– The history of jade –

According to scientists, the history of jade begins in South America were jade was used to decorate the attributes of tribal leaders and for jewellery. In graves detected during archaeological excavations jade products were found and their age is dated 4.500 B. C. However, regardless of this fact, the journey of jade to Europe was delayed. It is considered that jade was firstly taken to Europe by Spanish colonists in the era of great geographic discoveries, only in 15th-16th century. In China, meanwhile, this stone was widely used to decorate the crowns of emperors and for jewellery.

Chinese philosopher Confucius was the first to describe the features of jade and he emphasized the special meaning of this stone to the culture of the state. The name “Imperial Stone” originates from Asia. However, it shall be emphasized that until the beginning of the 20th century jade was used for jewellery only. M. Chrolenko, Russian scientist and the founder of the company «Хакасинтерсервис» has investigated chemical and physical features of jade in Hong Kong Institute of Gemology for many years and was the first to adapt and investigate positive features of this stone that are revealed by heating it up and steaming it (pouring over with water).

He described those facts in his book “The World of Jade”. According to the scientist and the entrepreneur, the research conducted by M. Chrolenko revealed that Finnish or Swedish basalt that had been widely used in saunas before disintegrates within 6 months while jade is considered to be durable. This is determined by its particular physical and chemical features: jade is capable of bearing very high temperatures and although it is becoming heated around 20 per cent longer compared to other stones, it gives away temperature to environment gradually and therefore maintains the temperature in sauna for a longer time. In the heat of 100 °C (212 °F) degrees the stone emits silicic acid that is of special importance to human health. Research carried out by Tomsk Institute revealed that the interaction between jade and water is ideal.

– Jade –

Jade is rare enough and precious stone. In the market there are a lot of natural persons and companies offering poor-quality or fake jades. Be careful when choosing the provider of jade production. We are official representatives of Russian company “Хакасинтерсервис”. Jade offered by this company is recognized as the best jade in the Russian market; therefore, we guarantee the quality of the production.

This sauna stone is rather rare and precious and it is found in eight countries but excavated only in three of them (Russia, Guatemala and Myanmar). Only these three countries produce high-quality jade. Jade found in other locations, such as USA (California), Japan, Switzerland or CIS countries is of poor quality; therefore, it is not excavated.

Jade is valued for its therapeutic properties, due to its versatility (it can be used very widely, for example, in cases of health problems, for jewellery, construction of various furnaces, decoration of walls or production of benches) and due to its durability and fire-resistance (jade is durable; therefore, it will serve you for at least 5 years).

Jade is often confused with the stone of Nephrite. In Chinese, both stones are usually referred to as the single word Jiu and also in the Western literature they are commonly referred to as the single word Jade.

Due to its chemical composition jade has the following features:
it strengthens the nervous system, softens the walls of blood cells, normalizes blood pressure, strengthens the male potency and improves activities of kidneys and urethra. In the composition of jade there are no harmful elements which are usually found in other stones used in saunas.

Jade has great significance for these essential things in saunas: steam quantity, stem quality, sauna heating time and maintenance of sauna temperature. Stone characteristics and impurities have great influence on human health and well-being in the sauna. Jade is not of volcanic origin but a semi-precious stone (also known as Emperor’s Stone) and it has unique features.

During the steaming process jade emits silicic acid that is very useful for the human body. From the ancient times silicic acid is considered to be essential microelement that ensures well-being, health and beauty of a person. Human body does not produce this material itself; therefore, it is very important to receive this microelement from somewhere else. We cannot find pure silicic acid compounds in nature, as it is found in compounds with oxygen only. Steaming of jade (pouring heated stones over with water in sauna) emits silicic acid to environment. Jade saunas, as a great tool to clean breath trails and lungs, are especially recommended for the metropolitan population who breathes smog every day. A new-born has 7 g of this microelement in its body but over years the quantity of silicon naturally decreases in a human body. Imperial Stone sauna is a perfect way to return silicic acid to the body.

NB: It is important to mention that in order to maintain ultimate features of jade in steaming processes of stones we do not recommend using high concentration essential oils or any other chemical mixtures.

Hot water is needed to extract steam. The faster the water poured on it is evaporated, the sooner the steam gets hot. The better quality of the steam is, the more pleasant senses are given to a person by the steam.

“Soft” (sometimes referred to as “dry”) steam gives pleasant senses – a man feels like covered by a mild heat wave. In the opposite, it is just a feeling of warm humidity which makes breathing difficult. After such sauna people usually want fresh air immediately.

“Soft” steam depends on three factors – heat of stones, temperature of steam premises and relative humidity in air. The stones need to be heated (up to 300º and more), the temperature of the steam room (by the ceiling) should not exceed 60 °C (140 °F) – 65 °C (149 °F) degrees and humidity should be optimal to human breathing, i. e. by the bedding it should be around 60 per cent.

The main feature of jade is thermal conductivity. This stone is becoming heated around 20 per cent longer compared with other sauna stones but keeps temperature longer and gives it away to environment gradually.

Its second feature is heat capacity. It is possible to verify by pouring the same amount of water on different types of stones (jade and gabbro-diabase or soapstone), provided that the stones are of the same size and form. Jade will cool at least, as it keeps more heat inside. Therefore, less water is required to provide steam in saunas.

People who used simple stones in saunas for a long time, assure that steam from a jade is much better and more enjoyable. The stone heats up to the required temperature faster than the steam room is overheated.

1. In contrast to any other sauna stones, jade will serve you for at least 5 years. It is absolutely safe to use it in saunas, as it has very high firmness and durability indicators.

2. Has no reaction to acids and purifies air.

3. Jade is not of volcanic origin. It is a semi-precious stone whose chemical and physical features determine that the stone is extremely resistant to high temperatures and in interaction with water (in temperature of 100 °C (212 °F) degrees) it emits silicic acid that has analgesic, anti-toxic and anti-inflammatory effects.

4. Jade keeps the heat for a longer time and gives it away gradually.

5. The heated stone releases a very light, soft and refreshing steam that does not impede respiration and does not burn the body.

6. Scientific research has proven that jade has special healing properties, as it:

• Normalizes blood pressure

• Strengthens and improves activities of the nervous system

• Cleans the kidneys and improves the function of the urethra

• Improves male potency

• Strengthens blood vessel walls

• Due to emitted silicic acid it cleans lungs and helps to maintain the lost quantities of silicic acid in a body that is necessary for normal functioning of a body.

7. Jade is a very clean stone containing the least harmful impurities (sulphur, phosphorus compounds) from all stones that are used in saunas. Moreover, it contains many chemical elements that are useful for a human body. Its density is 3.43 g/cm3, crushing strength is 3640 – 9320 cm2, melting point is 1040 °C (1904 °F) – 1060 °C (1940 °F) and water absorption is 0.3 – 0.5%.

8. Rare and beautiful, of green or greyish colour. Its sources are limited worldwide, it is extracted manually and is treated with especially hard minerals.

Uniqueness and advantages of jade >

Sources:

1. Hong Kong Institute of Gemology, Centre of Gemology, Moscow State University, Rosgeolfond.
2. M. Chrolenko “The World of Jade”, «Хакасинтерсервис», Moscow, 2008
3. Roger Keverne, “Jade”, New York, 1991.