What’s the Difference Between Jadeite and Nephrite?
Jadeite is a pyroxene mineral with the chemical composition NaAlSi₂O₆. It's renowned for its vibrant colour spectrum, ranging from emerald greens to lavenders, pinks, and even blues. This variety in hue is due to trace elements like chromium and iron. Jadeite's hardness on the Mohs scale is about 6.5 to 7, making it relatively hard and suitable for detailed carvings and jewellery.
In short: Jadeite (Mohs 7) is the harder, rarer and more valuable of the two jades, with vivid Imperial green Burmese jadeite reaching £30,000-£100,000+ per carat above 2.00ct. Nephrite (Mohs 6-6.5) is more common and historically Chinese-prized, typically £40-£300 per carat. Both are tough (resistant to breakage despite middling hardness). UK 2025 buyers favour jadeite for fine jewellery; nephrite suits carving and beads.
jadeite is rarer than nephrite and is considered more valuable, especially the intense green variety known as "Imperial Jade." Significant deposits are found in Myanmar (Burma), Guatemala, and Japan.
Exploring Nephrite
Nephrite, on the other hand, is an amphibole mineral composed mainly of calcium, magnesium, and iron silicate (Ca₂(Mg,Fe)₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂). Its colour palette includes creamy whites, mid to deep olive greens, browns, and blacks.
While it has a slightly lower hardness of 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, nephrite is exceptionally tough due to its fibrous, interwoven crystal structure. This toughness made it a preferred material for tools and weapons in ancient cultures. Major sources of nephrite include China, New Zealand, Canada, and Russia.
Distinguishing Between Jadeite and Nephrite
- Chemical Composition: Jadeite is a sodium aluminium silicate, whereas nephrite is a calcium magnesium iron silicate.
- Colour Range: Jadeite offers a broader spectrum of colours, including the prized emerald green and lavender, while nephrite typically presents in greens, whites, and browns.
- Hardness and Toughness: Jadeite is harder but less tough than nephrite. Nephrite's interlocking fibrous structure grants it superior resistance to breakage.
- Lustre and Texture: Polished jadeite exhibits a vitreous (glassy) lustre, whereas nephrite has an oily or greasy appearance.
- Geographical Sources: Jadeite is primarily sourced from Myanmar, while nephrite is found in regions like Canada and Russia.
- Value: Due to its rarity and vibrant colours, jadeite, especially "Imperial Jade," is generally more valuable than nephrite.
