Big Sur Jade, Jade retailer Cove, Jade Bead, Botryoidal Jade, Nephrite Jade, Beach Jade, Ocean Jade

This piece of jade from Jade Cove Big Sur is rare, not only because of it's natural bead shape but due to the fact that it formed as a jade bubble on a piece of botryoidal jade, then ocean smoothed for eons in the coatal surf. Jade is approximately 3/4" in size. Strung on a sturdy 1.2mm bronze ball chain 20" long ending with a lobster clasp. Minerals take on a botryoidal habit when they form in an environment containing many nuclei, specks of sand, dust, or other particulate matter to serve as sources of crystal nucleation.

To the Chinese, Jade is the embodiment of the Confucian virtues of courage, wisdom, modesty, justice and compassion. It is the celebrated stone for the 12th anniversay.

Big Sur Jade is 'Nephrite' Jade and occurs in an isolated section along the rocky shore of the Big Sur coastline. Pieces of Jade stone that split off from the cliffs and underlying Jade boulders are churned up by currents then smoothed and shaped by time. Nephrite consists of a microcrystalline interlocking fibrous matrix of calcium, magnesium and iron. Jade is 7 on the Moh scale of hardness.

A little bit about how Jade got there.
Thanks to the subduction action of California's tectonic plates, which lie along the Big Sur coast, wonderful metamorphic rocks were created there millions of years ago; Nephrite Jade being one of them. Big Sur Jade is found in a secluded ocean cove down a steep jagged cliff along Big Sur's rocky coastline. The journey to Jade Cove starts along a narrow dirt trail flanked with coastal scrub retailer, then transcends down a rocky cliff to a small beach. When the tide is high the beach becomes an unsafe cove of rough waves. Jade can be found on occasion when the tumultuous ocean action washes the green stones ashore. Those brave enough will dive for it.

Note: oxiidized metal is more senisitive to lotions, salt water, perfumes etc. which can alter the color of the patina.

All ZenBlu jewelry items arrive gift boxed. We ship USPS insured mail.

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