Jadeite
Jadeite is a sodium aluminum pyroxene and one of the two minerals known as jade. As a tough, interlocking aggregate it ranges from white to vivid emerald green, and the finest translucent green material is the most prized form of jade.
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Jadeite properties at a glance
| Type | Silicate Minerals |
|---|---|
| Chemical formula | NaAlSi2O6 |
| Mohs hardness | 6.75 |
| Crystal system | monoclinic |
| Luster | vitreous |
| Streak | White |
| Cleavage | Good prismatic |
| Fracture | Splintery to uneven |
| Specific gravity | 3.3 |
| Transparency | translucent |
| Common colors | Green, White, Lavender, Yellow, Black |
| Rarity | rare |
Geology & background
Jadeite forms under high-pressure, low-temperature metamorphic conditions in subduction zones, typically within serpentinite-associated rocks as the dense rock jadeitite.
Jadeite has been carved into tools, ornaments, and ritual objects for millennia, holding deep cultural value in Mesoamerica and in China, where fine jadeite became the most treasured form of jade.
How to identify Jadeite
- Look for a tough, dense rock made of interlocking grains, often green but ranging to white and lavender.
- Jadeite is harder and denser than nephrite and can show a faintly granular surface texture.
- Confirm valuable green material with a gemologist, since jadeite is often imitated, dyed, or polymer impregnated.
Where Jadeite is found
Jadeite forms in high-pressure metamorphic settings, with notable sources in Myanmar, Guatemala, Russia, Japan, and the United States.
How much is Jadeite worth?
| Entry-level specimen | $20 |
|---|---|
| Typical collector specimen | $600 |
| Premium specimen | $15000+ |
Value depends on color, translucency, texture, treatment, size, locality, aesthetics, and provenance.
Common uses
- Gemstone jewelry
- Carvings and ornaments
- Ceremonial objects
- Lapidary cabochons
- Collector specimens
Interesting facts
- Jadeite and nephrite were recognized as two distinct minerals only in 1863, after both had long been called jade.
- The most valuable jadeite, an intense translucent green known as imperial jade, comes mainly from Myanmar.
- Although not especially hard, jadeite is exceptionally tough because of its interlocking crystal structure.
- Mesoamerican cultures prized jadeite from Guatemala for ceremonial carvings centuries before European contact.
Care & safety
Jadeite is exceptionally tough and resists chipping, though it can still be scratched by harder gem materials.
Avoid inhaling dust. Do not cut, grind, or polish unknown specimens without eye protection and a proper respirator.
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