JADE - information

Jade amulets were believed to protect against misfortune. As a stone that signifies love and inner-peace, jade is thought to bring balance and happiness in life, as well providing its wearer with joy and courage. Jade (also: Jadeite) is a sodium aluminum compound. The inclusion of chromium causes the stone's fantastic green color. But there are also Jade stones that are colored yellow, violet, or black. Main sites where jade can be found are in China, Egypt and Mexico. The name Jade is derived from the Spanish phrase "piedras de ijade" (“stone of the colic”). In ancient China, people referred the jade as "bao yu", and the stones possessed more value than gold. Numerous jeweled and ritual objects in China were made from jade. The Chinese associated this stone with five cardinal virtues: wisdom, justice, compassion, modesty and courage. Mayans and Aztecs also valued this stone very much.