Jade
#00A86B
Color Values
Color Meaning
Jade represents wisdom, balance, and prosperity. It's associated with healing, protection, and spiritual insight. Jade has been treasured in Asian cultures for millennia.
Learn more on WikipediaFrequently Asked Questions About Jade
What two colors make jade?
Jade is made by mixing green with small amounts of yellow and blue, creating a rich, translucent green resembling the jade gemstone.
What's the difference between jade and emerald?
Jade is more yellow-green and translucent, while emerald is deeper and more blue-green. Both are jewel-toned greens.
How do you make light jade?
Light jade is made by mixing jade with white, or by mixing green with small amounts of yellow and white.
The History of Jade
Jade — encompassing nephrite and jadeite — has been one of the most revered materials in Chinese civilization for over 7,000 years. Neolithic Chinese cultures carved nephrite into ritual objects (bi discs, cong tubes) of mysterious ceremonial significance. In ancient Chinese cosmology, jade was believed to be the essence of Heaven crystallized — more precious than gold or silver, it was used to make burial suits (Han dynasty jade-plate burial suits are among China's greatest archaeological treasures), imperial seals, and ceremonial objects. The Olmec and Maya civilizations in Mesoamerica independently developed jade-centered sacred traditions — jadeite was more precious than gold to the Maya, and jade masks, axes, and figurines were placed in the most sacred royal burials. In Māori culture, pounamu (New Zealand greenstone, a nephrite jade) is the most sacred material — heirlooms of profound cultural and spiritual significance.
Cultural Significance
Jade occupies sacred space in both East Asian and Mesoamerican cultural traditions with no equivalent in Western culture. In Chinese culture, jade represents the five Confucian virtues: benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, courage, and purity — the smooth, cool feel of jade in the hand is a metaphor for moral character. The saying 'gold has a price; jade is priceless' captures jade's supreme cultural value. In Chinese gift culture, jade jewelry — particularly jade bangles and pendants — are the most meaningful of all personal gifts, believed to protect the wearer and connecting them to Chinese cultural identity. In contemporary global luxury culture, Imperial jadeite (vivid emerald-green) commands extraordinary auction prices, with exceptional pieces exceeding diamonds per carat. The jade Buddha and Kuan Yin figurines are among the most commonly owned sacred objects in Chinese households worldwide.
Color Psychology
Jade is psychologically one of the most deeply calming and centering colors — it combines green's healing and growth associations with the ancient, cool, stone-smooth quality of the mineral itself. Research suggests jade-green environments promote deep calm, spiritual reflection, and emotional balance. Unlike vibrant greens that feel energizing, jade green has a cool, still quality — it is the green of deep waters and ancient stone, not of spring leaves. In Chinese cultural psychology, jade is associated with moral cultivation, patience, and inner perfection — it is the color of becoming the person you aspire to be. In contemporary wellness and luxury spa design, jade-green tones are used to create environments of premium calm and spiritual refinement.
Design Tips for Jade
Jade (#00A86B or a more blue-green #3CB371) is a distinctively beautiful green with cultural depth. For web design, dark jade (#065F46) provides accessible WCAG AA contrast; mid jade (#059669) works as a vibrant accent. Jade pairs magnificently with warm gold for East Asian-influenced luxury design; with white and natural stone for serene spa aesthetics; with deep navy for sophisticated cool-warm balance. In interior design, jade-green tiles, ceramics, and textiles bring both color depth and cultural resonance to a space. For branding targeting wellness, luxury, or Asian cultural markets, jade communicates authenticity, premium quality, and spiritual refinement. Jade jewelry photography always looks best on white, cream, or deep black backgrounds — the green-white contrast is startling and beautiful. In fashion, jade green is flattering across a wide range of skin tones and projects calm sophistication.