Characteristics of Nephrite:

Chemical Name: Calcium, magnesium silicate hydroxide

Formula:  Ca₂(Mg, Fe)₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂

Colors: White, grey, green, lavender, pink

Structure: Monoclinic

Hardness: 6.5

Specific Gravity: 2.9-3.4

Refractive Index: 1.61-1.63

Lustre: Dull to waxy

Streak: White

Locations: China, New Zealand, Russia

 

Characteristics of Jadeite:

Chemical Name: Sodium, iron, aluminum silicate

Formula:  Na(Ai,Fe)Si₂O₆

Colors: White, green, lavender, pink, brown, orange, yellow, red, blue, or black

Structure: Monoclinic

Hardness: 6-7

Specific Gravity: 3.2-3.4

Refractive Index: 1.66-1.68

Lustre: Vitreous to greasy

Streak: White

Locations: Myanmar, Japan

 

What are Jade, Jadeite and Nephrite?

There are two distinct minerals both called Jade – Nephrite and Jadeite. They have very different textures: Jadeite is made of interlocking, blocky, granular crystals whereas Nephrite is fibrous. Nephrite comes only in cream and shades of green, while Jadeite comes in many other colors, with white as its pure form. The most valuable is emerald green, which is colored by chromium and known as the Imperial Jade. The name Jade comes from the Spanish Piedra de hijada, “loin stone”, named in the belief that it cured kidney ailments.