Is this real jade or dyed / fake?

All Yuora pieces use natural Grade A nephrite jade — untreated, undyed, and free from chemical enhancement. Each piece may show slight color variation, which is a sign of authenticity, not a defect. Perfectly uniform green color is usually a red flag for dyed jade.

Will the color fade over time?

Grade A nephrite does not fade. Many wearers notice the stone develops a deeper, richer luster over years of skin contact, often called nourishing the jade. Only dyed Grade C jade fades, which is why Yuora does not use it.

Is this nephrite or jadeite?

Yuora uses natural Hetian nephrite jade, sourced from Xinjiang, China. All product listings clearly state the jade type. If a listing says nephrite, it is nephrite.

Should I wear it on my left or right wrist?

In Chinese tradition, the left wrist is for receiving energy, luck, protection, and positive chi. The right wrist is for giving energy outward. Most people wear jade bracelets on the left for this reason, but you can wear it wherever it feels right for you.

Does it still work if I don't believe in it?

Many wearers treat jade as a daily intention reminder rather than a supernatural object. It can serve as a physical anchor to values like patience, protection, and forward momentum. You do not need to believe in feng shui for it to be meaningful or beautiful.

Can I gift this to someone not born in the Horse year?

Yes. Zodiac jade pieces can be gifted to anyone. The zodiac animal represents the qualities you are wishing upon the recipient, such as strength, ambition, and luck, not a restriction on who may wear it.

Can I shower or swim with it?

The jade itself is water-resistant, but the red cord is not. Prolonged water exposure can weaken the string fibers and may cause fraying or snapping over time. Remove before showering, swimming, or washing dishes. The jade stone can be gently cleaned with a damp cloth.

How long does the red string last?

With proper care, such as avoiding water, chemicals, and rough storage, the red cord typically lasts 12 to 18 months of daily wear. In Chinese tradition, a worn or broken string is not bad luck. The jade pendant can always be re-strung.

Will it fit my wrist / neck?

All Yuora bracelets and necklaces use adjustable sliding knot closures, fitting most wrist sizes from approximately 5 inches to 8.5 inches and neck sizes up to 20 inches. If you have a specific measurement concern, contact Yuora before ordering.

Nephrite vs Jadeite — What's the Difference?

Nephrite vs Jadeite: What's the Difference — and Which One Should You Buy?

Here's something most jewelry shoppers don't know: "jade" isn't a single mineral. It's a name shared by two completely different stones — nephrite and jadeite — that have different compositions, properties, origins, and price points.

Knowing the difference matters when you're buying, because the marketing around jade is notoriously loose. Here's what you need to know.

The Short Version

Nephrite is the traditional jade of Chinese culture — denser, tougher, and historically more significant. Jadeite is rarer, often more expensive, and prized for its vivid color range. Both are real jade. Neither is better in absolute terms — they serve different purposes and aesthetics.

What Is Nephrite?

Nephrite is a calcium magnesium silicate mineral, part of the amphibole group. It's characterized by a fibrous, interlocking crystal structure that makes it extraordinarily tough — meaning it resists breaking and chipping better than most gemstones, including jadeite.

Nephrite's color range includes:

• Celadon and pale green

• Rich spinach green

• Creamy white (called 'mutton fat' jade — the most prized in Chinese tradition)

• Black, gray, and brownish-green tones

The finest nephrite in the world comes from the Hetian region of Xinjiang, China — and has for over 5,000 years. It was the jade of Chinese emperors, the material of imperial seals and burial suits, and the stone most associated with Confucian virtues: purity, wisdom, compassion, and courage.

What Is Jadeite?

Jadeite is a sodium aluminum silicate mineral, part of the pyroxene group. It's harder than nephrite on the Mohs scale (6.5–7 vs nephrite's 6–6.5) but more brittle — meaning it can chip with impact more easily.

Jadeite is prized for its:

• Vivid color range — including the highly valued "Imperial Green" (a pure, vivid emerald green)

• Translucency — high-quality jadeite can be semi-transparent with a glowing interior

• Rarity — fine jadeite is rarer than fine nephrite, driving its high market value

Most jadeite comes from Myanmar (Burma), and the finest Burmese jadeite is among the most expensive gemstones in the world. Top-quality "Imperial Jade" pieces have sold at auction for millions of dollars.

Jadeite became prominent in Chinese jewelry culture during the Qing Dynasty (18th–19th century), when trade routes from Burma opened. Before that, virtually all Chinese jade was nephrite.

Side by Side: Key Differences

Mineral family — Nephrite: Amphibole (calcium magnesium silicate) | Jadeite: Pyroxene (sodium aluminum silicate)

Toughness — Nephrite: Exceptional (fibrous structure resists breaking) | Jadeite: High hardness but more brittle

Color range — Nephrite: Greens, white, black, gray | Jadeite: Full spectrum including vivid Imperial Green

Origin — Nephrite: Primarily Hetian/Xinjiang, China; also NZ, Canada | Jadeite: Primarily Myanmar (Burma)

Cultural history — Nephrite: 5,000+ years in Chinese culture | Jadeite: Prominent since 18th century Qing Dynasty

Price — Nephrite: Wide range; Hetian commands premium | Jadeite: Wide range; Imperial Green commands highest prices

Daily wear — Nephrite: Excellent toughness for everyday use | Jadeite: Good, but more prone to chipping on impact

Which One Does Yuora Use — and Why?

All Yuora pieces are made with natural Hetian nephrite jade. This isn't a compromise — it's a deliberate choice rooted in three things:

• Cultural authenticity: Nephrite is the jade of Chinese tradition — the stone that has carried the symbolism of protection, fortune, and virtue for millennia. When a piece is meant to connect to that tradition, nephrite is the correct stone.

• Everyday wearability: Nephrite's exceptional toughness makes it ideal for daily wear jewelry. It handles bumps, regular skin contact, and movement better than most gemstones.

• Transparency: We use Hetian nephrite specifically because we can describe it precisely and accurately. "Natural Hetian nephrite jade" is a specific, verifiable claim — not vague marketing language like "genuine jade" or "natural stone."

We clearly state nephrite on every product listing so you always know exactly what you're buying.

Red Flags When Buying Jade (Either Type)

Whether you're buying nephrite or jadeite, these are the warning signs of treated or fake jade:

• Grade B or C jade: Bleached, polymer-filled, or dyed stones sold without disclosure. Always ask.

• "Jade" that's actually serpentine, aventurine, or glass: Common substitutes that are worth a fraction of real jade.

• Vague sourcing: Listings that say "jade" or "green stone" without specifying nephrite or jadeite.

• Perfectly uniform color: Real jade has natural variation. Identical color throughout is a red flag for dye.

• Very low prices for supposedly high-grade pieces: Fine Grade A Hetian nephrite has real material cost. Suspiciously cheap "natural jade" usually isn't.

Final Thoughts

The nephrite vs jadeite distinction isn't just trivia — it affects what you're buying, how it should be priced, and what cultural meaning it carries.

For jewelry rooted in Chinese tradition, nephrite — especially Hetian nephrite — is the historically correct and culturally resonant choice. For vivid color and translucency in a collector piece, jadeite is in a class of its own.

Yuora's focus is jade that means something, made correctly. That means Hetian nephrite, Grade A, described honestly — so you can wear it with confidence.