Images of the precious stone jade and China are often closely associated. But these early jade tools were constructed from nephrite, the softer and less lustrous cousin of jadeite, also called "yu." The jade naturally found in China is all nephrite and not jadeite.
Han Dynasty
The most iconic Chinese jade pieces, those from the Han dynasty such as the disks with holes in the center called "pi," are made from nephrite not jadeite.
Burmese Jadeite
Jadeite is found naturally in Myanmar. While the popularity of jade working in China died down for awhile, in part because of Buddhist influences, it experienced a resurgence when the Chinese began importing Burmese jadeite in the 17th century.
Popularity of Jadeite
The harder and more lustrous jadeite became so popular during the 18th century, some shops specializing in producing nephrite items were forced to close their doors.
Colors
One of the most appealing features of jadeite was it came in a range of colors depending on the minerals formed with it. For instance, jadeite that was white was pure and green jadeite contained chromium. "Hui Shi" was the most expensive jadeite and also the most rare. It was, therefore, purchased only for the palace.
New Antiques
Jade symbolized earlier times in China, so many objects were commissioned to resemble those from past eras such as the Han dynasty. These items carved from jadeite were called "new antiques."
Europeans
The 18th century saw the beginnings of a European trade in jadeite with China. The Europeans thought the stone could cure diseases of the kidney, and named nephrite and jadeite after words for "kidney."
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