No other natural object can be said to be more integral to the development of human civilization then Jade. It has been used since stone age times by man from the Asian Land bridge to Central America, from Peru to China. Jade has been used as tool, weapon, currency, religious and art object. This site is partially dedicated to one sub-species of the two minerals classified as Jade, i.e., Nephrite and Jadeite. The minerals Actinolite and Tremolite are the two fibers that are trapped inside a mass of Nephrite or old jade. When Actinolite fibers are trapped inside a mass of Nephrite without being combined with Tremolite the result is a rare and unusual sub-species know properly as Actinolite Cats Eye or Cats Eye Jade. The straighter Actinolite fibers give a a variety of interesting optical qualities to this material. But, this also causes Cats Eye to be not as tough as Nephrite. Grinding must be done carefully, and preferably with silicone carbide, not diamond (although diamond is very good for sanding and polishing). At the right angle very good luminous streaks on beautiful green cabachons can be cut. Worn traditionally on the orient as protection against the 'evil eye', Cats Eye Jade has long been valued for jewelry. There has been very little of this material on the world market since the underwater deposits off of Taiwan were exhausted about twenty five years ago. At that time it sold very well especially in Europe and Asia for between twenty and forty dollars a carat depending on the quality.