GEMS FROM J

J.J. J.J. is a registered trademark of the Jonette Jewelry Compant, East Providence, R.I. This costume jewelry company was orignially called the Providence Jewelry Co.; it was founded in 1935 by Abraham Lisker. When Abraham Lisker's brother Nathan joined the company, the name was changed to Lisker & Lisker Inc. Production was halted during World War 2. After the war, the company was called the Jonette Jewelry Company. Marked with the initials "J.J." their jewelry is mostly figural and novelty pins, including Christmas pins. The poodle above is a J.J. figural pin.

JADE
Jade is a semi-precious stone that ranges in color from green to white to lilac to brown to almost black. Translucent jade is more highly valued than opaque jade. Jade is often cabochon set; stones with imperfections are often carved (the imperfections are simply carved away). Two different minerals are known as jade: jadeite and nephrite. Jadeite is the harder of the two; it is usually used in jewelry production. Nephrite is slightly softer and is often veined; it is used in carvings, for making beautiful bowls and vases. The Chinese have prized jade for thousands of years and regarded it as having medicinal properties when worn or ingested as a powder. Natural jadeite is called Type A or Grade A jade (waxing or wax dipping is allowed). Jadeite that had been bleached and then treated with polymers (plastic) or waxes is called Type B or Grade B jade (it is less durable than natural jade). Jadeite that had been dyed is called Type C or Grade C jade (the color is less durable than that of natural jade). Jadeite that has been both dyed and impregnated with polymers is called Type B+C or Grade B+C.