888903/images/homeimgs/888888903_16112017143912597.jpg)
(http://%5Bsize=10pt%5D%5Bb%5DSOURCE:%5B/b%5D%5B/size%5D) (https://www.propertyroom.com/l/780-ct-vvs-natural-rainbow-mystic-topaz-octagon-cut-loose-gemstone/12021539?source=SIMILAR)
CUBIC ZIRCONIAIt was develpoed as a diamond substitute. When cut in the diamond traditional 'Brilliant' cut the rainbow prismatic refraction is awesome and some even better than a diamond.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bd/CZ_brilliant.jpg)
QuoteCubic zirconia (CZ) is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2). The synthesized material is hard, optically flawless and usually colorless, but may be made in a variety of different colors. It should not be confused with zircon, which is a zirconium silicate (ZrSiO4). It is sometimes erroneously called "cubic zirconium".
Because of its low cost, durability, and close visual likeness to diamond, synthetic cubic zirconia has remained the most gemologically and economically important competitor for diamonds since commercial production began in 1976. Its main competitor as a synthetic gemstone is a more recently cultivated material, synthetic moissanite.
Good Basic History on it here for those interested
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubic_zirconia
Here is a great picture of the colors You can see the typical Cubic Zirconia 'look' to the pattern. This picture is from a whole sale dealer in India that sells them as Cubics :P This was actually cool as I now have a new wholesaler source :D
(https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/multi-coloured-cubic-zirconia-gemstone-14034809155.html)
SOURCE: https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/multi-coloured-cubic-zirconia-gemstone-14034809155.html
Howlite
Howlite, a calcium borosilicate hydroxide (Ca2B5SiO9(OH)5), is a borate mineral found in evaporite deposits. Howlite was discovered near Windsor, Nova Scotia in 1868 by Henry How (1828–1879), a Canadian chemist, geologist, and mineralogist. How was alerted to the unknown mineral by miners in a gypsum quarry, who found it to be a nuisance. He called the new mineral silico-boro-calcite; it was given the name howlite by James Dwight Dana shortly thereafter.
Again, because of the sheer number of New Agers out there the "Healing properties" com up even above Wikipedia :P
Well HOWLITE is white with black spidery lines and is not that spectacular
(https://www.sacredsource.com.au/blog/wp-content/gallery/howlite/howlite-crystal.jpg)
Now wouldn't it look a whole lot BETTER if it was died BLUE?
(http://www.holisticproductsireland.com/image/cache/data/Crystals/tumble%20stones/Blue%20Raw%20Howlight-700x700.jpg)
Oh wait! That almost looks like ..... TURQUOISE !!!! :o ::)
Well about 90% of Turquoise sold on Ebay is in fact Died Howlite or another similar material found a lot in China. Now China DOES have real Turquoise and it is easy to tell. Below is a gret link all about the various Turquoises
If you take a bit of time to study what real Turuoise looks like (and it can be very specifi for each mine) it won't take long to be an expert. Howlite ALWAYS looks clean even blue with black lines while the Chinese 'fake' Turwoise is usually died Magnestite, which looks like Howlite buyt with brown lines
(http://static.artfire.com/uploads/new_blog/posts/09_2013/818741378313049_blog_thumb_large_2266.jpg)
(https://www.mindat.org/forum.php?file,55,file=22294,filename=turquoise1.jpg)
A Discussion about Chinese Turquoise (https://forum.turquoisepeople.com/t/a-discussion-about-chinese-turquoise/1903)
Now then lets talk about JADEThis stone (rather several stones) has long being mis identified not only on Ebay but by Americans in General...
First of all we need to be clear on what the word "Jade" actually means... this is a very important distinction and explains a lot of confusion on Ebay sales when you see a carving that is labeled JADE and its not green...
QuoteThe Chinese word "yu which we translate as "jade" actually refers to any rock that is carved. Some 30 or 40 different kinds of mineral in China are called yu. Nephrite is known as "lao-yu" ("old jade") or "bai-you" ("white jade") and jadeite is known as "fei-cui-yu" ("kingfisher jade). John Ng, a jade specialist and author of Jade and You, told Smithsonian magazine, " The Chinese or Japanese have no hesitation in buying good pieces to give their families or friends for good luck. To the Asian, giving jade conveys a special feeling."
So that is the first consideration. By that standard any stone carving from China is technically 'jade'
But what we consider "Jade" today is actually two distinct gemstones...
The first, properly called "BC Jade" is actually
Green Nephrite, also called Canadian Jade because it was found in British Columbia and northern Canada
QuoteNephrite is a variety of the calcium, magnesium, and iron-rich amphibole minerals tremolite or actinolite (aggregates of which also make up one form of asbestos). The chemical formula for nephrite is Ca2(Mg, Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2. It is one of two different mineral species called jade. The other mineral species known as jade is jadeite, which is a variety of pyroxene. While nephrite jade possesses mainly grays and greens (and occasionally yellows, browns or whites), jadeite jade, which is rarer, can also contain blacks, reds, pinks and violets. Nephrite jade is an ornamental stone used in carvings, beads, or cabochon cut gemstones.
Nephrite can be found in a translucent white to very light yellow form which is known in China as mutton fat jade, in an opaque white to very light brown or gray which is known as chicken bone jade, as well as in a variety of green colors. Western Canada is the principal source of modern lapidary nephrite. Nephrite jade was used mostly in pre-1800 China as well as in New Zealand, the Pacific Coast and Atlantic Coasts of North America, Neolithic Europe, and southeast Asia.
Being a form of Actinolite/Tremolite Nephrite eventually weathers to Asbestos
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/8wMAAOSwKfVXFESU/s-l300.jpg)
This is a typical gem cut from Nephrite. It is relatively cheap as it is found in huge boulders. I posted one such recent find on here somewhere a while back.
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ6XefK4ADGzXMt-jdW_vpYEzyvCaneBfVCqfhqH6Uj1AgXJ535sw)
The expensive stuff is know as
Burmese JadeiteThe Chinese are expert carvers of stone and very good at making the various colors of Burmese Jadeite come out in detail
(https://www.gemsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Jadeite-Carving-Myanmar.png)
(http://factsanddetails.com/media/2/20120531-Jade_cabbage_closeup.jpg)
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1079/2686/products/vs970bbb_large.jpg)
(https://www.trocadero.com/stores/harubang/items/1023348/catphoto.jpg)
Some key points:
1) Jade comes in two forms: nephrite and jadeite, both of which are prized for their hardness, firmness and ability to be carved and the luster they generate that creates an appearance of transparency. Nephrite and jadeite are two chemically different and distinct materials. Both are technically rocks not gems, since they are mineral aggregates rather than crystals.
Natural stones passed off as jade include chrysoprase, jasper, serpentine and soapstone.2) Nephrite comes in a variety of colors, including its
most prized color yellowish-white "mutton fat," long cherished by Chinese carvers and collectors. Without impurities nephrite is snowy white. The presence of magnesium and iron produce a bluish white color. Yellow is produced by ferric ion, brown by hematite and grey and black by graphite.
3) Nephrite is more abundant than jadeite and is found mostly in dolomitic marbles and serpentised ulramfics. It was first discovered by Chinese, who regarded it as very rare material and went through great trouble to obtain it. Today, it is found in many places, including China, Siberia, Taiwan, New Zealand, Alaska, California and Wyoming. Boulder-size deposits exist in British Columbia and Australia. The only expense is transported them. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the largest piece of jade is a piece of nephrite found in the Yukon Territory of Canada that weighed 636 tons
4)
The ancient Chinese did not make a fine distinction between true jade and jade simulates. Common jade simulates fall into four classes: 1) serpentine 2) feldspar, 3) carbonate and 4) quartz groups. Quartz group specimens, such as the transparent colorless rock crystal known to the ancient Chinese as "aquajade," are the most observed form of jade stimulant. Carnelian, known as "red jade" in antiquity, is ideal for carving
JADE (http://factsanddetails.com/china/cat7/sub40/item259.html)
The History of Jade: The Emperor's Stone (https://www.visualcapitalist.com/the-history-of-jade-the-emperors-stone/)
Edit to add:
here is that big Nephrite found in Canada
(http://www.geologypage.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/What-is-Nephrite-Jade-And-Where-are-their-sources-GeologyPage.jpg)
http://www.geologypage.com/2017/09/nephrite-jade-sources.html
Chrysoprase (Australian Jade)
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1055/2222/products/222-823-363.JPG)
Good clean Chrysoprase can be as expensive as Nephrite and Jadeite
Chrysoprase, chrysophrase or chrysoprasus is a gemstone variety of chalcedony (a cryptocrystalline form of silica) that contains small quantities of nickel. Its color is normally apple-green, but varies to deep green. The darker varieties of chrysoprase are also referred to as prase. (However, the term prase is also used to describe chlorite-included quartz, and to a certain extent is a color-descriptor, rather than a rigorously defined mineral variety.)
Unlike emerald which owes its green color to the presence of chromium, the color of chrysoprase is due to trace amounts of nickel compounds in the form of very small inclusions. The nickel reportedly occurs as different silicates, like kerolite or pimelite (not NiO mineral, bunsenite, as was reported before). Chrysoprase results from the deep weathering or lateritization of nickeliferous serpentinites or other ultramafic ophiolite rocks. In the Australian deposits, chrysoprase occurs as veins and nodules with brown goethite and other iron oxides in the magnesite-rich saprolite below an iron and silica cap.
As with all forms of chalcedony, chrysoprase has a hardness of 6–7 on the Mohs hardness scale and a conchoidal fracture like flint.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d0/Chryzopras_Polsko.jpg)
I would love to buy THIS lot 500 grams was 500.00 now on sale for 195.00 :D
(https://neweragems.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/100-Chrysoprase-.jpg)