NEPHRITE

As far back as 1000BC the Chinese revered Jade and treated it as their most precious stone. Collections of carved Jade, even in these times, are a source of much prestige. There is much confusion over the different types of Jade. A nephrite carving can be obtained for a few pounds, whereas the same item carved in Imperial Jade would cost thousands. This distinction is important to understand. Imperial Jade is found mostly in Myanmar (Burma) and is much more rare than Jadeite or Nephrite found in other parts of the world.