Jade Bracelets The so-called “Green gold” with a history dating back to more than 4,000 years ago in China, is one of the favorite accessories of Vietnamese women. They believe that wearing jade protects the person from negative energies, greed, spirits, and bad luck.
She has Egyptian and Yemeni descent from her mother's side and English descent from her father's side. Thirlwall identifies as mixed-race, and is learning to connect more with her Arab-Egyptian-Yemeni heritage and its language in hopes of travelling more to the Middle East.
The Origins of Jade
Jade has been mined and worked in China since the Stone Age. In prehistoric sites, jade artifacts include simple ornaments with bead, button, and tubular shapes.
In China, the rich, emerald green gemstone known as imperial jade is a symbol of status, of purity, of deep spirituality and of good health. It is no coincidence that in Chinese writing, the character for 'jade' is virtually identical to the character for 'emperor. '
From the earliest Chinese dynasties to the present, the jade deposits most used were not only those of Khotan in the Western Chinese province of Xinjiang but other parts of China as well, such as Lantian, Shaanxi.
Australian black jade is among the finest in the world and is sought after by serious carvers. There are two main areas where black jade is found – one in South Australia, the other in New South Wales – and all of these occurrences are or have been, prospected or mined.
the limestone hills of Northern Vietnam. Vietnam were made most likely of local nephrite, but some used imported Taiwan Fengtian nephrite. 265–420), documented that central Vietnam had its own jade mine, although it is unknown today.
Jade: A Cultural Symbol
Other simpler ways of maintaining Vietnamese culture include examples such as women wearing a simple jade bracelet on the left wrist for good luck. The women believe that the jade keeps negative thoughts/wishes/spirits/luck away from the wearer.
Jade is traditionally revered in many Asian cultures, where it's considered more precious than gold or diamonds. Legend has it that it protects the wearer from misfortune — if your bangle breaks, that's because it was absorbing the evil intentions directed towards you.
Currently, Cowell in South Australia is the only commercial jade mine in Australia. Mining is done using excavators in open pits. They extract large boulders from the ground that contain the jade.
From the Han period (206 B.C.E. –220 C.E.) jade was obtained from the oasis region of Khotan on the Silk Route. The oasis lies about 5000 miles from the areas where jade was first worked in the Hongshan (in Inner Mongolia) and the Liangzhu cultures (near Shanghai) about 3000 years before.
The Chinese, Maori, and Meso-American cultures, in particular, prized jade and excelled at creating amazing pieces from it. When the Spaniards arrived in Mexico, the Aztecs valued jade many times more than its weight in gold.
The most valuable jade color is known as “imperial jade” and occurs only in jadeite. Imperial jade is a green balanced between blue and yellow hues. The ideal tone is medium-dark, about 75%, where green hues are optimally saturated.
Who Should Wear Jade? The Jade stone particularly favours wisdom and insightful thinking; hence, it works best for people feeling indecisive and directionless. However, anyone and everyone can wear a Jade stone as it promotes positive thoughts and attracts good luck.
Jade is a stone, everyone regardless of gender, and race are allowed to collect and wear them just like any other stones.
A thread bracelet keeps a person safe from evil and serves as a sign of marriage or being protected by a shaman. A visitor to the home will be welcomed with a thread bracelet which means that visitor is considered a family member.
Traditionally, older Chinese and Vietnamese women wear jade around their wrists to protect and heal the body, and to ward off bad spirits.
Rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings are some of the articles one can find being sold here. Woven bracelets with beads and charms are also a specialty here in Vietnam. Jewellery is very easy to purchase and carry and hence a good choice to buy as a souvenir for your friends and family.
Jade sticks symbolize power and status. In feudal times, jade sticks were owned by kings and aristocrats and thought to bring money and luck to their owners. In Vietnam, during the Nguyen Dynasty, jade sticks were considered inseparable companions of crown princes.
In the northern mountains, jade objects have been found in the Ha Giang and Mai Pha cultures. Vietnamese archaeologists have discovered yellow, white and grey nephrite [jade is the stone of nephrite or jadeite] bracelets, beads, axes and adzes.
Vietnam is a source of ruby, sapphire, spinel, tourma- line, peridot, garnet, aquamarine, green orthoclase, topaz, zircon, quartz, and pearls (cultured saltwater and freshwater, as well as natural Melo).
In many cultures, jade is believed to bring good luck and protect the wearer from negative energy. This makes jade bangles a popular choice for jewelry, particularly in Asia. They say that jade is alive, and will absorb whatever energy you emanate.
Jade is actually more important in China than other areas although it historically has been used outside of Imperial China for ornamental objects, tools, and weapons Unearthed in areas like Australia, North America, South America, and Europe.