Jade

Jade is a term that describes two different gemstones that look incredibly alike: jadeite and nephrite. Beloved for centuries, jade has a special place in many cultures worldwide.

Jadeite and Nephrite Specifications and Characteristics

• Color: Typically green; Can be white, orange, yellow, lavender, black
• Crystal structure: Monoclinic
• Luster: Subvitreous to vitreous for jadeite; Vitreous to greasy for nephrite
• Transparency: Semitransparent to opaque for jadeite; Translucent to opaque for nephrite
• Refractive index: 1.64-1.68 for jadeite; 1.60-1.64 for nephrite
• Specific Gravity: 3.25-3.38 for jadeite; 2.90-3.08 for nephrite
• Cleavage: Rarely observed
• Fracture: Splintery for jadeite; Splintery to granular for nephrite
• Luminescence: Present but weak, green UV-long & UV-short for jadeite; Not present for nephrite
• Chatoyancy: Present in some nephrite stones from Taiwan

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