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Perhaps no other gemstone possesses an aura of mystery as does the gemstone jadeite. In over 2,000 years of mining, the finest jadeite has only ever been found in what is today Northern Burma. Known as the ‘Stone of Heaven’, jadeite has great cultural significance in China. For the Chinese, jadeite is attributed with human qualities such as hardness, constancy, purity, energy, beauty and even immortality. Once a favourite of the Empress Dowager Cixi, jadeite embodied certain special characteristics that assured its elevated status. In colour, jadeite displays an emerald green with a saturation and tone that is neither too dark, nor too light. Combined with a fine texture and a vitreous translucency, these are the qualities that form the coveted values of this cherished green stone.

This set of jadeite cabochon ring and earrings radiate a beautiful depth of vivid and brilliant emerald green, so typical of top quality Burmese jadeite. The rarity of these stones, however, is not merely confined to their subtle optical properties. The cabochons are also impressive for their graceful proportions and size as well as matching translucency and evenness of colour.

Good fortune and auspicious thought are central to all aspects of Chinese life and culture. The Chinese believe that by layering their lives with ‘lucky’ objects, they increase their chances of a happy and prosperous existence. Peapods are a popular motif and symbol, bursting with auspicious references to wealth and abundance, as well as celebrating womanhood and nature. In western culture, keys symbolise freedom and opportunity and as such feature in cards and jewellery celebrating 21st birthdays. Combining eastern and western cultures and traditions in a single piece of jewellery, is this fun set of jadeite keys set into a necklace would certainly make a special gift to remember.