I found this fabulous pale green jade pendant in China. The pendant consists of a round jade piece and a monkey that is free swinging from the decorative carved out pieces inside the round disk. Do when you walk the monkey swings as he would from a tree. This unique pendant is 2” in diameter. I have beaded the pendant with 9 mm green aventurine beads that are carved with a long life symbol. Interspersed between the aventurine beads are small clear moss agate beads that have little plumes of green in them. The green in the beads picks up the green of the jade. The necklace is 18 1/2” around and is finished with a large 18 K gold vermeil clasp. This one of a kind necklace is truly unique as it comes with moving parts.

The monkey is believed to drive away evil spirits. He is an emblem of trickery and is believed to bring health, protection and success on mankind. The monkey is a symbol of the immortality of the human spirit despite suffering and moral relapse. He is known for his sense of humor and the one who gets away with everything.

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.

Aventurine is a type of quartz. It varies from translucent to opaque and has small inclusions that give the stone a little bit of sparkle. The stone’s name comes from the Italian word “ventura” for “chance”. It is known as the stone of chance or luck and opportunity.

*Pendant 2” diameter

*Necklace is 18 1/2” around