Afghan Jade Matte Cubes, (Medium Size) Strand

Afghan Jade Matte Cubes, Medium Approx. 17" long Bead Size Approx. 13mm x 8mm to 22mm x 11mm Sold by the strand Since prehistoric times, Jade was used in many parts of the world for arms and tools because of its exceptional toughness. For over 2,000 years, Jade had religious significance in China and mystic figures and other symbols were carved from it. In the pre-Columbian period, the Mayas, Aztecs and Olmecs of Central America honored and esteemed Jade more highly than gold. But only in 1863 was it discovered that Jade is actually not a single mineral. What was traditionally called Jade is in fact two separate and distinct minerals: Jadite and Nephrite. Jade is a term applied to two different metamorphic rocks containing different silicate minerals. Jadeite is often called “hard Jade,” and Nephrite is “soft Jade.” The two varieties of Jade even have different crystal structures. While Jadeite's structure is an arrangement of grainy crystals, Nephrite is made up of fibrous crystals