What is Jadeite?
Jadeite is a sodium aluminium pyroxene and the principal mineral in jadeite jade, famous for intense green colour, exceptional toughness and high-quality carving material.
Mineralogy and crystal structure
Reference formula: NaAlSi2O6. Jadeite has a monoclinic clinopyroxene structure and forms solid solutions with aegirine and diopside. Gem-quality jadeite is usually a tough interlocking aggregate; colour, texture, translucency and treatment all affect value. Jadeite is classified with silicates and has a monoclinic crystal system. Typical hardness is 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale and specific gravity is approximately 3.2–3.4.
Colour, lustre and habit
Typical colours include green, white, lavender, yellow, black. The usual granular, massive, prismatic habit and vitreous, pearly lustre help describe a specimen, but colour alone is not diagnostic.
Formation and notable localities
Jadeite forms in or is associated with high-pressure metamorphic rocks, serpentinite mélanges and metasomatic veins. Important documented localities include Myanmar, Guatemala, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russia and the United States.
The mineral behind fine jadeite jade
Jadeite combines a strong geological identity with unmistakable visual appeal. Fine green material can show a glassy lustre and attractive translucency, while lavender, white and mottled stones offer a more understated collector aesthetic. The best pieces reward close inspection of texture, not just colour.
Jadeite in jewellery and collecting
Jadeite has a long cultural history in carved objects and jewellery, and modern symbolic interpretations often connect green jade with balance or renewal. These associations vary by tradition and should remain separate from the mineral's measured properties.
Collecting and care
Protect polished surfaces from impact and acids; disclose treatments in jewellery and have valuable jadeite tested by a qualified laboratory.
