Jade is a highly valued metamorphic mineral prized by diverse cultures across the globe for its exceptional toughness and beauty. This stone holds a unique place in human history, often associated with spiritual power, status, and immortality. Its origins are tied to specific, rare geological conditions and the independent discoveries of ancient peoples. The material known generically as “jade” actually refers to two chemically distinct mineral species, each with its own story of formation and geographic source.
The Geological Origins of Nephrite and Jadeite
The two minerals identified as jade are nephrite and jadeite, which differ significantly in their chemical composition and geological environments. Nephrite is a softer but remarkably tough calcium magnesium iron silicate, belonging to the amphibole mineral group. It forms under relatively low pressure and high stress through the metamorphism of rocks like dolomite or serpentinite, often occurring in ophiolite belts.
Jadeite, conversely, is a rarer and harder sodium aluminum silicate mineral belonging to the pyroxene group. Its formation requires extremely high pressure coupled with relatively low temperatures, conditions typically found deep within subduction zones. Here, one tectonic plate slides beneath another, forcing oceanic crust into the earth’s mantle. The intense pressure and the presence of metasomatic fluids facilitate the crystallization of jadeite in veins within serpentinite rock.
The fibrous, interlocking crystal structure of nephrite gives it extreme resistance to breaking, making it ideal for ancient tools and ceremonial objects. Jadeite, with its granular structure, is favored for fine jewelry due to its greater hardness, ability to take a higher polish, and wider range of vivid colors. The distinct geological requirements explain why deposits of gem-quality jade are localized and rare.
Historical and Cultural Beginnings in Asia
Nephrite was the first material extensively worked and revered in Asia, establishing a cultural tradition over seven thousand years old. In ancient China, where the material was known as yù, it was considered superior to gold and associated with the virtues of a noble person. Neolithic cultures developed sophisticated carving techniques, with the earliest known examples dating back to the Hongshan in the northeast and Liangzhu in the southeast.
The Hongshan culture (c. 4700–2200 BCE) is known for intricate zoomorphic carvings, such as the famous pig-dragon. The Liangzhu culture (c. 3400–2250 BCE) produced large quantities of ritual objects, most notably the cong cylinder and the bi disc. For millennia, the traditional source of the highest-quality white nephrite, often called “mutton-fat jade,” was the Hetian (Khutan) region in Xinjiang. This material traveled eastward, cementing jade’s status as a symbol of elite power and immortality.
Jadeite did not become widely used in China until the 18th century, arriving via trade routes from what is now Myanmar during the Qing Dynasty. The vibrant, emerald green variety of jadeite quickly captured the attention of the imperial court. This later arrival highlights that the ancient Asian jade tradition was founded almost entirely upon the use and sourcing of nephrite.
Independent Origins in the Ancient Americas
The emergence of jade use in Mesoamerica represents a completely separate origin story, occurring without any known contact with Asian civilizations. The stone of reverence here was primarily jadeite, which was often valued more highly than gold by indigenous cultures. The use of jadeite began with the Olmec civilization around 1500 BCE, who carved it into ceremonial celts and figures.
Following the Olmec, the Maya civilization continued to prize jadeite, using it for regal burial masks, pendants, and offerings associated with water, fertility, and the cosmos. The value placed on the material demonstrates a parallel yet independent cultural development centered on the stone’s perceived spiritual qualities. The primary ancient source for the high-quality jadeite used by these civilizations was the Motagua River Valley in modern-day Guatemala.
This region’s unique geology, situated along a major fault line, produced the coveted blue-green jadeite known as “Olmec Blue.” After the Spanish conquest, knowledge of the ancient mining sites was lost until the deposits were rediscovered in the 1970s. The rediscovery of massive veins of jadeite confirmed the Motagua Valley as the singular source for the New World’s ancient jade tradition.
Modern Global Sources and Distribution
Today, the global market for jade is supplied by numerous sources, with the highest-quality material often coming from remote and geologically active regions. The vast majority of the world’s gem-quality jadeite is currently sourced from the “Jade Tract” in northern Myanmar, specifically the Hpakan area. This region produces the highly translucent, imperial green jadeite that commands the highest prices internationally.
Nephrite, being geologically more common, is mined in several large commercial operations worldwide. Major sources include Siberia, Russia, and the extensive deposits in British Columbia, Canada. New Zealand is also a notable source, where the local nephrite, known as pounamu, is deeply significant to the Māori people. While China remains the cultural heart of jade, its commercial nephrite supply now relies heavily on imports from these global sources.