What is Jade anyway? Jade History 101.

Jade has a history in China of at least four thousands years. Unknown to some, jade is found contained within the development of religion and civilization, having moved from the use of decoration on to the others such as the rites of worship and burial. Although other materials like gold, silver and bronze were also used, none of these have ever exceeded the spiritual position that jade has acquired in peoples' minds - it is associated with merit, morality, grace and dignity. In the funeral objects of the people of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - 24 AD), for example, we can see only high officials were buried with jade articles.

Jade has influenced all walks of life. In ancient times, people expressed abstract notions with concrete patterns of Chinese character, which were influenced by Taoism and Buddhism. Jade craftworks were among the most precious and luxurious ones; people wore and decorated rooms to indicate loyalty, elegance, beauty, and eternity. The most popular patterns were: peach (longevity), mandarin duck (love), deer (high official ranks), bat (blessing), fish (affluence), double phoenixes (thriving), bottle (safety), lotus (holiness), bamboo (lofty conduct), and fan (benevolence), etc.

In Chinese, jade is pronounced as 'Yu', and most words related to moral include this word such as 'Unpolished jade never shines,' indicating that one cannot be a useful person if he is not educated. Jade also implied honor and conviction. Many girls in ancient times were also named with jade to reflect the love of their parents. One of the Four Beauties in Chinese history, Yang Yuhuan, the beloved concubine of Emperor Xuanzong in the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), was their representative. Yang is her surname and her given name Yuhuan means simply 'jade ring'. To find out more interesting facts about Jade, try the link below.

What did Confucius say about Jade?

In the Chinese Empire jade was considered the most noble of all gems; to the extent that it was simply designated under the name yü, "precious stone". Yü means "treasure" in Chinese the way "gold" means "wealth" in English. According to myth, the stone was born during a storm, and for this reason every home had jade in its foundations to keep lightning at bay.

According to another myth, the stone was crystallized moonlight that came from the holy mountains. It was naturally the royal stone, and believed to be the incarnation of the cosmic principle. As such, it was said to possess the five essential virtues of Chinese philosophy: compassion, modesty, courage, justice and wisdom - but it was also credited with benevolence, knowledge, righteousness, virtuousness, purity, endurance, ingenuousness, morality and music.

Jade Symbolism: What do the carvings mean?

For Chinese people around the world, Jade has a special meaning as part of good luck pieces of astounding variety. These take the form of baubles, amulets, statues, jewelry, and more. Necklaces with carved jade figures or ideograms are very commonly worn. Statues of dragons, fish, figures, temples, and other scenic items are common in businesses and residences.

The Chinese has used jade for over 4,000 years and it represents nobility, perfection, constancy, and immortality. Because it was found on mountains and riverbeds it first represented heaven and Earth. By 2000 B.C., Chinese were using a circular jade disk with a hole cut out in the center called a Pi to symbolize the gods of the heavens and a tube with rectangular sides called a ts'ung to symbolize the spirits of the Earth.

 From these beliefs in the sacred power of jade objects, additional items of jade became common, including jade blades, tablets, and other ritual pieces. Jade cicada - representing rebirth from the soil - and jade pigs - representing wealth - were often buried with deceased people. Jade became a symbol for the nobility. Over time, more common jade objects took on the power to protect from the devil, guard against evil spirits, and cleanse people's souls.

Some believe today that jade that is worn will darken over time as it absorbs good energy from the wearer. In times of need, it will break or lighten to release this energy to protect the wearer. There are several materials generally referred to as "jade." These include nephrite, the rarest and most expensive, jadeite, typically from Burma, shou chow jade, often from China, and various forms of other treated and dyed stones and plastics.

In the Chinese Empire jade was considered the most noble of all gems; to the extent that it was simply designated under the name yü, "precious stone". Yü means "treasure" in Chinese the way "gold" means "wealth" in English. According to myth, the stone was born during a storm, and for this reason every home had jade in its foundations to keep lightning at bay.

What are the different grades of Jade?

"A" quality jade indicates the natural jadeite without undergoing any artificial treatment, alteration or enhancement. Such kind of natural jadeite does not change with the passage of time. It can be preserved forever and wears well.

"B" quality jade is defined as the natural jadeite having undergone a process of acid treatment, removed the impurities, and impregnated with colloidal silica or resin. Normally, this kind of jadeite will turn yellow gradually in 5-10 years and slowly the surface color will come off due to the aging of resin or colloid. Meanwhile, the composition of inherent texture of jadeite has been destroyed during the acid treatment which affects immediately its durability.

"C" quality jade is specified as the natural jadeite having undergone artificial treatment, colloid impregnation plus adding the new pigment substance. (Dyed color). We may also say that not only its internal texture has been undermined but also its internal color was artificially added in.

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What happened to the jade culture that formed the foundation of the Middle Kingdom?

After the Han Dynasty, the quality of jade carving improved greatly. The general trend was that more and more carvings were produced for prized personal possessions and decorative items. The use of jade in ritual and funerary rites faded, although the ritual use of jade in the Imperial Court of China continued up until the end of the last dynasty in 1911.

The first jadeite from Myanmar appeared in the Han Dynasty, but it did not become commonly used in carvings until the late 18th century. Jadeite never was considered the "Stone of Heaven," in part because it failed one of the tests of true jade, the test of fire. When burned, nephrite jade takes on an aged appearance, while jadeite turns into a glassy slag. Rarely carved into ceremonial tools, jadeite was almost exclusively used for jewelry and decorative items.

The fall of the Qing Dynasty after the beginning of the 20th century ended the traditional role of jade in the Middle Kingdom. Humiliating defeats and the manipulation of China by foreign powers in the 19th and 20th centuries were blamed on the failure to modernize. That led to the destruction and desecration of a great deal of China's cultural heritage between 1949 and 1976.

As China opened up after 1976, the restoration of the cultural heritage of the Middle Kingdom began. But a strong profit motive entered the equation, as historical items became a commodity to be bought and sold.

Jade was no exception. The trend was to use the ancient definition of jade to justify a broad commercial definition of jade that included other stones. The narrower traditional and Western definitions of jade may be acknowledged in Chinese texts. But when referring to jade in the marketplace, quotations from ancient texts are often misused to represent common jade-like stones as jade.

As a result there is considerable confusion as to what may be called yu (jade) in China today. The word yu may be used to refer to four to six other, similar minerals and stones suitable for carving and be given to hundreds of different items in the marketplace. Historically, different regions did define their local stones as types of jade using the word yu, but by the Qin Dynasty, and possibly earlier, the distinction between nephrite jade and all other stones was well established. The art of distinguishing nephrite jade from other less desirable stones has been a distinct part of Chinese culture since before Confucius gathered the documents from around China to define jade.

Much of what has happened since the fall of the last emperor is related to the evolution of jade culture, the practices and lore that grew up around the Stone of Heaven. The understanding of jade offers hope for the healing of the separation between China's past, present, and future, and its relationship with the rest of the world. The Chinese saying "Turn weapons into peace with gifts of jade-silk [yubo]" - referring to the importance of jade gifts wrapped in silk as a part of ceremonial meetings of peace and friendship - is the same enduring message for the hope and promise for peace as that found in Isaiah 2:4 of the Bible: ". . . they shall beat their swords into plowshares into pruninghooks: Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

Jade...both beautiful and tough.

Most Stone Age cultures all over the world that had access to jade used it to some extent in making weapons, tools, ceremonial icons, or ornamental items. The relative scarcity of jade and the difficulty in working the material prevented it from being the dominant tool and weapon-making material. But that same rarity - combined with its beauty and toughness - made it ideal for ceremonial and funerary ritual practices and prized personal possessions.

The desire for jade spread beyond the areas where it was mined, inspiring trade over long distances and the development of specialized industries to carve the stone. These developments are key hallmarks in the beginning of civilization in China.

Many sources trace the evolution of civilization through the development of writing. But while the first known writing in China dates to approximately 2800 B.C., jade culture - the technology, social structures, and trade that support the jade industry - was established around 5000 B.C. The silk industry, also associated with the development of Chinese civilization, emerged at about the same time in Hubei Province, just north of the Yellow River. In China, then, writing followed the development of a sophisticated culture, not the other way around.

History of Jade carvings and meanings.

Chinese began to know and use jade in the early Neolithic Age according to archeologists and archeological findings. Many jade wares dating back to 4,000 to 6,000 years ago have been excavated in different places. It was not only used for decorative purpose but also others. Until the Shang and Zhou dynasties, jade wares had been developed into tools, weapons, daily utensils, accessories and ritual utensils. As commodity exchange boomed, jade was bestowed with currency function. For thousands of years till now, jade was and is a symbol of love and virtue as well as a status symbol.

In the Zhou dynasty, jade use was first regulated in Zhouli (Rites of the Zhou), which was the constitution of the Zhou dynasty concerning with politics, economy, military, diplomacy and law. With other two classics named Yili (Rites) and Liji (Book of Rites) later, it strictly stipulated national rites and etiquettes and directing philosophy. Only in Zhouli, Rites of the Zhou, there were dozens of articles concerning with jade use and function under different occasions such as politics, sacrifice, alliance, and military activities, etc.

According to the three classics, special ministry should be set up to manage jade use. It was stipulated that six jade ritual items should be made to offer sacrifice to heaven, the earth, the east, the south, the west and the north. There were also strict regulations on six jade tablets used by emperors, dukes, marquises, earls, viscounts and barons respectively. Jade ware can be divided into following categories - ritual utensil, funeral utensil, accessory, currency, weapon, diplomatic gift, musical instrument and food according to the functions listed in the three classics. Simple carving, careful handling and not mixing private and public ritual vessel were basic rules to follow in jade use.

Ancient Chinese believed jade the essence of Heaven and the Earth, so they carved jade into birds and beasts and worshiped as totems. Then witchcraft soon applied jade as percussion instrument since it sounded pleasing to the ear and traveled far. After people knew musical scales, jade became musical instrument. The ancients seemingly tended to associate jade with heroes who made great contributions, for Emperor Yan, God of Farming and Emperor Huang who united China first.

Jade was also the symbol of power. In the ancient time, only aristocrats could own jade wares. The imperial seal of the Qin dynasty, the first feudal society in China, was made of jade. The seal was later hunt by seigneurs to prove they were the real Heavenly Sons.
Furthermore, more noble attributes were given to jade, making it a standard of morality. Confucius even concluded jade had 11 virtues, namely benevolence, fidelity, polite etiquette, wisdom and sincerity, etc. Hence, it was not only a decoration but also a symbol of ethics and norms. People then threw themselves into the vogue to ware jade accessories. It was said that a gentleman would never leave his jade ornaments.

Jade was believed capable of standing for Heaven, the Earth, the east, the west, the south and the north and emperors. It can be messenger between Heaven and mankind. In the ancient times, Yu, Chinese character meaning jade, was the same with Wang (king). The three horizontal strokes stringed by a central vertical stroke represent Heaven, the Earth and mankind respectively. Hence yu, is always used in Chinese to call something precious and jade had always been treasured in China as the royal gemstone.

Chinese people believed jade had supernatural power. Using jade wares and jade ornaments could resist invasion of evil influence and avoid evil apparitions and secure safety and auspiciousness.
Sounding strange, some people believed, however, that jade was edible and could keep one physically immortal. Most of them are Taoists.

These precious stones played significant role in the development and spread of religions in China. Since belief the ancients bestowed with jade is coincident with religion in many aspects, jade serves religion. In the Buddhism, the PureLand is composed of gold, silver, agate, coral, amber and gray jade. Thus Chinese Buddhism emphasizes collecting and using various precious stones. In FamenTemple in Shaanxi province, near Xi'an, among the four Buddhist Relics discovered, one was placed in tailor made jade coffin. The Buddhas and Buddhism musical instruments in the PotalaPalace and Ta'er Lamasery are mostly decorated with lazuli, turquoise, agate, gray jade and white jade. Until the Tang dynasty, Buddhism reached its peak, and jade carvings concerning with Buddhism, such as Amitabha, Kwan-yin, prayer beads, avalanched as amulets to protect people from disease and evil and agents to carry their emotion, expectation and belief to Buddha. Alike, in Taoism, jade has such functions too.

How is Jade is processed from raw stones?  

Jadeite is rarer than nephrite and is therefore regarded as more precious. Nephrite deposits have been found in China, New Zealand, Russia, Guatemala and the Swiss Alps. Dark green jade, so-called Canada jade, is also found in Western Canada. Jadeite is found in China, Russia and Guatemala, but the best stones come from Burma, now known as Myanmar. There, at the annual 'Gems, Jade and Pearls Emporium', blocks of jade in all sizes are auctioned. When purchasing the raw materials, the dealers need to be fairly lucky, since the nodules, blocks and fragments are sold either whole or after having been cut into slices, and there is only a very small window, the result of some initial grinding. So the buyer cannot see exactly what is hidden on the inside: valuable green jade, or an almost worthless, speckled or streaky material. It is not until the cutting process begins that the real quality is revealed.

In the jade-cutting centres of Canton, Beijing and Hong Kong, the raw material is processed with carborundum and diamond powder. Since jade is, as a rule, not transparent, but has a fine lustre, the cabochon is the form best suited to it. Thin slivers, which can be worn as pendants, and jade bracelets are popular too. Round, cylindrical and flat shapes can be combined to make attractive necklaces. Traditionally, jade is processed into slender figures, filigree images or thin-walled vessels. This is sometimes erroneously referred to as jade carving. Unwanted material is in fact removed during the cutting process, and the stone is subsequently polished. Here once again we see the subtle difference between nephrite and jadeite: whilst polished nephrite has a surface with a resinous lustre, the glassy lustre of jadeite after polishing seems to shine almost like that of a mirror.

A? B? or C Jade?

Since the beginning of 1980's, the demand for jade has increased in mainland China, Taiwan and South Korea.  People desire high quality jades, but there are fewer and fewer naturally produced jades (Type A jade).  The price of Type A jades become higher and higher.  To meet the need of the customers, the jade manufacturer try their best to use chemical bleach to remove impurities from the lower end jades.  This treatment damages the structure integrity of the jade.  This kind of jade are also called Type B jades.  The classification of Type A, Type B, Type C jade is an international classification and is used by the jade industry.

Type A jade, natural, untreated jade, only undergoes a traditional process, including plum juice washing and polishing with beewax.  These procedures are internationally recognized as standard practice and are not defined as "artificial treatments".   It is not disguised with any dirt picking, high temperature or high-pressure treatments.  The color is natural, so they are called "true color".

Type B jade, bleached, polymer impregnated jade.  To distinguish Type B jade, you need to know the structure of jade as well as the principle and procedure of the processing of Type B jade.  We know that the chemical composition of jade is NaAlSi2O6, which is composite with columnar crystals and the interlocking structure made it to be a very tough mineral stone.  Because of oxygenation and hydrolysis, oxides such as iron, manganese and calcium are adhered on the surface and even immerge into the interspaces between crystal, which turn the color of the jade into orange, brown, black, or grew.  These impurities influence the transparency, as well as the color of the jade.  The purpose of using powerful acid such as sulfuric acid and chemical on the jade is to remove these impurities, improve the transparency and to make the green color of jade uninfluenced by the varied colors (caused by the chrome and iron ion), which make it more delicate and charming (the green color is the original color of the jade which cannot be removed and affected by powerful acid).  Sometimes the acid is heated to increase its strength.  After the jade has been chemically bleached to remove impurities, it will then impregnated with polymer to enhance translucency.  Polymer is injected into the jade with the use of a centrifuge.  At this stage the jade is covered with hard and clear plastic like coating.

The quality of this kind of jade is not natural, its structure integrity has been damaged and become loose.  The artificially treated Type B jade will become unstable and discolor after a certain period of time since heat or household detergent will break down the polymer.

Not only the Type C jade has been chemically bleached to remove impurities, it has been dyed to enhance its color.  The color will be very rich but will not retain its brilliant coloration and will discolor after certain period because the chemical used on treatment is not stable.  The transparency and equality will be loose under strong light, body heat or household detergent.

How Jade is cut and manufactured.

There are a series of processing on jade from raw material to finished products.  After the raw stones are cut, they will then be divided into different classes (high quality material, bangle material, ring surface material, face cards material, makeup material) according to the shape of the stone, color quantum, flaws, and etc.  Then individual raw stone would be cut into pieces and rich color part would be taken out from the stone in accordance with the position of flaws, direction of the crackle, degree of color, shape and the axial direction.   After cutting, the processor will design the finished products according to the color and shape of the cut out parts.  The whole approaches are as follows:

So what is Feng Shui?

It seems, almost everyone has a different 'definition' of Feng Shui. Even the professionals in this field seem to have different definitions. Not surprisingly, even the same author, may have different definitions on the subject depending on which book you read! What exactly is this art? Is it really an art? Or is it a science?

It is because of this lack of understanding that people tend to lose respect for Feng Shui. If even the professionals don't have a common denominator on what Feng Shui is, then what value is there in it?

Some of the more common definitions circulating today are :

1. Feng Shui is an Art of Placement
2. Feng Shui is Interior Design
3. Feng Shui is about decorating your house with good luck objects
4. Feng Shui is about living in harmony with nature
5. Feng Shui is about enhancing Wealth
6. Feng Shui is about enriching lives.

Which one of these is correct? Actually, lets start with the wrong ones, it'll make it simpler?

To begin with, Feng Shui is definitely NOT the art of decorating your home with good luck objects NOR is it the so-called 'art of placement' of furniture and objects. Placement of objects and items is a new concept introduced and passed off as Feng Shui in the 90s.

In the old days, even though Chinese good luck objects were used by wealthy residents, they were never used in the context of 'Feng Shui' but always as part of 'culture'. Many people today confuse 'Culture' with 'Feng Shui', hence confusing the study of Feng Shui.

Secondly, Feng Shui is not about Interior Design. The furniture you buy, the color schemes and rich marble floors you choose are not part of Feng Shui studies. Arranging furniture and choosing color schemes are best left to the expertise of an Interior Designer. You would never ask an architect or a land surveyor to advise you on Interior design concepts. Then why ask a Feng Shui Master to undertake interior design work? Feng Shui and interior design are TWO different subjects altogether.

Thirdly, Feng Shui is not about living in harmony with nature either. I find it amusing when people say, "I want to live in harmony with nature, that's why I practice Feng Shui". If we were to really try and apply this principle in it's literal sense, it would mean living in the forest; as close to harmony with nature as possible. I realize this may upset some people, do forgive me if it does, but this is an example of what is presently being hazily defined as Feng Shui.

While it is true that Feng Shui is about "harmonizing", but the question is … what is it we are trying to harmonize?

In order to understand WHAT really Feng Shui is, one needs to refer to the old manuscripts. The Chinese have five categories of study in the world of Chinese Metaphysics - (known as the Chinese Five Arts - Wu Shu), Feng Shui is classified under physiognomy of the living environment. The Five Arts are Mountain, Medical, Divination, Destiny and Physiognomy. Physiognomy refers to observation of appearances through formulas and calculations in order to assess the potential and outcome of a person, or in this case, the out come of a person living in a certain property.

Feng Shui is therefore an art of "assessing" the quality of life through observations and analysis of the persons' living environment. Feng Shui in the old days was known as "Kan Yu" (the observation of the forces between Heaven and Earth). Only towards the end of the Qing Dynasty did the term "Feng Shui" come to be used unanimously to represent "Kan Yu". Feng Shui today is seen as many things from interior design, house decorating, fashion jewelry and village type superstition.

Basic Feng Shui Principles.

Jadeite or Nephrite...which was first?

The ancient jade carved in China was what we today call nephrite jade: an amphibolite mineral. (Interestingly enough, the word nephrite comes from the Greek word for kidney, nephros, a bit more scholarly version of the same thing.)

In the 19th Century , it was discovered that the material from the new world was not the same mineral as the jade from China. The mineral from Central America, a pyroxene, was called jadeite to distinguish it from the original nephrite.

The Chinese knew about jadeite, travelers had brought back some jadeite from Burma as early as the thirteenth century. But China was turning inward at that time and this foreign Kingfisher Stone, as they called it, referring to the brightly colored feathers of the bird, was not considered to be real jade. It only became popular in the eighteenth and nineteenth century when trade with Burma opened up again.

Why is jade used for carving?

the top jadeite jade is usually cut into smooth dome shapes called cabochons. Jadeite bangles are also very popular in Asian countries. Beads are also very beautiful and some important jadeite necklaces made during the art deco period have fetched hundreds of thousands of dollars in auctions in the past few years.

Because of its smooth even texture, jade has long been a preferred material for carving. The most common shape is the flat donut-shaped disc called a pi, which is commonly worn as a necklace. The Emerald Buddha, the sacred image that is enshrined at Wat Phra Kaeo in Bangkok, Thailand, is actually beautiful green jadeite.

Jadeite jade is most treasured for its vivid greens, but it also comes in lavender, pink, yellow, and white. Nephrite is found in less intense dark spinach greens, white, browns, and black.
While jadeite is mined today primarily in Myanmar, small quantities can be found in Guatemala.

Although neolithic jadeite axes were found in Europe, it is not known where this prehistoric jadeite was mined, although it is possible that the material came from a deposit in the Alps. Nephrite is mined in Canada, Australia, the United States, and Taiwan.

The history of pearl jewelry.

Since ancient times, the pearl has been a symbol of unblemished perfection. It is the oldest known gem, and for centuries it was considered the most valuable. A fragment of the oldest known pearl jewelry, found in the sarcophagus of a Persian princess who died in 520 BC, is displayed in the Louvre in Paris. To the ancients, pearls were a symbol of the moon and had magical powers. In classical Rome, only persons above a certain rank were allowed to wear pearl jewelry. The Latin word for pearl literally means "unique", attesting to the fact that no two pearls are identical.

Pearls have been considered ideal wedding gifts because they symbolize purity and innocence. In the Hindu religion, the presentation of an undrilled pearl and its piercing has formed part of the marriage ceremony.

In the romance languages (Spanish, French, Italian), margarita means pearl. The word pearl appeared in the English language in the fourteenth century. In the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, pearls were very fashionable in Europe as personal ornaments. The clothing of both men and women were embroidered with them.

In the Americas, both the Incas and Aztecs prized pearls for their beauty and magical powers. Spanish explorers of the New World found the natives in possession of rich pearl fisheries. For many years, the New World was best known in European cities like Seville and Cadiz as the land where pearls came from.

Most European countries in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries had laws regarding who could and could not wear pearls. Teachers and lawyers, for example, could not wear fringes or chains with pearls.

Native Americans of the Atlantic Coastal areas and the Mississippi River Basin were the first to collect and use U.S. freshwater mussel pearls and shells. Pearl pendants and ear pendants were worn by both sexes and both pearl and shell were used for decorative purposes on articles of clothing. Some of the tribes used pearls as tributes, reportedly Powhattan (Pocahontas' father) had large stores of pearls received as tribute. Additionally, armlets, pendants, and gaming pieces were made from mussel shell.

The types of Pearls.

Nearly all pearls sold today are cultured pearls. Cultured pearls are a product of pearl farmers helping nature. Several inventors at the beginning of the 20th century discovered techniques of pearl cultivation, the Japanese being the most famous of these inventors.

Cultured pearls can be from saltwater or freshwater mollusks. Pearl farmers introduce a shell bead into the oyster or mussel and the mollusk deposits layers of nacre around the bead. Many people use the term cultured pearls to refer only to pearls produced from saltwater oysters. However, the process to make freshwater pearls is the same. The correct usage is freshwater cultured pearls or saltwater cultured pearls.

Cultured Saltwater Pearls

Japanese saltwater cultured pearls come from the Akoya oyster (Pinctada fucata). Akoya oysters are also used by the Chinese to produce saltwater cultured pearls. If the country of origin is not Japan, the pearls are called Akoya pearls. Japanese Akoya pearls are the most difficult to grow due to the low survival rates of the host oysters. Less than 5 in 10 will survive the nucleation process. Of the survivors, about 40% will successfully encircle the shell nucleus irritant with nacre. Overall, less than 5% of pearl output can be considered "high quality."

At the center of every Japanese cultured pearl lies an American heart. Shell beads used as nuclei in the cultured pearl process come from freshwater mussels grown in the U.S.

What's Killing the Oysters? from the Nova OnLine site. As of 2001, the blight that was killing Akoya oysters in Japan has stopped.

Learn the difference between Akoya pearls from Japan and China. Visit Japanese Akoya Pearls vs. Chinese Akoya Pearls.

Cultured Freshwater Pearls

Freshwater cultured pearls come from freshwater mussels and are produced by the Japanese, Chinese and The U.S. The most famous type of freshwater cultured pearl is the Biwa (pronounced bee-wah) pearl which use to come from mussels grown in Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest freshwater lake. Because of pollution, production has stopped. Freshwater shell and pearl mussels are from the family Unionidae, from which about 20 different species are commercially harvested. The tones of the freshwater cultured pearls are dictated by the mother shell. White is the most common, followed by pink. Other colors depend on the type of mussels. Big washboard mussels (Megalonaias nervosa) usually have pink pearls, as do the wartyback mussel (Quadrula nodulata). Threeridge mussels (Amblema plicata) have pearls in shades of blue-green and lavender. Muckets (Actinonaias ligamentina) produce fine pink pearls, and sand mussel (Lasmigona costata) have salmon-pink pearls. Other mussels used to produce freshwater cultured pearls include the ebony, heelsplitter, pimple back, elephant ear, mapleleaf, three-ridge pigtoe, pistol grip, and butterfly.

The Chinese freshwater pearl has greatly improved in quality in the last ten years. According to Fred Ward, one of the world’s most respected gemologist and author of a half dozen books on jewelry.

More about Freshwater Pearls with pictures of the Chinese pearl farms that Pearl Oasis imports from.

The Culture of Freshwater Pearls on the Nova Online cite. This is a very good description written by Fred Ward. Has some very nice pictures of the process.

Natural Freshwater Pearls, U.S. Geological Survey.

More information about the types of freshwater mussels that produce freshwater pearls can be found here.

South Sea Pearls

South Sea pearls (also called White South Sea pearls) are saltwater pearls cultivated using the Pinctada maxima oyster (as called the silver lip or gold lip oyster), also known as the Silver-Lipped oyster, found in the South Seas (an area centered around Northern Australia and South-East Asia including Myanmar and Indonesia). They produce 10-20 mm pearls of silver or gold color. For centuries, pearl divers harvested these exotic shells for their valuable Mother of Pearl shell to make buttons. Occasionally pearls were found inside, and these pearls were regarded as a rare and valuable bonus.

Tahitian Black Pearls

Tahitian Black Pearls (also called South Sea Black pearls) are grown in the waters of French Polynesia. They are saltwater pearls from the Pinctada margaritifera or black-lipped oyster and can range from gray to black with red, green or blue overtones. This oyster also is found in the Cook Islands, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, New Caledonia, the Philippines, Panama, and the Gulf of Mexico. An adult Pinctada oyster can reach a diameter of 30 centimeters, with weight exceeding 5 kilograms (over 10 pounds). Rare specimens as large as 9 kilograms (over 19 pounds), in fact, have been harvested. It takes about two years before the oyster ready for harvesting. Only about 30 percent of the oysters cultured produce a pearl.

G.I.E. Perles de Tahiti is the Tahiti-located official promotional organization for Tahitian black pearls. This site is loaded with information.

Mabe Or Blister Pearls

Mabe Pearls are assembled from a cultured blister pearl produced by the Pteria penguin and Pteria sterna oysters(Black-winged and White-winged Pearl Oyster). Most come from Japan, Indonesia, or Australia. A large half bead is attached to the inside of the shell between the epithelial mantle of the mother-of-pearls and the animal's internal shell. The blister pearl that is produced is cut from the shell and the hollow inside is filled with wax or glue. A mother-of-pearl backing is often added.

Keshi Pearls

Keshi (in Japanese it means "poppy seed") are sub-products of the pearl. When the oyster rejects a nucleus or a pearl, the fragments of epithelium may yield keshi, baroque-shaped pearls of small diameter which have no nucleus. Keshis come in different size, shapes and coloration.

Mother of Pearl

Mother of Pearl is the iridescent substance that forms the lining of the shells of some fresh-water and some salt-water mollusks. Like the pearl it is a secretion of the mantle, composed of alternate layers of calcium carbonate and conchiolin. Among the chief sources are the pearl oyster, found in warm and tropical seas, chiefly in Asia; freshwater pearl mussels, which live in many rivers of the United States, Europe, and Asia; and the abalone of California, Japan, and other Pacific regions. Mother of Pearl jewelry are made from the inside part of the oyster shell.

Majorca Pearls

Majorca Pearls is a brand name for a type of fake pearl. They were originally manufactured on the island of Majorca in the Mediterranean, but are now made in Spain. The company uses a glass bead and coats the surface with a paste made from North Atlantic fish scales to make the imitation surface look like a real pearl. The bottom line is that a Majorca Pearl is fake and is not a pearl at all. Pearl Oasis only sells real cultured pearls that come from oysters.

Why give pearls as a gift?

Throughout history, pearls have been the gift of love. And for that, tradition has made them the jewel of brides. No other gem conveys more the warmth, and depth, the eternal quality of love. Giving the gift of love with cultured pearls is always appropriate. With an endless variety of styles and jewelry choices, the perfect pearl gift awaits everyone, on any important occasion.

In addition to weddings, think of anniversaries ... holidays ... Mother's Day ... Valentine's Day ... graduations, promotions ... and birthdays, of course, especially in June, the pearl birthstone month. Cultured pearl jewelry gifts are as wondrous and varied as your loved ones: necklaces, bracelets, pendants, rings and earrings of all kinds, brooches, cufflinks and tie tacks. Cultured pearls are the perfect gift because they suit so many tastes. For homemakers and socialites, students and businesswomen, cultured pearls always hit the mark. Young girls introduced to cultured pearls will covet them for every special occasion in their lives -- from their first Communion, or high school graduation, to their wedding day and beyond.

What lovelier gift for a new mother? For an important success in school, or business? Pearl gifts forever remind her of her life's best moments. A fine strand of cultured pearls symbolizes that a woman has attained a certain level, socially and economically. And as every woman takes pride in knowing her pearls are real ... ... she secretly enjoys how their soft, sensual smoothness embodies her very essence.

Cultured pearls are the most feminine and romantic of all gems, and they never go out of style. The versatility of pearl jewelry lets every fashionable woman make her statement, whatever the occasion.

The ultimate form of cultured pearl jewelry is the most versatile of all -- the necklace ... coming in six standard lengths ... each making a fashion statement of its own. Necklaces comprise over 60 percent of all cultured pearl jewelry sales, so it's important you be well prepared to discuss their various lengths, their versatility, and the fashion styles they complement best. First are the collars, the shortest length, usually 12 to 13 inches. Collars consist of three or more strands that lie snugly on the middle of the neck. Very Victorian and luxurious, pearl collars go best with elegant V-neck, boat-neck or off-the-shoulder fashions.

Next in length are chokers, usually 14 to 16 inches long. Perhaps the most versatile of all single-strand lengths, this classic style goes with virtually any outfit -- from casual to fancy eveningwear -- and just about any neckline. Best suited for crew or high necklines, princess necklaces are 17 to 19 inches in length. Princess necklaces complement low, plunging necklines and are perfect supports for pendants. At 20 to 24 inches, the matinee length is quite right for those seeking a more mature, conservative look -- perfect for casual or business dress, and the theatre. Opera necklaces, at 28 to 34-inches, are the queen of all lengths. Refined, and perfect for high or crew necklines, an opera necklace may be worn as a single strand, or when doubled, as a two-strand choker.

And finally, at over 45 inches, are the rope necklaces. These simply drip with elegance and luxury, but they're practical as well. Rope necklaces often have mystery clasps placed in strategic locations to allow them to be separated into multi-strand necklace-and-bracelet combinations. For women seeking the complete pearl wardrobe, this length is a must.

The history of Burma's Jade mines.

The history of Burma's jade mines in the West is a brief one. While hundreds of different reports, articles and even books exist on the famous ruby deposits of Mogok, only a handful of westerners have ever made the journey to northern Burma's remote jade mines and wrote down their findings. Occidental accounts of the mines make their first appearance in 1837. Although in 1836, Captain Hannay obtained specimens of jadeite at Mogaung during his visit to the Assam frontier (Hannay, 1837), Dr. W.Griffiths (1847) was the first European to actually visit the mines, in 1837 (Griffiths, 1847). The following is his account, as given in Scott and Hardiman (1900-1901):

These celebrated serpentine mines occupy a valley of somewhat circular form, and bounded on all sides by thickly wooded hills of no great height. To the north the valley passes off into a ravine, down which a small streamlet that drains the valley escapes, and along this at a distance of two or three miles another spot of ground affording serpentine is said to occur. The valley is small; its greatest diameter, which is from east to west, being about three quarters of a mile, and its smallest breadth from four hundred and sixty to six hundred or seven hundred yards.

The whole of the valley, which appears formerly to have been occupied by rounded hillocks, presents a confused appearance, being dug up in every direction, and in the most indiscriminate way, no steps being taken to remove the earth, &c., that have been thrown up in various places during the excavations. Nothing in fact like a pit or shaft exists, nor is there anything to repay one for the tediousness of the march from Kamaing. The stone is found in the form of more or less rounded boulders mixed with other boulders of various rocks and sizes imbedded in a brick-coloured yellow, or nearly orange-coloured clay, which forms the soil of the valley, and which is of considerable depth. The excavations vary much in form, some resembling trenches; none exceed twenty feet in depth. The workmen have no mark by which to distinguish at sight the serpentine from the other boulders; to effect this fracture is resorted to, and this they accomplish, I believe, by means of fire. I did not see the manner in which they work or the tools they employ, all the Shans having left for Kamaing, as the season had already been over for some days. No good specimens were procurable.

W. Griffiths, 1847
Journals of Travels in Assam, Burma,
Bootan, Afghanistan, and the Neighbouring Countries.

The History of Pearls and Weddings.

Since ancient times, the pearl has been a symbol of unblemished perfection. It is the oldest known gem, and for centuries it was considered the most valuable. Pearls have been considered ideal wedding gifts because they symbolize purity and innocence. In the Rigveda, an ancient Hindu book dating back to 1000 B.C. Krishna, the preserver, brought forth pearls from the depths of the sea to give to his daughter on her wedding day. Thus started the tradition of giving pearls to the bride.

The ancient Greeks also believed that pearls should be part of the wedding experience. They considered pearls to be the "wedding gem" because they believed that pearls would help ensure marital bliss and prevent newlywed brides from crying.

During the Crusades, gallant knights returning from the Holly Lands would bestow pearls to their "fair ladies" for their wedding days.

In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, pearls were at the height of wedding fashion with royal weddings in the French House of Burgundy taking place in a "sea of pearls". Everyone from the bride to her male guests were adorned in glowing pearls.

From Queen Elizabeth I to our modern Queen Elizabeth II, the tradition of wearing pearls on the wedding day has continued. At the beginning of the 20th century, pearls were as much a nuptial gem in the United States as diamonds are today.

Today, the tradition of bestowing pearls upon the bride continues. Often the father of the bride or the groom gives the gift of pearls. Many brides give their bridesmaids pearl necklaces, bracelets or earrings too.

Jade in recent history.

In recent decades, jade, its history, and its trade, has resurfaced to become a prominent and popular topic. "Revered for its beauty, strength, and ethereal power, jade is known to have been used in ritual ceremonies in China from about 5000 to 1700 B.C." (Del Sesto P.T34). For the ancient Chinese people, jade was very important to daily life, because they thought they could use the jade to communicate with different spirits that inhabited the earth. In other words, for hundreds, and even thousands of centuries, jade has been closely associated with the Chinese culture. Moreover, "To the Chinese people, it has the power to protect body and spirit for both the living and the deceased" (Chow Sang Sang p.1).

Quick question for you! When was the first jade object found in China? The answer -- over 12,000 years ago! It was a serpentine-like piece of jade that was found in the Immortal Cave in Haicheng of Liaoning Province (The Culture of China website).

The production of Chinese jade articles was highly developed by the Shang dynasty -- the 16th to the 11th century B.C. (The Culture of Jade website). The Chinese in this period did have the technology necessary to produce type, shape, and size of jade articles. But by the end of the Chou dynasty -- from the 11th century to 256 B.C., the jade in China reached a second peak in its development. The reason for this is that the craftsmen at this time had more advanced tools as well as more efficient methods of polishing and creating jade masterpieces (The Culture of Jade website).

Archaelogical findings have even revealed some unique and interesting information. For instance, in prehistoric times, pieces of jade were thought to serve important religious purposes. "The ancient Chinese carved jade into small disks called pi, to use when worshiping the God of Heaven. Four-sided jade containers known as tsung were employed to appease the God of Earth" (Free China Journal p.1). Also, many centuries ago, the Chinese wore jade ornaments in daily life as an indication of rank and social status. For example, the households of many nobles and wealthy families were filled with all kinds of carved daily articles made from jade (Free China Journal p.1). These daily items included such things as hairpins, combs, walking canes, drinking cups, and boxes for holding trinkets. And as mentioned, people would wear jade as a means of warding off injury and evil spirits. So as we can see, jade was worn and used by the early Chinese ranging from those who used the power of the sword, from those who used the power of the pen. That is, during the Chou (1122-221 B.C.) and Han (206 B.C.-221 A.D.) dynasties, jade would embellish the sword and sheath, while in the Sung (960 A.D.-1279 A.D.) and Ming (1368-1644) dynasties, many literati wrote with elegant stationary items made from jade (Free China Journal p.2). The amazing thing is that all of these ancient beliefs still hold true today and are valuable in every day life. Many people in China will wear a jade bracelet because they believe it will protect them. Many parents in China will give their son or daughter a jade bracelet to remind this young person of the parents' love and protection.

Most of the jade articles that existed thousands of years ago consisted of carved pieces -- like dragons or phoenixes, symbolic carvings to honor gods and spirits, sacrificial jade utensils, or even for combs. So how did modern day jade pieces develop? Some jade scholars in the modern jade industry would say that that influx of foreigners, especially Americans, into Beijing after the great World Wars, opened up an entirely different type of jade business. Since a lot of people did not have much money, they sought to purchase jade items such as rings, earrings, beads, bracelets, and the like. So this new influx of foreigners into Beijing offered a new market for jade sellers. Moreover, "The more inventive among the westerners began designing sets for their own adornment, and for shipment to eager American specialty and department stores" (Jade Lore, p.73.).

Tibetan-Chinese Relations.

Tibet lies in the center of Asia. At 850,000 square miles, it is slightly larger than all of Western Europe. Tibet is on a plateau resulting in an average elevation of 14,000 feet. The plateau lies between two mountain ranges. The Kunlun mountains to the north and the Himalayans to the south. The Himalayans include Mount Everest the highest peak in the world at roughly 29,000 feet. Tibetan Buddhism is the religion of 99% of the Tibetan people. Their political and spiritual leader is His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

Were it not for the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1949, it is unlikely that many westerns would be as familiar with Tibet as they are today.

The following information is designed to provide a brief overview of the Chinese invasion of Tibet and the affect it has had on Tibet and its people.

Tibet history dates back over 2000 years. Prior to the Chinese invasion of 1949, Tibet's history was not unlike that of other nations. At times, Tibet extended its influence over neighboring countries and people. At other times, it came under the influence of foreign rule.

In order for the Chinese to claim sovereign rights over Tibet, they would have to show at what particular moment in history they first legally acquired these rights. Ironically, China's claim over Tibet is based on two periods in history, when both Tibet and China fell under the rule of a foreign empire. Once in the 13th century, when they fell under rule of the Mongols and again in the 18th century during the Qing Dynasty.

In the case of the Mongol empire, China claims that during the Mongol's control of Tibet and China, the two countries were merged into one, however there is no evidence to support this claim. Therefore, it would be like claiming that any country that had once been conquered by the Roman empire could now claim sovereign rights over any other country that had been conquered by the Roman empire. Additionally, the Mongols were very respectful of the Dalai Lama as a spiritual leader. As a result, a close relationship between the Mongolian and Tibetan people exists to this day. As an interesting note, Tibet regained their independence from the Mongols before China did. Tibet then maintained their independence until the 18th century.

In the 17th century, the Manchus conquered China and created the Qing Dynasty. The Manchus had great respect for Buddhism, as a result the Dalai Lama gave spiritual guidance to the Manchu emperor in exchange for the protection of Tibet. Although Tibet maintained its independence, during the 18th century, the Manchus did exert tremendous influence when it came to the political and foreign affairs of Tibet. The relationship ceased when the Qing dynasty was overthrown in 1911. Again, there was no relationship between China and Tibet. This case for Chinese rule of Tibet, is even more tenuous since truly Tibet was never even under the rule of the Qing dynasty.

Once again Tibet remained independent until 1949, when the People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China invaded Tibet. From this point on, the Tibetan people have suffered greatly under the illegal occupation of their country.

In 1951, the Tibetan government was forced to sign the 17 point agreement. This agreement brings the country of Tibet under Chinese rule. However, it also stated that Tibet would maintain a great degree of autonomy. It clearly stated that the established status, functions and powers of the Dalai Lama would not be altered and that the religious freedoms of the Tibetan people would be respected.

The greatest irony of this document is that by requesting the Tibetan government to sign an agreement that brings Tibet under Chinese rule, the Chinese government was acknowledging that Tibet was not under Chinese rule at the time the People's Liberation Army invaded. Their own document shows that they had no right to be in Tibet in the first place! For the document to be binding, Tibet would have had to invite the Chinese into Tibet of their own freewill to engage in an open discussion.

However, the issue of the document being signed under duress is ultimately of little concern, since the Chinese government went on to breach the treaty by failing to abide by the points outlined in it.

The violations of this treaty lead to the National Uprising of 1959 by the people of Tibet. The result of this uprising is painful to recount. Somewhere between 87,000 and 430,000 of Tibet's people were killed (The lower number is reported by China, the higher number is reported by Tibet). Fearing for their lives and safety, over 100,000 Tibetans, including the Dalai Lama were forced to flee Tibet, most seeking refuge in India and Nepal.

The atrocities continue:

• Approximately 6,000 monasteries and shrines where destroyed.

• Prior to the Chinese invasion Tibet was ecologically stable.
  The Chinese then used 80% of farmable land for harvesting wheat.
  Failure of harvests and the export of food to mainland China led to
  famines in the early 1960s. It is estimated that 340,000 Tibetans
  died as a result.

• Human rights groups have confirmed by name over 700 Tibetan
  political prisoners. Many of whom are monks and nuns.

• In 1995, the 11th Panchen Lama disappeared. A Panchen Lama is
  the second most important religious figure in Tibetan culture. The Dalai
  Lama being the first. The Chinese confirmed that they have him, claiming
  they are holding him in protective custody, because he is not the real
  Panchen Lama. No human rights organization, including the UN, has been
  allowed to visit him. His exact whereabouts remain unknown to this day.
  The Chinese government named another boy as the 'real' 11th Panchen
  Lama in an attempt to exercise control over the Tibetan people by having
  a Panchen Lama that would speak for the Chinese government.

• The Chinese government has implemented financial incentive programs to
  encourage the Chinese to move to Tibet. This has resulted in the Tibetan
  people being the minority. As such they have suffered an increase in
  unemployment and are discriminated against in their own country.

• There are at least 3 nuclear missile launch sites in Tibet. Nuclear waste
  from the research facility is feared to be dumped on the nearby plains
  where Tibetan nomads allege they have suffered illness and death from
  strange diseases consistent with radiation sickness.

• Deforestation since the Chinese invasion has resulted in the loss of 50%
  of Tibet's forests.

• China maintains an occupation army in Tibet in excess of 250,000.

About Nepal

Nepal lies just south of Tibet; its actual name is the Kingdom of Nepal. At 55,000 square miles, it is about 1/15 the size of Tibet. Nepal is well known as the home of the Himalayan Mountains. Additionally, many people recognize the name Kathmandu, which is the capital of Nepal. Hinduism is the religion of 89% of the Nepalese people, while approximately 8% are Buddhist. Fortunately, the similarities between Hindu and Buddhist beliefs are such that the two religions coexist peacefully. In fact, it is quite common for Hindus to pray at Buddhist temples and vice versa. The majority of the population is Indo-Nepalese and traces their ancestry back to India. However, there is an ever-increasing percentage of Tibeto-Nepalese as a result of the many Tibetans living in exile in Nepal.

Nepal has been a kingdom for at least 1500 years. Up until the 1850s, the prime ministers were administrators in service to the King. In 1850s, a dynasty of prime ministers known as the Rana, usurped the authority of the King, leaving him to serve as a mere figurehead. In the late 1940s, the authority of the Rana regime began to come under attack. For the first time in a hundred years a non-Rana became the prime minister. This was the beginning of a political struggle in Nepal that continues to this day.

Although, it was primarily those that sought to have a democratic government that were responsible for ending the Rana regime, King Tribhuvan expected the power of rule to be returned to him, not turned over to a new government. Although outwardly, he would promote the concept of democracy to retain the support of the people, he didn't tolerate the ministry going against his wishes. Thus, whenever a ministry proved uncooperative the King replaced it.

In 1955, King Tribhuvan passed away and was succeeded by his son, King Mahendra. King Mahendra continued in much the same manner as his father. King Mahendra did allow the first free election to be held in 1959, which would form two legislative houses. However, just prior to the election the King presented the country with a new constitution. Although this constitution did not stop the election, it did vest the King with ultimate power of decision should he so choose to exercise it. It took just less than 2 years for the King to indeed exercise this option and in December of 1960, the King banned all political parties and arrested the prime minister. The prime minister was charged with failing to maintain law and order because of a high rate of violence that existed in Nepal. It is of interesting note, that many believe the King orchestrated the violence, so that he could subsequently use it as a reason to bring an end to the government and restore his own power.

The above is just a brief example of the back and forth struggle of a country that is loyal to its King, yet wishes to have a democracy. The history of this struggle is far too detailed to provided an accurate chronology of all events in the space we have here. Please visit our links pages, as we have links to sites that provide an in-depth study of the History of Nepal.

Nepal is often thought of a country with one foot in the past and one foot in the present. It is an old country, yet suffers the growing pains of a young nation. The Rana regime, while providing stability, did little to provide economic growth. When the Rana regime ended in 1951, just 2% of the adult population was literate, there was a 60% infant mortality rate and the average life expectancy was just 35 years. Telephones, electricity, and postal services served only 1% of the population. Even today, Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world with nearly half of its population living below the poverty line. However, they have made tremendous progress since 1951 and continue to move in a direction of increased hope and prosperity for their people.