Jade is an ornamental stone, that is applied to two different rocks that are made up of different silicate minerals: nephrite jade and jadeitite. Nephrite can be found in a creamy white form as well as in a variety of green colors, whereas jadeitite shows more color variations, including dazzling blue, lavender-mauve, violet, emerald-green, orange, yellow, pink, brown, and black colors.

The English word "jade" is derived from the Spanish term PIEDRA DE IJADA (first recorded in 1565) or "loin stone", from its reputed efficacy in curing ailments of the loins and kidneys. "Nephrite" is derived from LAPIS NEPHRITICUS, the Latin version of the Spanish PIEDRA DE IJADA.

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. Only in the 19th century it was determined that "jade" was in fact two different materials. Among the earliest known jade artifacts excavated from prehistoric sites are simple ornaments such as rounded beads, buttons, and tubular jades. Additionally, jade was used for axe heads, knives, and other weapons. As metal-working technologies became available, the beauty of jade made it valuable for ornaments and decorative objects.

Of the two, jadeite is rarer, documented in fewer than 12 places worldwide. Translucent emerald-green jadeitite is the most prized variety, both now and historically. As "quetzal" jade, bright green jadeitite from Guatemala was treasured by Mesoamerican cultures, and as "kingfisher" jade, vivid green rocks from Burma became the preferred stone of post-1800 Chinese imperial scholars and rulers. Burma (Myanmar) and Guatemala are the principal sources of modern gem jadeitite, and Canada of modern lapidary nephrite. Nephrite jade was used mostly in pre-1800 China as well as in New Zealand, the Pacific Coast and Atlantic Coasts of North America, Neolithic Europe, and south-east Asia. In addition to Mesoamerica, jadeitite was used by Neolithic Japanese and European cultures.

Jade is the official gemstone of British Columbia, Canada, where it is found in large deposits in the Lillooet and Cassiar regions. It is also the official gemstone of the state of Alaska, found particularly in the Kobuk area. A two ton block of jade sits outside the Anchorage Visitor's Center in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, mined from near Kobuk and donated to the city as a showpiece.

When we say the words, American Indian beadwork, we immediately imagine colorful seed bead embroidery on buckskin shirts and dresses, bandoleer bags and moccasins, necklaces and amulets, or loom-beaded belts. The techniques used for beadwork are pretty simple and have not changed for centuries, and the most common techniques are bead embroidery, loomwork and beadnetting. Many tribal designs are unique and easily recognizable. But do we understand the meaning of the intricate patterns which Indian people use in their creations?

         Read the article about American Indian beadwork written
         by Tatiana Van Iten on MyLovelyBeads.com in September.

Meanwhile we would like to introduce the author of this article. Tatiana Van Iten, American beadwork designer and First Prize Winner of many beading competitions, was born and raised in Russia, where she graduated from the Leningrad State University with a Master of Arts degree in photojournalism. Twenty two years ago she married an American citizen and moved to the United States. Tatiana learned how to bead from her grandmother, at the age of six (!!!), and has been beading ever since then. She is very fond of native Americans' beadwork and created a lot of art items in this style.

In general, beadwork is the art or craft of attaching beads to one another or to cloth using a needle and thread. Most beadwork takes the form of jewelry or other personal adornment, but beads are also used in wall hangings and sculpture. Some designers even create decorations like small trees, flowers, and animals using beads.

We would like you to meet two designers specializing in beaded trees. Marina Ne lives in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with her husband and her daughter. Marina's apartment in Tashkent is like a garden even in winter: bunches of flowers and trees made from beads are everywhere! Once she decided to make fun and created a beaded "money-tree". Isn't it funny?

Olga Goretskaya is a business analyst, she lives in Minsk, Belorussia. A few years ago she made a beaded tree for the good of her soul, she liked what she did, and since then she created the whole collection of such sculptures. Olga developes the entire compositions using seed beads, adding to the trees beaded critters, small birds, and flowers.

If you are interested in Marina Ne's or Olga Goretskaya's beadwork, please contact us at any time at info@mylovelybeads.com.

5th Annual Alexandria Festival of the Arts

September 8-9, 2007
         Saturday 10 am - 7 pm
         Sunday 10 am - 5 pm
King Street between Union & Washington sts., Alexandria, VA

Alexandria Festival of the Arts is voted one of the top 100 art festivals in the country by Sunshine Artist magazine. More than $15 million in art will be on display! More than 200 juried artists display and sell fine art ranging from paintings, sculpture, prints and photography to pottery, glass, jewelry and ceramics. The show is set up along King Street in Old Town Alexandria, a quaint, historic town with many different shops, restaurants and more. The show stretches all the way down the street to the Potomac River.

12th Annual Art on the Avenue Festival

Saturday October 6th, 2007 10 am - 6 pm
Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA

12th Annual Multi-Cultural Arts, Crafts & Music Festival, Art on the Avenue celebrates community diversity though the arts in the Potomac West area of Alexandria, Virginia.