Collection: Nephrite Jade

Among gemologists, jadeite and nephrite have long been considered the materials that may be referred to as jade. More recently some green omphacite has also been included in the definition. These are actually metamorphic rocks made up of tiny interlocking mineral crystals which make the gems exceptionally tough.

Nephrite ranges from translucent to opaque and can be light to dark green, yellow, brown, black, gray, or white. Its colors tend to be more muted than jadeite. White nephrite is particularly rare and was once highly valued by Chinese emperors, who consider nephrite a sacred material.

Nephrite has a Mohs hardness of about 6.0 to 6.5.