Choose a letter, pick a stone from the list, and read about it: what it is made of, how hard it is, what it looks like, what it has traditionally been said to do, and how to look after it.

450 minerals

Jade

The Tranquil Green Keeper of Luck

Also known as: Jadeite, Nephrite

About the stone

Jade crystal — Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Jade is the traditional name for two exceptionally tough ornamental materials, nephrite and jadeite, prized for tools, jewelry, and ritual carvings since the Stone Age. French mineralogist Alexis Damour established their chemical distinction in 1863. Major sources include Myanmar and Guatemala for jadeite, and China, Canada, Russia, and New Zealand for nephrite. Its name derives from the Spanish piedra de ijada, “stone of the pain in the side,” reflecting an old medicinal belief; China’s yù is a broader cultural term encompassing jade and certain other prized stones. In Chinese tradition, jade symbolizes virtue, purity, prosperity, and longevity, while Maya and Aztec peoples treasured it for religious objects.

Mineral data

Chemical composition: Jade is the name for two different silicates: jadeite, a sodium aluminum pyroxene, NaAlSi₂O₆, and nephrite, a calcium magnesium amphibole, Ca₂(Mg,Fe)₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂.
Hardness: 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale: about 6 to 6.5 for nephrite and 6.5 to 7 for jadeite.
Color: Emerald green is most prized; jadeite and nephrite also occur in white, lavender, red, brown, blue, black and dark green.

Metaphysical data

Jade, prized for centuries in Asia and Central America, has been utilized in metaphysical practices to bring serenity, good fortune and the gentle wisdom that comes from tranquility.

Tranquil and Fortunate Energy

Jade is believed to aid in the gaining of wisdom through tranquility, bringing a deep sense of calm to a busy life.
It is a stone of good luck, wealth and friendship, serenity and purity, long treasured as a talisman of well-being.

Emotional Healing

The stone is often used to increase feelings of love and nurturing behaviors, softening the heart toward family and friends.
It helps release tension and feelings of irritability, replacing sharp edges with an even, patient temperament.

Harmonizing Energy Centers

Jade is associated with the heart chakra, where it is thought to encourage compassion, harmony and a serene sense of connection.
Its steady green energy is believed to calm the heart, balancing giving and receiving in all relationships.

Zodiac Associations

Jade is linked with Aries, Taurus, Gemini and Libra, signs that are believed to benefit from its harmonizing and good-luck qualities.
Its vibration is associated with the numbers 2 and 11, suggesting partnership and cooperation through the 2 and spiritual insight through the 11.

Spiritual Growth

Jade brings insightful dreams and revelations, making it a valued companion for dream work, journaling and quiet reflection.
Prized in both ancient Asia and Central America, it carries a long history of use in ritual, remembrance and the honoring of life.

Physical Healing

Jade is historically known to aid the function of the kidneys and loins, and is said to support the body's filtration and elimination organs, though it is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Anyone with kidney or urinary concerns should consult a qualified professional, treating the stone only as a comforting keepsake.

Care and handling

Jade is tough, but jadeite and nephrite can still chip or crack if hit sharply. Clean it with lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft cloth, then dry it. Avoid harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners, steam and extreme heat, which can harm treated or waxed pieces. Wear jade in a way that it will not be knocked, and store it apart from harder gems. Its color is stable in light.

Individual experiences with Jade vary, and its effects are personal. Approach it with respect for its long history, use it mindfully for calm and good fortune, and trust your own intuition.