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The Chinese, Maori, and Mesoamerican cultures, in particular, prized jade and excelled at creating amazing pieces from it. When the Spaniards arrived in Mexico, the Aztecs valued jade many times more than its weight in gold. To ancient stoneworkers everywhere, the smooth feel, versatility, and the clear, tinkling sound thin pieces of the stones produced when struck mattered most. Not surprisingly, jade symbolism, no matter the mineral, has often encompassed themes of harmony, eternity, and virtue.The Ancient Egyptians, Mesoamericans, and the Chinese usually placed jade in the mouths of their departed. They most often used green stones, meant to represent the heart. (An interesting note: In the ancient chakra system for describing body energy, green represents the heart chakra). Although most people commonly associate jade with green, it’s hardly the only color of jade, whether jadeite or nephrite.