Jadeite
green · Jade family
| Also known as | Jade (Jade family) |
|---|---|
| Colour | Green, Blue, White, Black |
| Mohs hardness | 6.5–7 |
| Lustre | Subvitreous, pearly on cleavages |
| Streak | White |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Transparency | Translucent |
| Cleavage | Good on [110] |
| Fracture | Splintery |
| Chemical formula | NaAlSi 2 O 6 or Na(Al,Fe 3+ )Si 2 O 6 |
| Specific gravity | 3.24 to 3.43 |
What is Jadeite?
Jadeite is a pyroxene mineral with composition NaAlSi2O6. It is hard (Mohs hardness of about 6.5 to 7.0), very tough, and dense, with a specific gravity of about 3.4. It is found in a wide range of colors, but is most often found in shades of green or white. Jadeite is formed only in the subduction zones of continental margins, where rock undergoes metamorphism at high pressure but relatively low temperature.
How to identify Jadeite
- Lustre: Subvitreous, pearly on cleavages.
- Hardness: Mohs 6.5–7 — about as hard as a steel knife.
- Streak: White.
- Habit: Monoclinic crystal system.
Jadeite in different forms
Stones often confused with Jadeite
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Jadeite?
Jadeite is Mohs 6.5–7 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Jadeite?
Jadeite is typically green, blue, white, black (Apple-green, emerald-green, bluish green, leek-green, purplish blue, greenish white, white, black, may show green spots,).