The Imperial Jade: Nephrite and the Global History of a Stone

from Intellectually Curious · host Mike Breault

A global tour of nephrite jade, the “imperial gem” prized above gold. We explore its buttery mutton-fat luster and legendary toughness, why interlocking tremolite/actinolite fibers make it famously hard to break, and how this one mineral connected civilizations from ancient China and the Silk Road to the maritime jade routes of Southeast Asia and New Zealand. From tools and ornaments to currency and sacred heirlooms, nephrite has shaped culture, trade, and ritual across millennia.Note: This podcast was AI-generated, and sometimes AI can make mistakes. Please double-check any critical information.Sponsored by Embersilk LLC

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Dec 30, 2025

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