This is a gorgeous piece of rare blue jade.  It is carved with two dragons on the top, a bat on the bottom and “hands of Budda” in the middle.  Hands of Buddha is a citrus fruit grown and popular in China.   It is carved on both sides and has some translucency.  I have put it on the side of the necklace and combined it with 13 mm blue iridescent kyanite beads,  I have also added some other pieces of carved blue jade and some iridescent blue lamp work beads to add interest.  The jade is 2 1/2” long by 7/8” at the widest part.  This one of a kind dramatic necklace is  26 1/2” long and is finished with a large sterling silver clasp.

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. 

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.