Learn About Jade
Learn About
Jade
Jade is not one stone — it is a world. Two distinct minerals, dozens of colors, thousands of years of history, and sourcing stories that span continents. This is your guide to understanding it all.
Select a guide below to explore the origins, colors, and character of each jade variety we source and sell at JADEscape.
Two True Jades
The word “jade” refers to two entirely different minerals: jadeite and nephrite. Both are true jade. Both have been revered across cultures for millennia. But they differ in origin, mineral composition, color range, and character. At JADEscape, we source and celebrate both.
Jadeite
The rarer of the two. Found commercially in Guatemala and Myanmar. Harder, brighter, and available in a wider range of colors including the legendary Princesa Blue and Imperial Green.
Nephrite
The tougher of the two. Found in Canada, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia. A deep, waxy green with extraordinary durability — revered for 7,000 years across Asia, Oceania, and the Americas.
Explore by Origin
Each guide covers the colors, geology, history, and sourcing story of a specific jade variety.
Guatemalan Jade
The only place on Earth where true jadeite forms in commercial quantities. Discover Princesa Blue, Lilac, Traditional Green, and Black — each a geological marvel from Guatemala’s Motagua Valley.
Canadian Nephrite
British Columbia nephrite is widely regarded as the world’s finest. Explore Imperial Green, Forest Green, Celadon, and Black Nephrite — each shaped by the ancient geology of Canada’s mountain ranges.
Kazakh, Burmese & Mongolian Jade
Three extraordinary origins are joining the JADEscape collection. Sign up for early access and be the first to know when these rare varieties arrive.
Why Education Matters
The jade market is full of imitations, treatments, and misinformation. At JADEscape, we believe that an educated buyer is the best buyer. These guides exist so you can buy with confidence, ask the right questions, and truly appreciate what you hold in your hands.
Know What You’re Buying
Understand the difference between jadeite and nephrite, treated and natural, and what makes one stone more valuable than another.
Trace the Origin
Every jade has a geography. We tell you exactly where ours comes from — because provenance is everything in this market.
Appreciate the Story
Jade has been sacred to civilizations for 7,000 years. Understanding that history makes every piece more meaningful.
Ready to Find Your Stone?
Browse our full collection — every piece sourced directly, every stone natural and untreated.
Shop JADEscape Collections