|
Nephrite
Nephrite
in pure form is white in color or else green or creamy white.
Sometimes even beige, yellow, blue or black is seen. It is a variety
of jade, chiefly a metasilicate of iron, calcium, and magnesium. The
green color in nephrite is due the presence of iron. Physically it is
similar to chalcedony. Both have a fibrous structure.
Nephrite is used as jewelry, carvings and bowls and vases. It is one
of the longest wearing of any gem material. The toughness of the stone
made ancient cultures to use it for symbolic ornaments, axes, knives
and weapons. It is also said, related to the burning of old jewelery,
the only object which survived the fire were the expensive nephrite
carvings.
Canada, USA, Mexico, and Australia are the major world producers of
nephrite. It is also found in China and New Zealand. The specific
gravity of nephrite is 3 and hardness is 5.75 on Mohs scale.
|
Name |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Nephrite |
6+ |
2.90-3.02 |
Monoclinic |
Lengthwise
perfect |
1.600-1.627 |
-0.027 to none |
None |
Weak |
None |
|
