NEPHRITE JADES

Jade carving which began some 8500 years ago is a culture into itself for the Chinese civilization. While its mystic and regal reverence may have diminished, the popularity and importance with which it is still held in high esteem, have not.
While there were a few other ancient civilizations which once regarded jade above all other materials, this tradition still lives on only with present day Chinese.
In ancient China, only the nobilities were permitted to wear jade, also known as “Stone of the Heaven”. It had been used as a symbol of power and authority, medicine and in religious and sacrificial ceremonies. It was said that in ancient China many wars were fought in order to posses certain jade artefacts.
Jade is actually two stones and classified as nephrite and jadeite and can not be scratched by the hardest steel. There for it is not carved but worked by abrasion. Until the advent of power-driven tools in the 19th century, it used to take months, sometimes years, to complete an item.
This is our collection of Nephrite Jades which may be the largest in Canada. Owing to the challenges of photographing this material, colour variation may occur. The pieces are arranged chronologically for your convenience.


Please click on the image for more photos. Then click again(2x) for enlargement(max.).