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Nephrite

Gemstones
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A tough green jade symbolizing harmony, longevity, and moral integrity.

Detailed Definition
Nephrite holds deep cultural significance in East Asian poetry, embodying Confucian virtues like benevolence and wisdom. Its fibrous structure makes it incredibly durable, symbolizing unbreakable bonds or enduring principles. Poets use nephrite to represent the quiet strength of tradition, the resilience of love, or the smooth polish of a well-lived life.
Example
Example in poetry:
A Chinese poet writes, “Nephrite is virtue carved by time—smooth, strong, silent”; in Confucian verse, it symbolizes moral integrity; modern poetry uses it to explore enduring bonds; its fibrous toughness appears in verses on unbreakable loyalty; as jade, it embodies harmony; its coolness becomes metaphor for dignified calm.
Additional Notes
Nephrite is the traditional jade of China, tougher than jadeite but less translucent; valued for its durability and cultural depth, it symbolizes longevity, protection, and ancestral wisdom—its use in ritual objects connects it to heritage, continuity, and the weight of history in poetic reflection.
Also Known As
tough jade calcium amphibole ancient carving stone
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