Jade

Jade

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV
Published: June 2014
Modified: December 2021
Jade Jewelry

The term jade is used for jadeite and nephrite jade. For centuries the two materials were considered one and the same. It was not until 1863 that they were identified as different minerals with a similar appearance and properties. Jadeite jade is a member of the pyroxene group and is primarily composed of the mineral jadeite. Nephrite is a tough rock comprised of intergrown crystals of minerals from the tremolite-actinolite solid solution series, part of the amphibole group.

General Information

Common Name
Jade
Species
Jade

Jade Colors

  • Bi-color Jade
    Bi-color
  • White Jade
    White
  • Pink Jade
    Pink
  • Yellow Jade
    Yellow
  • Red Jade
    Red
  • Purple Jade
    Purple
  • Orange Jade
    Orange
  • Multi-color Jade
    Multi-color
  • Gray Jade
    Gray
  • Brown Jade
    Brown
  • Blue Jade
    Blue
  • Black Jade
    Black

Alternate Names

Lavender Jadeite, New Blue Jade, Nephrite

Countries of Origin

Canada; Myanmar; United States of America (the); Korea (the Republic of); Unknown; China; Russian Federation (the); Brazil; Mexico; Thailand; India

Enhancement

Bleached And Impregnated

Jade is often impregnated with wax to disguise fractures and improve its polish appearance. On other occasions, it may be dyed or heated to produce or improve color.

Common Name
Bleached And Impregnated
Refractive Index
1.666-1.68
Tolerance:(+0.008/-0.008)
Fluorescence
SWUV: Variable
LWUV: Variable
Specific Gravity
3.25
Inclusions
Type B jadeite has been bleached in acid to remove staining and then it has been impregnated with wax or polymers. It will show etch boundaries between the individual crystal grains.Advanced lab testing is usually required to detect polymer impregnation.
Stability
Good