Jade

Although originally thought to be one crystal, it was discovered in 1863 that there are actually two true types of Jade, Nephrite Jade and Jadeite. Nephrite Jade is most often seen in a mid to deep green, although it has other colour variations, often with black spotting, whereas Jadeite is found in a variety of colours including green, purple and white. All other Jades, including New Jade, African Jade, Afghan Jade etc, are not real Jade, they are varieties of Serpentine or other green minerals such as Amazonite. Jade has been used since the Stone Age for weapons, tools and decorative and spiritual objects. It has a long reputation as a good luck and prosperity crystal. The Chinese and Koreans are particularly fond of Jade.