gemstone

Yellow jade-like bead

Possibly serpentine (“new jade”) or jadeite/nephrite; identification is uncertain from the photograph

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Polished, pale yellow, translucent-to-opaque beads with a waxy luster and rounded, carved shapes. Hardness and crystal structure cannot be reliably determined visually; jadeite is Mohs 6.5–7, nephrite 6–6.5, and serpentine typically 2.5–5.5.

Identified October 16, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

If genuine jade, the material formed through geological metamorphism and fluid alteration; if serpentine, it formed by alteration of ultramafic rocks. The beads’ geological age and exact source cannot be inferred from the image.

Uses & applications

Likely used as jewelry beads; jade and serpentine are also carved into ornaments and collectibles.

Geological facts

“Jade” refers chiefly to two distinct minerals, jadeite and nephrite; many pale beads sold as jade are instead serpentine or other materials.

Field identification & locations

The photo shows a bead strand, but appearance alone cannot distinguish natural stone from imitation. Check hardness, density, and internal texture professionally; common jade sources include Myanmar, China, and parts of Central Asia and the Americas.