ENIGMATIC BLACK JACE

Rutilated Quartz Pendant & Brooch | Night Star

NIGHT STAR BROOCH

Enigmatic, strong, and beautiful, Jade has been sought and coveted since prehistory. Stone Age craftsman favored this tough and lustrous gem when fashioning weapons, talismans and tools. Jade has been celebrated through the ages not only for it’s tangible properties, but also as a source of metaphysical power; forging a connection to heaven and healing the body. Possessing jade has also been thought to create strength, success, and clarity of mind.
Jade is a name, which may refer to two minerals: Jadeite or Nephrite. Today over 90% of Jade comes from Myanmar. Jade has cultural significance to people of the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania but perhaps the deepest and most enduring legacy is that of China.
For thousands of years, Chinese sculptors have refined an artistic tradition of jade carving and the gemstone is an important part of Chinese cultural heritage. In Chinese tradition, Jade is especially significant as a gift, bestowing luck and protection on the recipient. It is also highly personal and thought to be linked with the wearer. For that reason, Jade jewelry as an heirloom is especially powerful, conveying familial love, protection, and respect through generations.
“I wanted to push the boundaries of inlaying a gemstone into a ring. The superior toughness of black jade allows for the inlays to be very complex, following tight tolerances and creating striking geometric shapes. The contrast between the darkness of the jade and the fine lines of gold create a masculine and elegant effect.” -Adam Neeley
Imperial jade is highly valued and recognized for it’s translucent and vibrant green color. Jade may also be white, or when coloring impurities called chromophores are present; icy blue, light violet, red, blue, or all shades of green and yellow. Black jade is actually a very deep green, resulting from a high iron content. The best specimens of Jade have no veining, cracking, or watercolor marks.
For a modern designer, Jade is an exciting material for it’s history, versatility, and beauty.
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From his Laguna Beach studio, designer and goldsmith Adam Neeley pushes the boundaries of modern jewelry design. Born a gem-lover and educated at the prestigious Gemological Institute of America and Le Art Orafe, Adam has spent his life mastering the craft and art form of jewelry making and design. As a member of the American Jewelry Design Council, Adam is honored to share his expertise and passion with the world. His award-winning jewelry is celebrated by jewelry collectors, industry authorities, including MJSA and AGTA, and the Smithsonian Institution. We invite you to learn more by visiting our About Adam and Welcome pages.