Nephrite Jade Bowl

There are two minerals that are commonly referred to as jade: jadeite and nephrite. This bowl is carved from nephrite. Nephrite crystals typically are fibrous and are interwoven to produce a tough rock. From as early as 1000 B.C. the Chinese were making weapons and ornaments from a green stone they called yu, now known in the West as nephrite. This bowl is 9 cm (3.5 in) tall.