Nephrite

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Physical & Optical Properties

Category Semi-Precious Gems

Mohs Hardness 6.0 – 6.5

Specific Gravity 2.9 – 3.1

Refractive Index 1.6 – 1.627

Crystal System Monoclinic

Cleavage None

Fracture Splintery

Color various

Birefringence 0.027

Pleochroism Nil

Mohs Hardness

Mohs Hardness: 6.0 – 6.5

1 Soft10 Hard

Crystal System

Value & Market

Price Tier Moderate ($50-500/ct)

Where to Buy Nephrite

Blue Nile Fine jewelry retailer

James Allen Gemstone jewelry

Brilliant Earth Ethically sourced gems

Amazon Wide selection

Links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Treatments

Less commonly dyed than jadeite-jade because of its more compact structure, may be impregnated - Blue Chart Gem Identification, Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, 2010, p 5 6 to 6.5Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references 2.90 to 3.10Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references BrittleWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) NoneArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) SplinteryArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) 1.600 to 1.627Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references Biaxial/-Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) 0.027 to often moreWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references NilArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) NilArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) YesUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004) Green, gray-green, reddish-brown, blackUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references Translucent,OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references NoneWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) MonoclinicHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references FibrousHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references Occurs in serpentine rocks, and as river or beach pebbles.Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references Nephrite information at mindat.org Australia  Nichol (2000) Canada  Nichol (2000) Nichol (2000) China  Italy  Nichol (2000) New Zealand  Switzerland  Nichol and Giess (2005) Taiwan  Adams and Beck (2009) USA  Paradise (1985) Ward (1999)

About Nephrite

Nephrite is the calcium magnesium iron silicate amphibole (tremolite-actinolite series) forming the more widely distributed of the two true jade minerals, ranging from creamy white "mutton fat" jade to deep spinach green, gray, brown, and black depending on iron content. It forms in metamorphic environments and has been carved since the Neolithic period, central to Chinese culture where it was called "yu" (the stone of heaven), and prized by New Zealand's Maori people as "pounamu" or greenstone. Major sources include British Columbia (Canada), Xinjiang (China), Russia, New Zealand, and Wyoming (USA).