The Mineral
From the depths of the earth, tougher than steel.
Formation & Geology
True Jade is two distinct minerals: Nephrite (fibrous & tough) and Jadeite (rare & translucent). Created in subduction zones where tectonic plates collide, it is literally forged by the movement of continents.
Global Origins
- Myanmar: The home of Imperial Jadeite.
- Canada (BC): The world's largest Nephrite deposits.
- New Zealand: Known locally as Pounamu.
- China: The historic heart of Jade culture.
Jewellery & Industry
Prized for its toughness, Jade doesn't just sparkle; it endures. "Gold has a price; Jade is priceless."
The Etymology
Origin: Spanish "Piedra de Ijada" (Stone of the side/flank).
When Spanish explorers arrived in the Americas, they saw indigenous healers using the stone to cure kidney ailments. The name traveled back to Europe, eventually evolving into the English Jade.
In China, the character represents a King holding a droplet—the jewel of heaven.
The Culture
Jade in music, film, and the public eye.
Music
- Jade Warrior: UK Prog-Rock legends.
- Jade: 90s R&B Trio.
- "Jade": Song by X Japan.
Film & Art
- Film: Jade (1995) by William Friedkin.
- Art: The "Jade Green" palette defined the 1920s Art Deco movement.
Famous Jades
- Jade Jagger: Designer
- Jade Raymond: Tech/Gaming
- Jade Thirlwall: Musician
- Jade Sen: Entrepreneur
The Curator
Jade O'Hanlon
Based in Leyland, Lancashire, Jade O'Hanlon is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts. A builder, musician, and former business owner for EMEAR at Cisco, he now explores the nature of reality and AI consciousness.
"This site is a collection of curiosities surrounding the name, the stone, and the brand."
Also owner of: MrJade.co.uk and MrJade.com