Chemical and physical structure of Jade
Nephrite Jade is fibrous in nature. Nephrite Jade's luster is muted and soft. It comes in nearly every color, though these are muted tones as well. Nephrite is monoclinic Nephrite has a splintery fracture, vitreous or silky luster with dark-colored inclusions. A calcium and ferromagnesian silicate, nephrite is the massive form of Actinolite and Tremolite ( See amphibole ) It forms translucent-to-opaque, mottled green, compact aggregrate composed of interwoven long thin fibers. Nephrite occurs in rocks subjected to low-grade metamorphism.
Jadeite Jade is crystalline. Jadeite is micro-granular in nature. Jadeite has a granular fracture, a glossy or pearly luster, and a pitted or polished surface. A pyroxene mineral, jadeite is a sodium aluminosilicate. It occurs as transparent-to-opaque compact lenses, veins, or nodules that vary in color due to impurities. Jadeite occur in rocks once subjected to deep-seated metamorphism and subsequently uplifted and eroded
Nature of Jade II