The name jade is applied to two unrelated minerals—_nephrite_ and
_jadeite_—that have somewhat similar characteristics.
Jadeite, the rarer of the two, is a sodium aluminum silicate that
belongs to a group of rock-forming minerals known as pyroxenes. Its
color varies from white to emerald green and many other colors. Jadeite
is highly prized, and when it occurs as emerald green it is considered
one of the most valuable gemstones. This kind of jade is found in many
places, but the most important occurrence is in Upper Burma. Nephrite, a
more common species, is a calcium magnesium iron silicate belonging to a
group of rock-forming minerals known as amphiboles. The color varies
from white to a dark spinach green and black. Among the places where
nephrite occurs are New Zealand, Turkestan, Siberia, Alaska, China,
Silesia, and certain parts of the western United States, notably in
Wyoming and California.
[Illustration: This emerald green jadeite carving, dating from the
Ch’ien-lung period (1736-1795), stands 6½ inches without the base.
It was given to the Smithsonian as part of the Maude Monell Vetlesen
collection.]
Jade is not particularly hard (6½), but it is very tough, and this
characteristic makes it an excellent material for carving. Even when
subjected to punishing usage, jade resists chipping and wear. It was
used for making tools and weapons by primitive peoples who lived in what
is now Mexico, Switzerland, France, Greece, Egypt, Asia Minor, and in
other places. The jade implements fashioned by these peoples have
survived well the ravages of time.
The Chinese and Japanese prize jade highly. In their countries,
tradition has assigned to jade medicinal and spiritual values, and has
associated with it the cardinal virtues of charity, modesty, courage,
justice, and wisdom. As a consequence, these peoples long ago developed
the carving of jade as a high art. Among the magnificent Chinese jade
carvings in the National Gem Collection are 130 pieces produced mostly
during the Ching Dynasty (1644-1912), when the art of jade carving was
at its peak. Many of these jades were carved in imitation of the revered
bronze ceremonial vessels of ancient times. This collection was
presented to the Smithsonian Institution in 1959 by Mr. Edmund C. Monell
in behalf of the estate of his mother, Mrs. Maude Monell Vetlesen of New
York.
[Illustration: This pale green jade vase of the Ch’ien-lung period
is 14½ inches high without the base. It is one of a matched pair
presented as part of the Maude Monell Vetlesen collection of carved
jade.]