metamorphic
Jadeite Jade
NaAlSi2O6
Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs; Color: Pale apple green to emerald green (mottled); Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal structure: Monoclinic (fibrous/interlocking aggregates); Specific Gravity: 3.25-3.36.
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Pale apple green to emerald green (mottled)
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs; Color: Pale apple green to emerald green (mottled); Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal structure: Monoclinic (fibrous/interlocking aggregates); Specific Gravity: 3.25-3.36.
Formation & geological history
Forms in high-pressure, low-temperature metamorphic environments such as subduction zones. Typically associated with serpentinite.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in fine jewelry (beads, cabochons, bangles), ornamental carving, and as a highly prized collectible in East Asian cultures.
Geological facts
There are two minerals called jade: Jadeite and Nephrite. Jadeite is the rarer and more valuable of the two. In China, jade has been symbolic of longevity and purity for thousands of years.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its 'interlocking grain' texture under magnification, extreme toughness (resistance to fracturing), and high density. Commonly found in Myanmar (Burma), Guatemala, and Japan.
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