Nephrite has an 8,000-year-old history, with its first use in ancient China. The Chinese centered their culture on Nephrite and it was their most highly prized and revered possession. For the Chinese, Jade is the "Stone of Heaven" and bridged the gap between the divine and the earthly. History has it that an Emperor once traded five cities for a small jade carving that fit in his hand. The Chinese called this stone "Yu" which could refer to any green stone that possessed the "virtues of Yu". According to Confucious, these virtues included a compact and fine texture, extreme toughness and high hardness, and a smooth and glossy luster. Due to its interlocking fibrous structure, nephrite is the toughest gemstone known. 

COLOR

Nephrite jade is a member of a group of related minerals called amphiboles. Its colors are green, black and a creamy white that the Chinese call "mutton fat". The "mutton fat" is the most desirable type of nephrite jade and is highly sought after by collectors. The green of nephrite is sometimes referred to as a "spinach" green.

TRANSPARENCY

Nephrite is translucent to opaque. It is never transparent or even semi-transparent. The fibrous structure is the reason for nephrite's extreme toughness and also contributes to its opacity.

SOURCES

Nephrite has been mined in China for thousands of years. It is also found in Canada, Russia, and New Zealand. Canada and Russia are the largest suppliers of nephrite in the world market today. New Zealand is also an important source where the Maori refer to it as pounamu. Pounamu is considered a treasure and plays a very important role in Maori culture. Our Nephrite Jade is mined along with the coast range of North America and is world-renowned for being the brightest, hardest, greenest Nephrite Jade ever found. 

TREATMENTS

Carvings made of nephrite jade are often rubbed with wax to improve the surface luster. Other than that, nephrite is seldom treated. It is possible for it to be dyed or impregnated but this is rare. 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Nephrite Jade is an intriguing gemstone that comes in a variety of colors: whites, greens, browns, reds, blues, and even black. The stunning green Nephrite Jade from British Columbia. Canada ranges from lighter apple green to rich emerald green to a near black. For grading purposes the richer the color and depth of translucency the finer the jade. Clarity describes the absence of inclusions and fractures in the Jade. When buying jade, choose the jade that is most appealing. Jade is as individual as you. 

You have no idea how many of us are constantly trying to live up to an image that other people may find important. This is quite exhausting because it costs a lot of energy to constantly regulate yourself. There's a constant fear of doing something that doesn't correspond with the image. The problem with fear is that it suppresses creativity, joy, curiosity, and spontaneity.

There's a saying in Zen that says, "Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are." The less we have to worry about fitting in, the more we are able to stand out. Not to be better than others, but merely as a result of becoming who we truly are.

It's vital to find ourselves a place where we can be who we are, a place where we feel at home. If you don't have such a place, go look for it. If you can't find it, create it. 

Never underestimate the importance of having a place where you can show up as you are; where your whole self is welcome, not just a part of yourself.

ABOUT EMILIA 

My name is Emilia and I am a Syna addict. I grew up poor in a socialist country, which collapsed when I was 10 years old. Until then, I only had essential items in my life and not enough of them. I have never seen anything made abroad. And then, suddenly, it felt like a dam had been breached. Everything was available overnight. But money was scarce. I was highly appreciative of anything I was given (chewing gum, anyone?). I quickly learned about quality. I learned that not everything that's shiny is gold. I learned to save, depriving myself of many temptations in order to get that one piece I knew would bring me joy for a long time. I learned the value of patience. I learned the value of craftsmanship.

That brings me to Syna. Jewelry, unlike clothes, shoes, and bags, requires a totally different skill set. Your margin of error is infinitely smaller. Stones are not as forgiving as fabric and leather. You can't cut corners if you know what's good for you. I was never a jewelry girl. Of course, I had a few pieces, but nothing that really excited me. It is really impossible to understand why you like some things and not others. You react to it on a visceral level. You know it has to be yours. That's how Syna entered my life. Many years and many, many pieces later, it's here to stay. Every piece was created not to make money, but because it had to be made. It brings joy to the creators. And it brings joy to me.

My Syna pieces tell stories of a life together – and it’s a beautiful life. 

CONVERSATION WITH EMILIA

Home

I live in Vancouver, Canada. And soon, moving to Dubai. 

Never Without

I never take off my wedding ring.

Style

I wear the same bracelet and necklace for weeks until I feel it’s time to switch them up or when there’s an event that calls for a certain piece. I prefer small, discreet items for every day. I can rock a statement piece, however, if I feel like it. Rings are a different story – I pick them depending on my mood on that day.

What Jewelry Means

Jewelry makes me happier. It enhances my mood and adds sunshine to the dreariest of days. If I had to choose one way to make myself prettier – it would be jewelry.

Along with my children's drawings, my pieces mark milestones in my life. Sometimes, though, I buy jewelry just because I want to.

Jewelry Gift

My mother’s friend gave me a silver necklace with my Zodiac sign on my 16th birthday. I loved it so much and that started my love affair with jewelry.

Syna First Look

I first saw Syna at Birks in Vancouver. It's a big jewelry store that carries many brands. There was nothing like Syna there. The funny thing is that I didn’t even ask the name of the brand. I was too mesmerized by the stones to care. I liked the simplicity of the design - just the stone in its naked beauty and nothing else. I didn’t buy just one first piece from Syna – I bought four.

Four Baubles rings - moon quartz, yellow citrine, blue topaz, and pavé diamond. That’s all they carried at that time. There was also a huge black Mogul pendant – I still remember its magical allure. I bought these rings simply because they had to be mine. We (the jewels & I) spoke the same language.

I own quite a few of Syna’s Baubles rings, two Mogul drops, and a Chakra pendant. I can’t get enough of the colors. They are so simple, yet so powerful and unapologetic. They announce their presence quietly but assertively. They command attention in a dignified yet cheerful way. The sheer weight of my Mogul drops makes me feel like an armored knight.

Passion

There are three passions in self-adornment for me: jewelry, makeup, and shoes. High heels, red lipstick, and rings – all of these are like a double shot of ristretto for the tired mind. All of them together and each one of them on their own make me feel feminine and beautiful.

Candy Collection

Candy is my love. I don’t have a particular taste in jewelry; when I see a piece, I instantly know whether I like it or not. Candy was love at first sight. The possibilities are vast – you can mix them, you can match them, you can go solo or take a large entourage. As for a favorite – it’s tough to choose, but I’d say the moon quartz and pink diamond pavé Candy pieces.

Syna Gemstones

Syna Gemstones are like a crystal ball - holding promises of laughter and happiness, of which they will be witnesses. They whisper about faraway lands and centuries-long gone. 

Wishlist

There are a few pieces I have my eye on (surprise!) but if I had to choose it would be Syna’s Chakra multicolor bracelet. 

Syna to you 

Syna is like red lipstick. it makes you feel fabulous and powerful. A talisman that brings good luck.

We travel the world to find ourselves, but aren't we just running away from ourselves? Carl Jung once wrote, "One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious."

It's easy to look in the mirror and see our bright side. It's easy to acknowledge our talents and gifts. It's much harder to shine a light on the things we don't want to see. The failures, the jealousy, the fear, the hatred. Or the hurt little child, hiding deep within ourselves. 

To see ourselves the way we are is one of the most difficult things to do. It requires radical honesty and courage. If we are able to look at our dark side without judgment, we may be able to accept ourselves as we are. If we no longer see our dark side as an enemy, we may befriend it. When we bring light to darkness, the darkness dissolves and our light will shine even brighter.