Weight – 7.62 oz’s – 216.1 gm’s
Dimensions – 4.799″ x 1.302″ long/wide (12.191 x 3.306 cm’s)
Country of Origin – Afghanistan
Nephrite Jade Point/Tower
USD $38.00
SKU: P4197
This specimen is Nephrite Jade and has been cut and polished into an Point/Tower. Although dark in color this piece has an array of green tones throughout. Found in Afghanistan. White background photos have been done for this piece to help see all the green tones and patterns.
In stock
Click/Tap Buttons to Jump to Section
Nephrite Jade Origins & Background
Nephrite Jade is one of the two true forms of Jade and has been revered across cultures for thousands of years for its toughness, beauty, and spiritual significance. Among all Nephrite sources worldwide, New Zealand Nephrite holds a unique and deeply respected position.
In Aotearoa (New Zealand), Nephrite Jade is known as Pounamu. It is a sacred taonga (treasured stone) to Māori, woven into genealogy, identity, and spiritual life. Pounamu is traditionally regarded not merely as a stone, but as a living presence carrying mana (authority, prestige) and whakapapa (lineage).
New Zealand Nephrite is widely regarded as the most powerful and energetically refined of the Nephrite family. Its reputation arises from both its exceptional physical quality and the profound cultural, spiritual, and ancestral relationship maintained with it over centuries.
Historically, Pounamu was used to create tools, weapons, adornments, and heirloom carvings passed down through generations. Each piece carries story, intention, and responsibility.
Major sources of Nephrite Jade include New Zealand, China, Canada, Russia, Pakistan, Thailand and Australia.
Nephrite Jade Geological Information
Nephrite Jade is a calcium magnesium iron silicate that forms under high-pressure, low-temperature metamorphic conditions, typically associated with subduction zones. Its internal structure consists of tightly interwoven fibrous crystals, giving Nephrite extraordinary toughness rather than simple hardness.
New Zealand Nephrite occurs primarily as river boulders and glacially transported material, having been eroded from alpine source zones and carried downstream over immense time periods. This natural tumbling contributes to the rounded forms and dense, cohesive structure of many Pounamu pieces.
Recognized Māori Varieties of Pounamu
Māori historians and master carvers recognize several distinct varieties of Nephrite Jade, each with its own appearance and character:
- Pounamu Kahurangi: Highly translucent, vibrant green; traditionally the most prized variety.
- Pounamu Kawakawa: Deep, rich green; the most common and widely used variety.
- Pounamu Inanga: Pale green to grey-green, named after the whitebait fish.
- Pounamu Tangiwai: Bowensite (a related serpentine), lighter and more glassy in appearance.
- Pounamu Raukaraka: Speckled or mottled with inclusions, often highly distinctive.
- Pounamu Putiputi: A rich green base with distinctive golden, yellow, orange, and cream inclusions.
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Mineral Species | Nephrite Jade |
| Chemical Formula | Ca₂(Mg,Fe)₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂ |
| Crystal System | Monoclinic |
| Hardness (Mohs Scale) | 6–6.5 |
| Toughness | Exceptional |
| Transparency | Opaque to translucent |
| Typical Form | Massive, boulder |
Nephrite Jade Crystal Care & Ownership Advice
⚠️ Handling:
Nephrite Jade is extremely tough and well suited to daily wear, carving, and handling.
🧼 Cleaning:
Water-safe for rinsing. Mild soap may be used if required. Dry thoroughly.
☀️ Light:
Light-stable under normal conditions.
📦 Storage & Display:
Nephrite may be stored with other durable stones. Polished pieces benefit from occasional gentle wiping to maintain sheen.
Click/Tap Buttons to Jump to Section
Jade Origins & Background
Jade is one of the most historically revered stones in human civilization, treasured for thousands of years across many cultures. It has been associated with virtue, wisdom, protection, and spiritual refinement, particularly in ancient Chinese, Mesoamerican, and Indigenous traditions.
The name “Jade” actually refers to two distinct minerals: Nephrite and Jadeite. Both are exceptionally tough materials, prized not only for beauty but for durability. Jade has been carved into tools, ceremonial objects, talismans, and works of art since prehistoric times.
Major sources of Jade include China, Myanmar (Burma), Canada, Russia, and Central America. Each locality produces material with its own color range, texture, and cultural significance.
Jade Geological Information
Jade forms under high-pressure, low-temperature metamorphic conditions, typically associated with subduction zones. Its exceptional toughness comes from tightly interwoven crystal structures rather than hardness alone.
There are two true forms of Jade:
- Nephrite: a calcium magnesium iron silicate, more commonly found and traditionally used in ancient cultures.
- Jadeite: a sodium aluminum silicate, rarer and often more vividly colored.
Jade does not form as crystals with terminations, but rather as massive, compact material. Its fibrous or granular internal structure gives it remarkable resistance to breaking.
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Mineral Species | Jadeite |
| Chemical Formula | Variable (silicate minerals) |
| Crystal System | Monoclinic/Trigonal (Jadeite) |
| Hardness (Mohs Scale) | 6–7 |
| Toughness | Exceptional |
| Luster | Greasy to vitreous |
| Transparency | Opaque to translucent |
Jade Crystal Care & Ownership Advice
⚠️ Handling:
Jade is extremely tough and suitable for regular handling, jewelry, and meditation use.
🧼 Cleaning:
Water-safe for rinsing. Mild soap may be used if necessary. Dry thoroughly.
☀️ Light:
Light-stable under normal conditions.
📦 Storage & Display:
Jade can be stored with other durable stones. Polished pieces benefit from occasional gentle wiping to maintain luster.
Related Crystal Specimens
-
USD $13.00 -
USD $29.00 -
USD $34.00
-
USD $47.00
