Gemstones Beginning with "J"

Jade is the general term used for two different and distinct minerals called jadeite and nephrite. The name is derived from the Spanish "piedra de ijada," meaning hip stone, because it was seen as a protection against and a cure for kidney diseases during the time of the Spanish Conquest. See Jadeite and Nephrite for specific details on these species of jade.

Jadeite is one of two species referred to as jade. (Nephrite is the other species.) It is most commonly known as green, but occurs in all colors, including shades of mauve, pink, black or blue, and appears greasy and opaque to translucent when polished. The most desired variety of jadeite is Imperial Jade, a translucent to transparent emerald-green from from Myanmar. Another variety is Chloromelanite (also known as jade albite or maw-sit-sit), a deep green with dark green-black spots or veins from upper Myanmar. The Chinese term for jadeite is Yunan-Jade, named for the province through which it was imported from Burma. Jadeite deposits can be found in upper Burma, China, Japan, Canada, Guatemala, Kazakhstan, Russia and California. Jadeite is said to help balance and support the energy of the kidneys and lymphatic system; to calm the nervous system and ease over-excitement; and to enable the sharing of unconditional love with all beings. Mohs' hardness: 6-1/2 to 7.

Jasper is a name given to a very large group of stones that occur in many different colors. Actually a chalcedony, scientists often put it into its own group within the quartz group because of its grainy structure. Derived from the Greek word meaning "spotted stone," jaspers are opaque and contain up to 20 percent of other materials, which determine their color, streak and appearance. Common colors are red, brown and yellow, as well as a broad spectrum of multicolored, striped or flamed varieties that have their own names and are defined throughout this glossary. Deposits can be found in Egypt, Australia, Brazil, India, Canada, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Russia, Uruguay and the United States. Mohs' hardness: 6-1/2 to 7.

Jet, named for a river in Turkey, is essentially a hardened form of coal, formed from waterlogged wood trapped under layers of mud, where the carbon has become compressed over time. It is deep black or dark brown and has a velvety, waxy luster. Deposits can be found in England, Germany, France, Poland, Spain, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. Jet is said to surround the body with protection and help neutralize negativity in a gentle way; to help with the recall of past lives and the healing of past issues persisting in this life; and to help improve memory. Mohs' hardness: 2-1/2 to 4.

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