What is commonly known as Jade can be either Nephrite (from China, New Zealand, Russia, Guatemala and the Swiss Alps) or the rarer Jadeite (from Burma, China, Russia and Guatemala). It can be white, gray, black, yellow, violet and the more widely recognized hues of greens. In non-European cultures Jade has historically been more valuable than gold.

Jade is considered the concentrated essence of love. Some use it for protection or to promote longevity and divine love. It is thought to protect the kidneys, liver, spleen, heart, larynx, thymus and thyroid.