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Jade, Jadeite and Nephrite
Jade is one of the oldest gemstones known, with a history stretching back more than 7,000 years. But it was only in 1863 that gemologists discovered that jade is in fact two separate and quite distinct minerals: nephrite and jadeite. Though it can be difficult to tell them apart just by looking, the two varieties differ both in chemical composition and crystal structure. Experts can often detect nephrite by its lower translucency and luster. Nephrite tends to have a resinous luster, while jadeite is more vitreous.
Nephrite is by far the more common form of jade. Nephrite ranges in color from mid to dark green or grey-green, but it can also be white, yellowish or reddish. Nephrite is slightly softer than jadeite -- nephrite is 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, while jadeite is 6.5 to 7. They have quite different chemical compositions as well: nephrite is a calcium magnesium iron silicate while jadeite is a sodium aluminum silicate. As a result, the two minerals also have different densities. Jadeite has a density of 3.30-3.38 while nephrite is less dense at 2.90-3.03
The two varieties of jade also have different crystal structures. While jadeite's structure is an arrangement of grainy crystals, nephrite is made up of fibrous crystals that interlock in a matted texture. These densely packed and interwoven fibers are extremely resistant to fracturing. So while jadeite is the denser and harder jade, nephrite is actually the tougher of the two.
All of the traditional Chinese jade is nephrite, since there are large deposits of nephrite in China, but no jadeite. Jadeite first came to China from Burma in the 18th century. Before the introduction of jadeite, the Chinese tended to value translucent white nephrite. But the jadeite from Burma came in a wider range of colors, including green, lavender, yellow, black and white.
The rarest and most valuable jadeite is called imperial jade, colored by traces of chromium. It has color and transparency rivaling fine emerald, though imperial jade is slightly more yellow in tone than emerald. You will also hear the term Type A used to refer to jadeite. Type A jadeite is untreated natural Burmese jadeite where the color is 100% natural.
The principal jadeite deposits are found in upper Burma (Myanmar). There are also deposits in other countries, including Russia, Canada, Japan and the USA. Nephrite deposits are found in China, Burma, New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Zimbabwe, Russia and the USA.
About the Author
AJS Gems, Bangkok is a leading online dealer in fine gemstones, including Burmese jadeite, sapphire, spinel, tourmaline and zircon. Jadeite Photos
7.5" Dark Green Natural Ocean Polished NEPHRITE JADE - Jade Cove, Big Sur, CA
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Fabulous Estate Vintage Chinese Celadon Nephrite Jade Bead Bracelet 7 1/2" $85.00 |
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Fabulous Estate Vintage Chinese Celadon Nephrite Jade Bead Necklace 18 1/2" $275.00 |
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Chinese Hetian Nephrite Jade Pendant "Kwan Yin"- 70g $88.00 |
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14K GOLD & NEPHRITE JADE RING WITH RAISED ENGRAVED LEAVES $199.00 |
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CHINA NEPHRITE JADE 14MM ROUND GEMSTONE BEADS A+ $9.99 |
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OLD CHINESE NEPHRITE JADE CARVED DRAGON CARVING $14.50 |
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Natural Green Nephrite Jade Carving Rose Flower Pendant $9.99 |
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New Zealand Maori Koru Style Nephrite Jade Eternity Twist Pendant $22.50 |
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Fine Rare Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Celadon Nephrite Jade Phenix Handheld $359.00 |
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Fine Rare Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Celadon Nephrite Jade Animals Belt Hook $329.00 |
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Fine Rare Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Celadon Nephrite Jade Boy&Monkey Handheld $399.00 |
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Chinese 100% Natural Hetian Nephrite Jade Rose Ring USA No. 8 1/4 $9.99 |
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White Chinese 100% Natural Hetian Nephrite Jade pendant Kwan yin Guanyin 906762 $0.99 |
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New Zealand Maori Style Natural NaturaL Jade/Nephrite Double Twist Pendant 423 $9.99 |
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China Vintage Nephrite Hetian Jade Royal Dog Statuette $122.00 |
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very rare only one of its kind Certified natural Nephrite (Jade) comb 222.63 cts $601.26 |
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New Zealand Maori Style NaturaL Jade/Nephrite Double Twist Pendant 402 $9.99 |
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Hongshan Nephrite Jade Huge Pig Apollo Sun God Alien $99.00 |
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Chinese Antique Nephrite Jade Huge Elegant Lady&Woman S $112.00 |
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Hongshan Nephrite Jade Horse Head Bust Statue Carving $99.00 |
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China Wester Zhou Jade/Nephrite 6.5" Eagle w. Snake $122.00 |
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Exquisite Chinese Nephrite Jade 5 Fortune Ram Head Bi P $21.00 |
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Hongshan Nephrite Jade Abstract Jiagu Script Huge Bi Pi $89.00 |
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Chinese Natural Hetian Nephrite Jade pendant Guanyin Kwan yin 627181 $15.88 |
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Natural Old Hetian Nephrite Jade Carved Dragon Pendant 8233 $3.99 |
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Rare Natural Jade/Nephrite carved*Dragon*amulet pendant 277 $9.99 |
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Natural Old Hetian Nephrite Jade Carved Sheep Pendant 8235 $3.99 |
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A PAIR OF 2 CHINESE NEPHRITE JADE STATUES FOO DOGS PIXIU! WOW (SHIPS FROM US) $69.00 |
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WOW--VERY BEAUTIFUL CHINESE NEPHRITE GREEN JADE DRAGON STATUE-(SHIPS FROM USA) $35.85 |
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STUNNING! One Natural, Untreated 14x8x5mm Nephrite JADE Paisley BEAD 007747 $11.09 |
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Old Chinese Nephrite Jade Carve Small Box W/COVER $49.98 |
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Stunning Rare Vintage Large Carved Nephrite Jade Butterfly Pendant - GRADE A $379.98 |
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Tear Drop ct Oil Green Chinese Hetian Nephrite Jade Pendant/Charm $149.98 |
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Old Chinese 19th C. Foo Dog Heitan Nephrite Jade Statue $589.98 |
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Chinese 19th C White Hetian Mutton Fat Nephrite Jade Bi $999.98 |
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Chinese Xinjiang Hetian White Nephrite Jade Money Toad $209.30 |
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Chinese Natural Hetian Nephrite Jade pendant Rabbit Cabbage $8.88 |
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Chinese Nephrite Celadon Jade Plaque / Pendant,Ancient Little Girl, 18th-19th C $4,337.98 |
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Chinese Old Nephrite White Jade Hanging Plaque on Wood Stand ,19th Century $1,478.00 |
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Chinese Nephrite Jade Carved Snuff Bottle- dragon $88.99 |
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22.34 CT.BIG NATURAL HEAR HARD GREEN MOGOK NEPHRITE JADE NR FREE COMBINE GEM $0.99 |
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Pendant JADE ROOSTER Green Nephrite Holed For Necklace $12.50 |
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Rare Jade / Nephrite Carved Dragon Amulet Pendant $9.99 |
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Rare Jade/Nephrite Carved ~Dragon~ Amulet Pendant $8.99 |
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Natural Hetian Jade/Nephrite Carved*Cicada*Pendant $9.99 |
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Charmming Jade/Nephrite carved *Buddha* pendant Figures & Statues @ $9.99 |
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Natural Hetian Jade/Nephrite Carved*Goldfish*Pendant $9.99 |
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Chinese 100% Natural Hetian Nephrite Jade Bangle Bracelet 61 mm 637156 $80.00 |
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Antique Jade Original China Nephrite / Antq Coins REAL JADE / CERTIFICATE $14,400.00 |
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JADE NEPHRITE ~1/2 LB LOT~ Stones HEALTH / ABUNDANCE $20.00 |
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Gorgeous Certified Pierced Fine 2 Boy Hetian White Nephrite Jade Pendant $250.00 |
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Vintage Dragon Ruyi Very Pale Greenish Hetian Seed Nephrite Jade Pendant/Cord $350.00 |
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Chinese Natural Hetian Nephrite Jade Baby Bangle Bracelet 37 mm 638266 $24.99 |
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Nephrite Jade Pendant "LUCKY BAT & MELON"-75g $75.00 |
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Hetian Nephrite Jade Pendant "BAT & OPENWORK"-45g $29.99 |
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Chinese Nephrite Jade Pendant "Blessing Guan Yin"-75g $99.00 |
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Vintage Chinese Gilt Silver Mirror with Antique Greenish White Nephrite Jade $3,000.00 |
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Hetian Nephrite Jade Pendant "LUCKY SNAKE"-65g $45.00 |
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Rare Antique Chinese Nephrite Jade Carved Snuff Bottle w/ Certificate @low start $2,998.00 |
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Vintage Chinese Gilt Silver Mirror with Antique Qing Dynasty white Nephrite Jade $5,500.00 |
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Chinese Nephrite Jade Pendant "Blessing Kwan Yin"-100g $155.00 |
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Hetian Nephrite Jade Pendant "ZODIAC MOUSE"-60g $39.99 |
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Hetian Nephrite Jade Pendant "LUCKY MONKEY"-90g $88.00 |
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★★★★Hetian Nephrite Jade Pendant "KING MONEY FROG"-100g $169.99 |
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★★★★★★Hetian Nephrite Jade Pendant "HAPPY SWAN"-130g $169.99 |
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17" A Grade Natural Green Nephrite Jade Beads Necklace w/ Certificate $1,049.92 |
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China Nephrite Jade/Excellent Flying Hawk Pendant-130g $19.99 |
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Fine Chinese Nephrite White Jade pendant "Xi" word figure $300.00 |
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Vintage Yellow Gold Nephrite Jade Fashion Ring Fine Estate Jewelry $471.20 |
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Jade Nephrite Carved Phoenix Flower Amulet Lover Pendant Gift 9165 $0.99 |
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Jade Nephrite Carved Bat Flower Amulet Lover Pendant Gift 8211 $0.99 |
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Jade Nephrite 1 XLg Tumbled Stone Healing Reiki Chakra $1.98 |
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RUSMIN: LARGE NEPHRITE JADE SPHERE BALL from Russia Natural Stone 350g $86.00 |
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Amazing Certified Pierced Dragon Ruyi Hetian Pure White Nephrite Jade Pendant $480.00 |
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Chinese Hetian White Nephrite Jade Pendant Pillar 322639 $90.00 |
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50 JADE, NEPHRITE, SMALL $5.39 |
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2.51 CT.NATURAL CUSHION GREEN MOGOK NEPHRITE JADE NR FREE COMBINE GEMSTONE $0.99 |
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Chinese Natural Hetian Nephrite Jade pendant Peanut Grape Ruyi Leaf 339263 $150.00 |
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New Zealand Maori Double Twist natural green Jade/Nephrite Pendant(518) $9.99 |
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Chinese Natural Hetian Nephrite Jade pendant Dragon Pi Xiu 339257 $160.00 |
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Vintage Chinese Hetian Nephrite Seed Jade Pine Figure Landscape Statue $1,680.00 |
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Natural Jade/Nephrite carved*Dragon *Pendant(026) $9.99 |
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Chinese Brown Nephrite Jade Snuff Bottle $54.99 |
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2" Natural Nephrite Jade Handmade Bowl / Cup $9.99 |
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Chinese Natural Hetian Nephrite Jade pendant Frog Toad Lotus Coin 336094 $150.00 |
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2 New Zealand Maori Style Natural Nephrite Jade Fish Hook Hei Pendants $29.99 |
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2.7" Beautiful Chinese Handmade Carved Bamboo Natural Nephrite Jade Pendant $59.95 |
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Chinese Nephrite Jade Plaque & Belt Hook Mounted in Silver Hand Mirror $3,050.00 |
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Natural Nephrite Jade Carving: Dragon Head Pendant $9.99 |
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2 HUGE SIZE HEAVY (40 POUNDS) CHINESE NEPHRITE JADE FOO DOG STATUES(SHIPS USA) $300.99 |
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7PCS 17X14X14MM NUGGET NEPHRITE JADE GEMS LOOSE BEADS $0.99 |
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Old Chinese Nephrite Jade Carved Phoenix Wine Cup $279.00 |
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Two Antique Chinese White Nephrite Jade Carvings $10.00 |
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Estate Vtg 14K Yellow Gold Natural Nephrite Jade Tube Link Chain Necklace 16.75" $1,099.00 |
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★★★★★★Hetian Nephrite Jade Pendant "LUCKY MOUSE"-65g $250.00 |
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Hetian Nephrite Jade Pendant "Blessing Guan Yin"-85g $180.00 |
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Antique Chinese Nephrite Jade Dragon Teapot $130.00 |
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7PCS 18X14X13MM NUGGET NEPHRITE JADE GEMS LOOSE BEADS $0.99 |
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Natural Nephrite Jade Carving: Monkey Figurine $9.99 |
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New Zealand Maori Style Natural Nephrite Jade Koru Twist Pendant $9.99 |
