MINERALOGY: THE BEAUTY OF JADE
'Jade is the most sumptuous jewel against a womans's flesh'
- Pearl Buck
April, the earth month, we celebrates our planet's beauty and the importance of sustainable living.
Jade, Its durability, unlike many other materials, withstands the test of time, reminds us of the lasting impact of sustainable practices, how important it is to live in harmony with nature and using its resources responsibly.
By choosing to use and celebrate the use of natural stone tools such as Jade, especially on Earth Day, we can highlight a sustainable practice that respects our planet’s resources, encourages the revival and preservation of traditional skills, and reduces our ecological footprint. This serves as both a celebration of our planet’s past and a hopeful step towards a sustainable future.
Tracing the Legacy
The Chinese have a long history of calling green rocks, jade or "Yu" in mandarin. It symbolizes beauty, nobility, wealth and power, and immortality in Chinese culture.
In ancient China, where it was regarded as the "imperial gem" and associated with royalty and nobility. Its durability and toughness made it highly prized for crafting exquisite jewelry, ceremonial artifacts, and even weaponry.
It held a significance unparalleled to even gold due to its rarity and extraction difficulty. Men adorned jade brooches to signify their status, indirectly reflecting their wealth. Women of influence wore jade ornaments, used jade combs, and employed jade rollers for skincare, as well as jade scraping tools.
During that time, the traditional Chinese physiognomy believed that every flaw on the face reflected different aspects of a person's health and destiny. By reducing the appearance of wrinkles or flaws on their faces, it’s believed they could not only improve their appearance but also alter their health and perhaps even change their destiny.
In this context, It’s easy to see how these anti-aging techniques were highly valued and why effective beauty tools like jade rollers became so precious.
Jade and Chi
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Chi, or energy, is revered as the essence of vitality, and its harmonious flow is thought to manifest in radiant skin.
Jade is believed to possessed healing properties to enhance Chi and blood circulation while balancing the yin and yang energies within.
Jade is naturally cool to the touch, It's ability to retain temperature, which can enhance its cooling effect when applied to the skin, make it particularly beneficial for calming irritated or sensitive skin, making it a popular choice for facial massage tools like jade rollers and gua sha stones.
The combination of traditional beliefs, perceived therapeutic benefits, and aesthetic appeal has contributed to the enduring popularity of jade tools in skincare practices across different cultures and time periods.
The Treasure Four
Among the many varieties of jade, four reign supreme in Chinese tradition, known as the "Four Treasures." These are Hetian Jade (和田玉), Xiuyan Jade (岫岩玉), Dushan Jade (独山玉), and Longshan Jade (龙山玉).
Hetian Jade (和田玉)- Highly esteemed and comes from the Hetian region (also known as Hotan or Khotan) in Xinjiang, China. It's known for its exquisite white and creamy colors and is often considered the finest quality of jade.
- Prized by ancient Chinese emperors and nobility, Hetian Jade is often used in high-end jewelry, sculptures, and other decorative items.
- Comes from the Dushan Mountain area in southern China. Dushan Jade captivates with its vibrant colors and unique textures.
- It’s durability and resistance to wear make it a favored material for crafting ritual objects and ceremonial implements.
- Named after the Longshan Mountain region in Shandong Province, China. It is characterized by its deep green color and glossy appearance.
- Longshan Jade has been used for centuries in China to create ceremonial objects, amulets, and burial artifacts.
- Predominantly mined in the northeastern province of Liaoning in China. Xiuyan jade is characterized by its green color and is highly valued for its translucency and unique patterns.
- Believed to possess healing properties, it's fashioned into massage tools like gua sha and rollers, aiding in circulation and promoting vitality.
The four champions, each one possesses distinct traits and features, Yet, Xiuyan Jade has a hidden edge when it comes to beauty. Why has it remained a top choice for centuries, even today? What sets it apart? What makes it so special?
Xiuyan Jade
A rare treasure, XiuYan Jade, also known as New Veins Jade or Serpentine Jade, originates from Xinjiang, China. It's revered for its vibrant green color and unique patterns formed by mineral veins. Containing over 30 beneficial trace elements such as selenium, zinc, nickel, cobalt, manganese, magnesium, calcium, and more, essential for the human body.
These elements emit activation waves that resonate with human cells, enhancing cellular vitality, promoting blood circulation, boosting metabolism, and aiding in the elimination of toxins when used in facial massage tools.
It also held a unique energy profile in traditional Chinese medicine. It is said to possess cooling properties that help soothe inflammation and calm the skin. This makes it particularly suitable for sensitive or acne-prone skin types.
Moreover, the smooth texture of Xin Yan Jade allows for gentle yet effective massage, promoting lymphatic drainage and helping to release tension in facial muscles. This can contribute to a more youthful appearance and a healthy, glowing complexion over time.
The main difference between Xin Yan Jade and other types of jade lies in their specific mineral compositions and colors. Different types of jade may vary in their hardness, color, and texture, which can affect their suitability for use in beauty tools.
GingerChi authentic Jade tools
Our Jade products are made of high-quality Grade A Xiu Yan Jade. Each individual tool is unique in color, crafted by local artisans.
Every Jade tool comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, certified by the Liaoning Province Examination center for Gem.
GingerChi’s Jade Gua Sha Tool
Originating from traditional Chinese medicine, Gua Sha involves using a smooth jade tool to gently scrape the skin, stimulating lymphatic drainage and promoting detoxification. This centuries-old practice not only enhances circulation but also helps sculpt and tone the facial contours, revealing a more radiant complexion.
Our Jade Gua Sha comfortably fits in the hand and conforms to the body's natural curves. The design allows for better control and precision during use, making it ideal for facial gua sha, it is also incorporated in GingerChi’s signature Heaven & Earth Gua Sha Faical Natural Face Lift, beloved by our customers.
GingerChi introduced the Jade Roller to the beauty world as far back as 2014. We were one of the first and soon everyone followed suit. It became a staple in the beauty industry.
Perhaps one of the most iconic jade beauty tools, the jade roller has been used for centuries in Chinese skincare routines. Rolling the cool jade stone over the face helps to reduce puffiness, tighten pores, and increase circulation, resulting in a more youthful and glowing complexion.
Our Chi Jade Mask crafted in intricate designs, offer a luxurious indulgence for the skin, taking the self-care to the next level. It's an excellent addition to any skincare routine.
By gently contouring to the face, a jade mask helps to reduce tension, promote relaxation, and improve circulation, The natural properties of jade help to balance the skin's moisture levels and soothe irritation, making it suitable for all skin types.
Jade Comb for Scalp Massage Therapy
Beyond facial care, jade combs have been treasured for their ability to promote healthy hair growth and scalp circulation. this
Our Jade Comb is designed specifically for massaging the scalp to help stimulate meridians for relaxation, reducing fatigue and stimulate hair rejuvenation.
Apply few drops of Ginger Rosemary Hair & Scalp Oil on to you scalp, combing through your hair with our Jade Comb for Scalp Massage Therapy, together, our vitamin rich oil and uplifting Jade comb ensure a glossy coat and healthy, relaxed scalp. It’s both soothing and nourishing at the same time.
Jade Mini Mushroom Massage Disc
Lesser-known but equally intriguing. Our adorable little disc shaped like a mushroom, is designed to provide more targeted massage and acupressure therapy, allowing for deeper tissue penetration and more precise treatment of specific acupuncture points and meridians, promoting relaxation, stress relief, and improved Chi flow.
By gently massaging these points with jade mushroom, tension is released, and vitality is restored.
Benefits of Jade Beauty Tools:
- Promotes circulation and lymphatic drainage
- Reduces puffiness and inflammation
- Stimulates collagen production
- Enhances absorption of skincare products
- Soothes and rejuvenates the skin
- Provides a calming and grounding experience
Connecting with Earth Day
As we celebrate Earth Day and reflect on our connection to the natural world, embracing skincare tools crafted from authentic jade becomes all the more meaningful.
By sourcing jade from reputable artisans and vendors, we ensure that our beauty rituals are imbued with the true essence of this precious gemstone, preserving its legacy for generations to come.
Make every day Earth Day!
