|
Jade
The definition "jade" is used to define two minerals of
similar appearance but different chemical composition: nephrite, a
calcium- magnesium silicate, and jadeite, a silicate of sodium and
aluminum.
Both minerals are found in a wide range of shades of green, brown,
yellow, grey and pink and may be either translucent or opaque. They
may be milky or cloudy in appearance and sometimes speckled with tiny
black spots.
The most prized of the jades, the so-called "Chinese jade"
(jadeite) is emerald green and so beautiful and rare that it has
become exorbitantly expensive. In fact, jade is a good investment only
if purchased at a reasonable price. A sound policy is never pay more
for Chinese jade than you would for an emerald.
|
Name |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Chloromelanite
Jade |
6.5+ |
3.30-3.36 |
Monoclinic
|
Imperfect
|
1.654-1.667
|
0.013
to None |
None
|
None |
v Weak |
| Jadeite Jade
|
6.5+ |
3.35 |
Monoclinic
|
Imperfect
|
1.654-1.667
|
0.013
to None |
None
|
None |
v Weak |
| Nephrite Jade
|
6+ |
2.90-3.02 |
Monoclinic
|
Lengthwise:
perfect |
1.600-1.627
|
-0.027
to none |
None
|
Weak |
None |
|
