Jade, White, Natural, Heishi Bicone, One 3x6mm Strand

Jade, White, Natural, Heishi Bicone, One 3x6mm Strand. 

This price is for one strand 15 to 16 inches long. 

3x6mm heishi bicone bead strands about 120 pieces. 

This Jade is Nephrite.  There are two types of Jade: Nephrite and Jadeite. They both have similar properties and appearances, but Nephrite is more common, and therefore, the less expensive of the two. For centuries, Jadeite and Nephrite were considered the same. They were not identified as different until 1863. The two stones differ in color and hardness. Jadeite is harder, rating a 7 on the hardness scale, while Nephrite rates only a 6.5. Jadeite comes in virtually every color while Nephrite has a more limited range of color.

Nephrite Jade is one of the two distinct minerals commonly known as Jade. Nephrite Jade is a mineral composed of highly dense, fibrous crystal masses. While Nephrite does not match the variety or the fine green colors found in Jadeite, it does occur in attractive colors, including green.

Nephrite is the Jade that was first used in China for weapons, and later for ornaments and most popularly used now in carvings, jewelry, and decorations. There are large Nephrite deposits throughout China. The most economically important green Nephrite sources are found in China, British Columbia (BC Jade), and Siberia.

Nephrite Jade is Alaska and Wyoming’s state gemstone.

Hardness 6.5

These beads are natural stone that has no treatment and are cut, drilled and polished in China.