Jade Therapy Stones uses a stone whose composition is calcium-magnesium-iron silicate. In 1863, Prof. Alexander Damour named the stone, the treasure of Confucius that had been carved for thousands of years, ‘nephrite.’ It is a waxy jade made up of rope-like fibrous crystals that breaks open like a sugar cube (as compared to jadeite, also named by Damour, which has large, interlocking crystals and sheers when it is split). This stone has a density of 6.5 (as compared to jadeite at 7.0), and a specific gravity of 2.90-3.02. Nephrite, unlike jadeite (which is considered by many experts to be the only true form of gem-quality jade), is a more common stone found in many areas of the world. This particular nephrite is mined in Northern China. Although its natural color is best described as eggshell white, nephrite appears in a number of other colors, with the green shades being more somber than jadeite, closer to sage or spinach green, and even green so dark as to look black. When immersed in hydrochloric acid as a test of authenticity, nephrite will have little to no reaction as compared to some stones which are represented as jade (especially serpentine and bowenite, which are softer and react badly to an acid test, as does marble).

One of the oldest-known stones, (historical references trace jade to about 4000 BC.), nephrite was used for weapons, tools of survival, money, medicinal purposes (kidney disease and other internal ailments), and social rank. The Chinese ruler, Fu Hsi, in 3000 BC, gave it the Chinese name “Yu,” and spoke of the stone’s near human qualities. It has long been considered a stone of good-luck, prosperity, protection, with the ability to balance yin and yang (hence, stone of heaven, a bridge to heaven). It is the stone of the heart, and is considered the concentrated essence of love. Its positive force promotes courage, self-reliance, and leads to a richer, more fulfilling life.

Nephrite is able to stand on its own, as it holds heat and less-heat (cold) equally well, making it a stone that carries two temperatures. This attribute makes it possible to do treatments with fewer stones, making set-up easier (in less space, saving cost and time), and making portable treatments more functional because the same stone may be used in several applications with varied temperatures throughout a treatment. Also, nephrite becomes an excellent complement to the use of basalt, sardonyx, and marble, for it brings its own unique flexibility as it joins the work of bringing heat to the body or pulling heat (inflammation) out of the body. Its energy is gentle, and it gives and receives temperature in a less intense manner than most other stones, making its use even more special and comforting.