Mineral Guide · Material
Nephrite, often sold simply as jade, is a tough interlocking amphibole rock valued for its calm green tones and polish.
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Nephrite is one of the two materials traditionally called jade; the other is jadeite. It is a rock made mainly of tightly intergrown amphibole minerals, commonly tremolite and actinolite, rather than a single mineral species. In this catalogue, the material used in mosaic is identified as nephrite jade.
Nephrite is renowned for toughness: its interlocking fibrous structure helps it resist breaking better than many ornamental stones. Colours range from creamy white and pale celadon to medium and dark green, with brown or black inclusions possible. Its polish is usually waxy to silky rather than glassy.
Nephrite develops where calcium- and magnesium-rich rocks are altered during metamorphism or along fluid-bearing contacts. Classic sources include British Columbia in Canada, Siberia in Russia, the Kunlun region of China, New Zealand and Taiwan.
Nephrite can be cut into thin plates for inlay and mosaic. Its relatively even colour makes it useful for leaves, backgrounds and quiet green fields, while natural variations ensure that each piece remains individual.
Reviewed by NotOnlyRocks Editorial Team
Last reviewed: 31 August 2026
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