Jadeite is one of two minerals referred to in English as jade. The other is nephrite. Jadeite has been used for thousands of years in both China and Central America for ornaments and for religious rituals. Jadeite is usually green to grayish green, with some stones being white or grayish blue or purple.

Early History
Jade and jadeite have been used in Chinese culture since prehistoric times. In Chinese, jade is called "the stone of heaven"; it is considered talismanic and is sometimes used as part of Chinese medicine. Jadeite beads dating back over 2,500 years have been found in Central America, especially in Costa Rica.

Burmese Jade
Veins of jadeite in Burma produce the world's most famous jades. The term Burmese Jade generally refers to jadeite. Jadeite from Burma commands a premium in jade markets throughout Asia. Although some trade occurred and Burmese jadeite has been circulating in China in smaller quantities, major trade first began around 250 years ago. Prior to this, nephrite was preferred by Chinese collectors.

Chinese Jade
Chinese jade use and collecting began with nephrite in prehistoric times. Although small quantities of jadeite were imported from Burma, most local Chinese mines produced nephrite. Chinese jade preferences have changed over the past 250 years and now view jadeite as superior to nephrite. Jade is often worn to protect a wearer, especially pregnant women, from falls or injury as a result of falls.

Central American Jade
Central American ritual use of jadeite was an outgrowth of other stone-working practices. The rarity, color and luster of jade made it very valuable. Early jade beads and ritual tools date back to 1,500 B.C.E. with jade sculptures and forms appearing around 500 B.C.E.

North American Jadeite
European settlement in the Pacific Northwest, including Washington State, Alaska and British Columbia, resulted in the discovery of jade. Although considered of lower quality than Burmese jade, the jade in this area includes both jadeite and nephrite. Jadeite is more rare in this area, but incidents of small nephrite boulders being located in Washington State streams are still somewhat common.