Jade

There is more information available on this subject at Jade on the English Wikipedia.

Jade is applied to two different rocks that are made up of different silicate minerals. Nephrite jade consists of the calcium- and magnesium-rich amphibole mineral actinolite (aggregates of which also make up one form of asbestos). The rock called jadeitite consists almost entirely of jadeite, a sodium- and aluminum-rich pyroxene. The trade name Jadite is sometimes applied to translucent/opaque green glass.

Nephrite and jadeite were used by people from the prehistoric for similar purposes. Both are about the same hardness as quartz, and they are exceptionally tough. They are beautifully colored and can be delicately shaped.

Polished jade represents the Ages of Reconciliation.