There's a test my mother taught me when I was little. You take a piece of jade, rest it against your cheek, and wait. If it's cold — really cold, not the quick cold of glass — and takes a few seconds to warm up, you're on the right track. Then you tap it with your fingernail: authentic nephrite sounds like a small bell, clear and clean. Dyed glass sounds hollow.
I repeat that gesture every time I select a piece for our jade shop in Zaragoza. And behind that habit lie three generations, two continents, and a stone that has accompanied humanity for over 5,000 years.
From China to Zaragoza: a three-generation journey
My grandmother's forgotten jade
My grandmother left China searching for what every emigrant searches for: something better for her family. She arrived in Spain without speaking the language, with more determination than luggage. Jade was left behind, in the memories of her village, as something that belonged to another life.
My mother rediscovers the tradition
It was my mother who brought it back. Born in China but raised here, she grew up between two worlds without fully fitting into either. One summer she went back to visit family and someone slipped a nephrite bangle onto her wrist. She says she felt something hard to explain — not esoteric, but physical: the right weight, the smooth touch, that temperature that seems to have memory. From then on, she began to study.
She spent years learning to tell natural jade from imitations. She visited workshops, spoke with gemologists, studied the standards of the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and the classification of the International Gem Society. What my grandmother left behind as part of her past, my mother turned into a craft.
I grew up watching her work. She taught me to hold pieces against the light to see translucency, to tell nephrite from jadeite by its luster (waxy versus vitreous), to distrust prices that were too good. And one day I looked around and noticed something obvious: in all of Spain, there wasn't a single shop specializing in authentic jade.
Why didn't a jade jewelry store exist in Spain?
In China, jade has been woven into the culture for millennia. In Mesoamerica, the Maya and other pre-Hispanic cultures valued it more than gold. But in Western Europe, and especially in Spain, jade has always been an unfamiliar stone. Most of what's sold at flea markets and souvenir shops is dyed quartz, glass, or serpentine — minerals that resemble jade but aren't.
We saw a real opportunity there: to bring authentic jade to Zaragoza and become the first jade jewelry store in Spain. Today, Wendy Jewellery is the reference point for buying authentic jade in Spain.
What jade is (and what it isn't)
Jadeite vs. nephrite: key differences
Jade is actually two different minerals: jadeite and nephrite. Both are called jade, but they have different chemical compositions. Jadeite is a pyroxene (a sodium and aluminum silicate), harder (6.5–7 Mohs) and with more vivid colors — the famous "imperial green" can reach millions at auction. Nephrite is an amphibole (a calcium and magnesium silicate), slightly less hard (6–6.5 Mohs) but extraordinarily tough thanks to its interlocking fibrous structure.
According to the GIA, nephrite is the historically more widespread variety of jade and the one that has defined the Chinese jewelry tradition for millennia. It's the one we primarily work with at Wendy Jewellery: natural, untreated, Grade A nephrite.
- Composition: Jadeite — sodium and aluminum pyroxene; Nephrite — calcium and magnesium amphibole
- Mohs hardness: Jadeite — 6.5–7; Nephrite — 6–6.5
- Luster: Jadeite — vitreous to greasy; Nephrite — waxy to greasy
- Main colors: Jadeite — imperial green, lavender, red, white; Nephrite — dark green, creamy white, brown, black
- Relative price: Jadeite — high to very high (investment); Nephrite — moderate (everyday wear)
Want to know more about the differences? We've prepared a complete guide to jade vs. jadeite.
The most common imitations
Not everything that looks like jade is jade. The most frequent imitations we see are green aventurine quartz, serpentine, prehnite, chrysoprase, and, of course, dyed glass and plastic. A gemological certificate is the most reliable way to confirm authenticity. If you want to learn how to spot them, read our guide to telling if jade is real.
Our collection: jade jewelry for everyday wear
We don't sell display-case jade. Each piece is designed to be worn: to work, to a dinner, on a Saturday morning. Nephrite, with a hardness of 6–6.5 Mohs, holds up to daily use without issue.
Natural jade necklaces
From simple cabochon pendants to designs with 925 silver or 18k gold chains. Each nephrite pendant is selected for its translucency and uniform color.
Jade bracelets and bangles
Traditional single-piece hand-carved bangles and bracelets with faceted nephrite beads. The jade bangle is one of the most symbolic pieces in Chinese jewelry.
Jade earrings
Classic and contemporary designs, light enough for daily wear. Mounted in 925 silver and 18k gold.
Jade rings
Cabochons set in gold or silver mounts, unique pieces that combine artisanal tradition with contemporary design.
All pieces are natural jade with no chemical treatment. No dyes, no resins, no polymers.
The cultural meaning of jade
The five Confucian virtues
In Chinese culture, jade isn't just a beautiful stone. It represents the five Confucian virtues: benevolence (for its soft luster), righteousness (for its translucency), wisdom (for its clear sound), courage (for its hardness), and purity (for its flawless texture). Parents give jade to their children as protection; brides wear it on their wedding day. It's a stone meant to be passed down, gaining sentimental value with each generation.
If you're interested in the history and symbolism, we've written a guide on the meaning of jade. And if you already own a piece and want to care for it properly, here's our jade cleaning and maintenance guide.
Why choose Wendy Jewellery in Zaragoza
We're a small, family-run shop in the center of Zaragoza. We're not a chain or a marketplace. When you buy here, you speak with us directly.
Authenticity guarantee
Authentic jade, always. Natural, Grade A, untreated nephrite. We buy directly from verified suppliers in Myanmar, China, and Canada, controlling origin and quality before any piece reaches the shop.
Three generations of experience
My mother has spent years studying jade and gemology. It shows in every piece we select and in every question you ask us.
Personalized service
Ask us anything. About quality, about care, about which piece works best as a gift. Write to us or visit us in Zaragoza.
Frequently asked questions about authentic jade
How do I know if a piece of jade is authentic?
Real jade feels cold to the touch and warms slowly with body contact, has a noticeable weight (density 2.9–3.5 g/cm³), and produces a clear sound when tapped gently. The most common imitations are dyed quartz, glass, and serpentine. A gemological certificate is the most reliable way to confirm authenticity. Read our complete guide to jade authenticity.
What's the difference between jadeite and nephrite?
They are two different minerals, both called jade. Jadeite is harder and can reach very intense colors (imperial green, lavender). Nephrite has a fibrous structure that makes it extraordinarily resistant and has been the central stone of Chinese jewelry tradition. More details in our jade vs. jadeite guide.
Does jade need special care?
Jade is durable, but it's best to avoid hard knocks, chemicals, and sudden temperature changes. Clean it with lukewarm water and a soft cloth. See our jade care guide.
Where can I buy authentic jade in Spain?
Wendy Jewellery is the first jewelry store specializing in authentic jade in Spain. We're located in Zaragoza, Aragón, and we ship throughout Spain and the European Union. Every piece is securely packaged. If you have any questions, contact us.
Can I visit the shop in Zaragoza?
Of course. We're at C/ Pedro María Ric 9, Local 2, in the center of Zaragoza. We love welcoming visitors — you can see and touch the pieces before deciding. Check our location and opening hours.
From our family to yours: welcome to Wendy Jewellery.
Wendy Jewellery — Spain's first specialized jade store.
Authentic nephrite jade | Zaragoza, Spain.