This beautiful piece of rare blue jade has been carved with a raised dragon and a gourd on one side of this piece.  On the other side is a raised bat and a gourd.  The jade pendant is 1 3/4” in diameter. I have beaded it with large deep iridescent blue great quality kyanite barrels ( 12 mm diameter by 15 mm long).  It can be worn with either side facing forward.  The necklace is 19 “ around and is finished with a large sterling silver clasp.  This is a gorgeous statement fashion piece of jewelry.

The dragon is the imperial emblem of the Emperors in China, especially from the from the Han period where their coat of arms shows two dragons fighting for the fiery pearl.  The dragon is a supernatural creature and is the symbol of power, strength, wisdom and goodness.  It represents the utmost in accomplishment: good luck and a successful life. It is also believed to be the guardian of hidden treasures.  It represents the spirit of growth and change.

The bat is symbolic of happiness, good fortune, prosperity and longevity. When something is portrayed upside down it means it has arrived, so the common portrayal of an upside-down bat is symbolic of good fortune that has arrived.  It is one of the best symbols of good luck.   

The gourd is symbolic of longevity.

Chinese royalty has worn jade for centuries. It has been used since the Neolithic times for tools, weaponry, amulets, vases and figurines because of its hardness.  It is believed to be a spiritual stone and has been called the jewel of heaven.  It represents the five principal virtues:  charity, modesty, courage, justice and wisdom.  From cloudy white to golden brown, light to dark green, to rare lavender, jade is the most highly prized Asian gemstone.  Jade has been regarded as the most precious stone for thousands of years.  It is believed to protect the wearer and ensure good luck and good health as well as to increase life span.

Kyanite is an iridescent stone with sapphire-like blue color with a silvery sheen.
In ancient times it was used by travelers as a compass.  It was believed that by hanging the stone from a hair it would fallow the Earth's magnetic force like a compass needle.