Judging quality
Nephrite has a waxy to oily lustre and a fibrous texture visible under light. Serpentine and dyed quartzite are the usual substitutes; genuine jade feels cold and unusually heavy for its size.
Amphibole
Jade (Nephrite)
One of two minerals sold as jade. Nephrite is an interlocking amphibole felt, which makes it the toughest natural stone known — far harder to break than to scratch.
Care
Exceptionally tough. Soap and water; avoid strong heat, which can dull the polish.
History & lore
Maori pounamu and Chinese imperial nephrite are both nephrite; jadeite, the Burmese stone, is a separate mineral entirely.
Cultural history, recorded as tradition rather than as medical or scientific claim.
Common questions about Jade (Nephrite)
- What is Jade (Nephrite)?
- One of two minerals sold as jade. Nephrite is an interlocking amphibole felt, which makes it the toughest natural stone known — far harder to break than to scratch.
- How hard is Jade (Nephrite) and what is it made of?
- Jade (Nephrite) is a Amphibole-family mineral with the composition Ca2(Mg,Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system and rates 6-6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. It occurs in green, cream, black.
- Where does Jade (Nephrite) come from?
- Notable localities for Jade (Nephrite) include Canada (British Columbia), New Zealand, Russia, China.
- How do you tell good Jade (Nephrite) from filler?
- Nephrite has a waxy to oily lustre and a fibrous texture visible under light. Serpentine and dyed quartzite are the usual substitutes; genuine jade feels cold and unusually heavy for its size.
- How do you care for Jade (Nephrite)?
- Exceptionally tough. Soap and water; avoid strong heat, which can dull the polish.
See it in person
Photographs only go so far
Both rooms are open six days a week, and there is always someone happy to pull pieces out of the case so you can compare them under the light.