Thinking about expensive minerals brings to mind ruby, sapphire, gold, silver, or diamonds, right? Well, there are minerals even more expensive per carat, even more than platinum or palladium. It’s called jadeite, and it’s an intense green. Its price can reach hundreds of dollars, even millions, per carat, and almost all of it comes from one country: Myanmar.
It’s rare, it’s beautiful, and it carries a huge cultural weight that makes it one of the most coveted gems in the world. Want to know why this mineral is so special?
What is jadeite and why is it so valuable?
Jadeite is a mineral that belongs to the pyroxene group. It is made of sodium and aluminum silicate and is one of the two types that make up jade (the other is nephrite, which is much more common and less expensive).
But wait, what makes it really special and valuable is its green color. Intense, known as imperial jade… And especially hard to find. Why? Because its formation requires very specific geological conditions: high pressure and low temperatures, which greatly limit the places in the world where it can form.
An almost exclusive origin
Around 70% of all jadeite in the world is extracted in Myanmar, a Southeast Asian country located between Thailand and Laos. This country has maintained an almost monopolistic production of this gem for decades, which has increased its value both in international markets and within the Asian continent.
Although there are other countries with jadeite deposits, like Guatemala (famous for its blue jade), Japan, Mexico, Russia, or even the United States (in California), none of them have the same quality or quantity as Myanmar.
Also, extraction in these places is difficult due to mountainous geography and limited access to mining areas.
A gem with history, power, and mysticism
Jadeite is not only valuable for its rarity and composition, but also for the deep symbolic and spiritual meaning it has had in several cultures.
In ancient China, jadeite was much more than a precious stone. It was considered a sacred material, associated with spiritual immortality, and that’s why it was very common for emperors to be buried with jadeite objects or ornaments, as it was believed this stone protected the soul after death and guaranteed a safe journey to the afterlife.
But it’s also an important mineral in Mayan culture. Jadeite had a higher status than gold. It was a symbol of eternal life, fertility, and connection with the gods. During funeral rituals, jade masks were placed on the faces of the deceased as a sign of hope and breath of life for the beyond.
More than luxury: a talisman
Today, this mineral is considered one of the most powerful in the world (in esoteric terms) to attract balance, harmony, and good fortune. It’s believed to act as a protective shield against negative energies and to help purify the aura. Many people use it to calm the mind, relieve stress, and support decision-making from a calmer place.
It’s also said to have healing properties, especially related to the heart, both physically and emotionally. A true talisman for those who own it!
Why don’t we hear more about it?
The reason jadeite is not as well-known as gold or diamonds has to do with its limited availability and the fact that its largest market is concentrated in Asia. Also, its extraction and trade are surrounded by a certain level of opacity and political control in Myanmar (which is not exactly going through its best democratic moment, let’s put it that way), which makes its massive presence in the global market more difficult.
An expensive mineral, very exclusive, and very symbolic for Asian populations. Its color and rarity make it a real treasure for gem collectors. A treasure that not many people can hold in their hands. Legend and mysticism, its story will live on, wrapped among the mountains!