metamorphic
Jadeite
Jadeite (NaAlSi2O6)
Hardness: 6.5 to 7.0 (Mohs). Color: Apple-green, emerald-green, white, lilac. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal structure: Monoclinic (fibrous/granular habit). Cleavage: Prismatic, nearly 90 degrees.
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Apple-green, emerald-green, white, lilac
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5 to 7.0 (Mohs). Color: Apple-green, emerald-green, white, lilac. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal structure: Monoclinic (fibrous/granular habit). Cleavage: Prismatic, nearly 90 degrees.
Formation & geological history
Formed in metamorphic rocks under high pressure and low temperature conditions, typically within subduction zones. Most specimens are from the Mesozoic or Cenozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Primarily used in high-end jewelry (cabochons, beads, carvings), decorative ornaments, and historically for axe heads and weapons due to its extreme toughness.
Geological facts
Jadeite is one of two minerals recognized as 'Jade' (the other being Nephrite). It is prized for its toughness, which results from an interlocking granular structure rather than simple hardness.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its 'orange peel' surface texture when polished and its cold feel to the touch. It is found in Burma (Myanmar), California, Japan, and Guatemala. Field identification often requires specific gravity tests or Mohs hardness testing to distinguish it from softer look-alikes like serpentine.
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