Jade

The jade naming problem

The word jade causes confusion because it is a trade name, not a mineralogical one. A single term covers two completely different minerals. This happened historically because both minerals are tough, dense, and green, and they were used interchangeably by ancient cultures and early lapidaries who did not have the tools to distinguish them mineralogically. By the time modern mineralogy could tell the two apart, the market had already settled on a single name for both.

This matters now because treated jade in the low-grade market is almost always jadeite (Grade B: acid-bleached and resin-impregnated). Nephrite is less frequently treated because its natural colors are accepted in the market. If you buy jade without asking which mineral it is, you cannot assess the likelihood of treatment. We solve this by naming the mineral explicitly on every piece.

Jadeite

Jadeite is a sodium aluminum silicate pyroxene mineral with the formula NaAlSi2O6. It forms under high-pressure metamorphic conditions, typically in subduction zones where oceanic crust is thrust deep into the Earth. Jadeite is harder than nephrite (Mohs 6.5 to 7), denser (specific gravity 3.3), and typically finer-grained, allowing a higher polish. Colors range from imperial green to lavender, white, red, black, and orange, depending on trace element content and structural defects.

Jadeite is rare. Major sources are Burma (Myanmar), which has historically produced the finest imperial green material; Guatemala, which produces lighter greens and other colors; and Russia. Jadeite commands premium prices due to rarity and the fine color saturations available. The market for fine jadeite is dominated by high-end collectors and institutional buyers.

Grade A jadeite (untreated, fine color, good polish) costs significantly more than Grade B or C. Grade B jadeite undergoes acid bleaching to remove discoloration and polymer impregnation to stabilize the bleached material and fill fractures. This process dramatically lowers cost but changes the physical properties and durability of the stone. Grade C is dyed. We do not sell Burmese jadeite due to sanctions and sourcing clarity concerns.

Nephrite

Nephrite is a tremolite-actinolite amphibole, a calcium magnesium iron silicate mineral that forms in metamorphic environments at lower pressures than jadeite. Nephrite is slightly softer than jadeite (Mohs 6 to 6.5), denser than serpentine but lighter than jadeite (specific gravity 2.95), and typically green, cream, gray-green, or white. Historic sources include China (the center of nephrite carving for over seven thousand years), Russia, British Columbia, New Zealand, Australia, and Wyoming.

Nephrite is more abundant than jadeite and historically more affordable. Its natural color palettes are widely accepted, so treatment is less common. When nephrite is treated, it is typically dyed or heat-treated to intensify color, but this is less common than jadeite treatment because the market accepts natural nephrite as is.

Market substitutes and confusion

New Jade is almost always serpentine, not jade. Serpentine is a sheet silicate mineral (Mg3Si2O5(OH)4) that is much softer (Mohs 2 to 5) and less tough than true jade. It is often dyed or heat-treated to create a vivid green color that mimics jade. Serpentine feels warmer to the touch than jade, scratches easily, and breaks under modest pressure.

Malaysia Jade is often dyed quartz. Mountain Jade is dyed dolomite or marble. These market names are convenient but misleading. Real jade is jadeite or nephrite. Everything else is something else with a jade-sounding name.

Green jade

The green stone sold here goes by the trade name green jade. Technically it is not jade: true jade is nephrite or jadeite, and this stone is neither. We document the specific mineral ratios per batch where analysis is available.

Because it is not true jade, we sell it under its trade name, green jade, and do not market it as nephrite or jadeite.

Authentication and testing

Real jade is tough to an unusual degree. It resists chipping even under impact that would break quartz. Density testing helps distinguish minerals: jadeite feels heavier than nephrite for comparable size. Under a loupe, jadeite shows a finer, more uniform granular texture, while nephrite displays fibrous strands. Grade B jadeite shows resin sheen under UV light. A gem lab confirms resin impregnation with infrared spectroscopy.

New Jade serpentine is softer than true jade and scratches more easily. It also feels warmer than jade and shows visible grain under a loupe. If you are unsure, ask for mineral certification. We provide it on request for all our jade products.

Care considerations

Jade (both jadeite and nephrite) is durable for daily wear. Clean with water and soap, avoid ultrasonic cleaners on treated stones, and store separately from softer minerals. The high density and toughness mean jade responds well to any cleansing method: water, smoke, sound, moonlight, or breath all work equally well.

Pricing and value

Fine high-grade imperial green jadeite sits at the top of the gem market, and mid-range jadeite sits well below it. Grade B treated jadeite costs far less than untreated Grade A, which is why treatment disclosure matters. Nephrite is generally more accessible, with fine material valued well above standard grades. Green jade (trade name) rises with size, carving, and polish quality. Serpentine is sometimes mislabeled as jade, and price alone will not reveal it; softness, a warmer feel, and visible grain under a loupe are the real checks.