Only the minerals JADEIT, NEPHRIT and MAW SIT SIT (a JADEIT variety from Burma) count as genuine JADE.
Unfortunately, many minerals and imitations are sold today as "real" JADE. Especially green SERPENTINE, green, rough GROSSULAR garnet, green GRANITE etc. in the jewelry sector even synthetic stones ... Unfortunately!
The most expensive JADE is an emerald green, translucent JADEITE from northern BURMA. This so-called Emperor or Imperial JADE is one of the most expensive stones in the world. A necklace with these stones, round-cut, was auctioned for more than 5 million dollars. We have seen 1 kg of Imperial JADE rough stones sold for 2.5 million dollars. Truly "imperial"!
By the way, the word JADE used to be unknown in China, where these stones were simply called "Yü".
The so-called "China JADE" or "New Jade" offered today is usually SERPENTINE.
This piece is REAL JADE of the NEPHRIT variety. The black spots are typical. Very HARD and densely felted, NEPHRITE is also known as "axe stone" because the razor-sharp fracture edges were used to make weapons, axes and arrow seats in the Stone Age.
NEPHRITE is found in New Zealand and is then called "New Zealand JADE" at URAL and then the "Russian JADE" and a significant deposit is in CANADA and that is where this piece comes from.
One piece, cut as a slab, NOT polished, edges translucent.
CASSIER Mine - British Columbia
CANADA
Weight: 280 g Dimensions: 12 x 7 cm