metamorphic
Nephrite Jade
Ca2(Mg, Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2
Hardness: 6-6.5 (Mohs scale); Color: Creamy white to olive green; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Monoclinic (fibrous microstructure); Cleavage: None (highly tough)
- Hardness
- 6-6
- Color
- Creamy white to olive green
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-6.5 (Mohs scale); Color: Creamy white to olive green; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Monoclinic (fibrous microstructure); Cleavage: None (highly tough)
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional metamorphism of magnesium-rich limestones or ultramafic rocks in the presence of water-rich fluids. Often found in serpentinite belts.
Uses & applications
Extensively used for jewelry, lapidary sculpture, ornamental carvings, and historical tool making due to its extreme toughness.
Geological facts
Nephrite is actually tougher than diamond, making it extremely resistant to fracturing, which is why ancient cultures used it for axe heads and weapons.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its characteristic greasy luster and extreme resistance to breaking. Often found as rounded boulders in riverbeds or in situ near serpentinite deposits.
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