There are two types of a stone which are commonly called jade, these are nephrite and jadeite. The two differ slightly in mineral composition and hardness. Jadeite is the harder of the two, measuring a 6.5 to a 7 on the mohs scale of hardness. Nephrite, though softer and measuring a 6 to a 6.5 on the mohs scale, is actually a tougher stone because of its interlocking crystalline structure.
Why Nephrite?
Nephrite is the stone which the Chinese have called the stone of heaven for thousands of years. Many myths and legends surround this amazing stone. It has a depth, where you can see into the stone and get lost in it. It has translucency where the sun can shine straight through it. It has many different colors, some so vivid you have to wonder if the stone really has a life of its own.
Neprhite Jade of Big Sur CA.
Some of the best quality nephrite jade comes out of Big Sur, California. One of the unique things about finding Big Sur jade in this area is that it appears on the beaches and in the coves of the surrounding areas. This area of the coast in California is known as where the mountains meet the sea, where peaks over 5000 feet overlook the coves.
The actual areas where this jade is located are in coves with over 200 foot bluffs behind them. These bluffs contain an ancient seabed almost exactly 200 feet above sea level. When erosion occurs, which happens from the constant weathering of the ocean and its waves, jade actually falls out of the cliffs and lands on the beach.
The beaches collect this jade, which is commonly pulled out into the ocean where it becomes sea polished. Certain coves tend to polish jade to different degrees and it is possible to find the coveted “sea polished gemstone”. These stones come out of the coves perfectly polished where no sanding or other polishing is required. These are commonly the most valuable of all the jade from this area. Big Sur jade is often seen worn by people in this area as a casual pendant or as necklaces, among other jade jewelry.
