When you think of jade, do you think of a beautiful, lustrous stone carved into intricate statuettes and jewelry? You probably also think of a stone that is green or white. Indeed, there are shades of green jade. But did you know that there is purple jade stone? Lavender jade jewelry is every bit as beautiful as its green cousin. And for those who choose to wear it, it’s even more attractive.
Rich purple jade gets its color from traces of iron in the stone and is very rare. Its rarity makes it valuable, so it is a good investment as well as a thing of beauty.
Like all types of jade, purple jade is a member of the pyroxene family of minerals, which are formed at high pressures such as those found inside volcanoes. This makes jade exceptionally tough. In fact it is stronger than steel, and there have been places on earth where diamonds weren’t valued for their own beauty but for how well they could shape jade. The stone was not just used ornamentally but was made into very effective weapons.
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Finding the Best Purple Jade
Like other types of jade, the lavender color should be vivid with no trace of gray or brown. The most valuable types of any kind of jade are translucent, which means they let a bit of light shine through them. A piece that is all but transparent is the most valuable kind of all. Whether it is opaque or translucent, jade should have a glassy, or vitreous luster.
Purple jade stone is used like other types of jade. It is shaped into beads, cabochons and cameos to be worn as jewelry. It is also fashioned into bowls, statuettes and other artifacts.
Caring for Purple Jade
Jade may be tough, but it should never be cleaned with harsh chemicals that can mar its color. This includes rubbing alcohol or any acids, even lemon juice. Just use tepid water and mild dishwashing soap to make sure your lavender jade jewelry always retains its individualistic beauty. Some pieces benefit from being oiled every couple of weeks and wiped down with a microfiber or chamois cloth.
See also: Chinese Jade Meaning: A History of Beauty
With care, your purple jade stone piece can last practically forever.
