These beautifully carved antiqued jade beads offer large focal semiprecious beads with exotic appeal! In shades of dark greens, orange-rust, and brown, these gemstone beads are most likely carved from bowenite, a serpentine that is similar to nephrite jade. Usually, the specific gravity of these two stones must be tested to tell them apart. The Maori people of New Zealand use both bowenite and nephrite jade in their tools, weapons, and ornaments. In China, bowenite is mined in the Soochow region, hence the name Soo Chow jade, by which this stone is also known. The earthy colors in our antiqued jade beads are achieved with dye.
