gems, jade, jadeite, fei cui, Mesoamerica, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mayans, Olmecs, Aztecs, archaeology, history, archaeogemology

A large part of the materials used by humanity from its beginnings to the present day includes minerals. The ability to locate and obtain them was based on observation and experience as needs arose. The demand for mineral raw materials made necessary the exploitation of outcrops and mines, as well as the search for new deposits. The remarkable stone works of ancient cultures date back to the beginning of our era (Laufer 1912; Sahagún 1530; Torquemada 1613). Like other minerals, jade was used as a necessary material in certain cultures. Although the term jade is a relatively recent innovation in Europe, jade had already been used by ancient societies in the lacustrine settlements of that continent (Foshag 1954). Despite the fact that we do not know exactly the place or date at which jade was first used, it is believed to have been during the Chou Dynasty in China and among the Olmec culture (Foshag, op. cit.: 4). In 1565, it was brought to Europe as a remedy for kidney diseases and was recognized as piedra de ijada, from which the term jade derives (Proskouriakoff 1974: 1). Objects and tools worked in jade are recognized as important archaeological finds when recovered during excavation. However, this mineral can give rise to confusion when it is not properly understood. Jade is a general name that has been given to a family of minerals that share related properties, although within this group there exist varied compositions.