- This stone is really well-known, it was very popular in ancient time ,
especially in Egypt and China. Many centuries ago people carved
amulets from nephrite, they even made nephrite coins.
- Nephrite is in fact a fine-grained, calcium-rich, magnesium, iron,
aluminous amphibole. It is composed of highly intergrown, interlocking
(matted or felted texture, like asbestos or felt) crystals. Though this
stone is not very hard (its hardness is from 5 to 6,5 Moh’s Scale
depending on the deposit), nephrite is one of the toughest gem
minerals known because of the intergrown nature of the individual
crystals.
- There is a story that a big boulder of Siberian nephrite was put once on
the anvil and hit by the heavy steam hammer. The boulder did not get a
scratch, though the anvil was broken in pieces.
- Nephrite gets its name from Greek “nephros” – kidney, ancient people
believed nephrite to treat kidney diseases. Numerous deposits of this
material are spread around the world, there are mines in British
Columbia (Canada), in China, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and
Alaska. Nephrite can have all shades of green color – apple-green,
grass-green, olive, sometimes bluish or yellowish. There is also white
nephrite, but pure white color is very rare.
- The history of nephrite in Russia begins in 15th century, when it was
brought from Central Asia by merchants. First nephrite mine in Russia,
in Sayany mountains near the Baikal lake, was found only in 18th
century.
- Several varieties of Russian nephrite are really unique – for example,
there is so-called “Ulan-Khodinskiy” nephrite, which has a color much
similar to chrysophrase. Sometimes Russian nephrite has a cat’s eye
effect, and this in combination with beautiful green color makes it even
more attractive. However, really good cat’s eye nephrite is very rare,
and it is much more expensive then regular one.
- The astrologers say that nephrite is connected with religion and
rebuilding of the whole life. Nephrite talismans protect life, save from
poisoning, give cheerfulness, cure physical diseases. Nephrite saves
from earthquakes and lightning, reflects the evil eye and misfortunes,
helps in family life and labors. A carved nephrite as a present is a sign
of special love and friendship, eternal gratitude and favor.
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