Jadiete
| Chemical
Composition |
Sodium
aluminum silicate |
| Color |
A wide
range of colors including white, green,
yellow, red, orange, violet, and black. |
| Refractive
Index |
R.I.
1.64-1.67 |
| Durability |
Hardness
6.5-7. Very tough. |
| Crystal
Structure |
Monoclinic |
| Specific
Gravity |
3.25-3.36. |
| Sources
/ Occurrence |
Major
sources include Burma, New Zealand,
Guatemala, and Siberia. Prized for
carvings, frequently from China |
| Varieties |
Imperial
Jade
Purple Jade |
|
|
Nephrite
| Chemical
Composition |
A fibrous
variety of the amphibole mineral series
actinolite to tremolite, usually closer
to actinolite. |
| Color |
Green,
black, brown, beige (mutton-fat jade).
Usually darker and less intense colors
than those of jadeite. |
| Refractive
Index |
R.I 1.62.
|
| Durability |
Hardness
6-6.5. Extremely tough |
| Crystal Structure |
Monoclinic |
| Specific Gravity |
2.9-3.0. |
| Sources
/ Occurrence |
Many
sources, including Chinese Turkestan,
Taiwan, New Zealand, Wyoming, Lake Baikal,
British Columbia, and California. Prized
for centuries in Chinese carving. |
|
|
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