There are two kinds of jade found in nature: nephrite (calcium magnesium silicate) and jadeite (silicate of sodium and aluminum); both look alike. They may be translucent or opaque and are available in green, brown, yellow, grey and pink. Jade may have slightly lighter shades and tiny spots all over. Between the two varieties jadelite, popularly known as Chinese jade, is found in green tinge called the imperial green similar to emerald green.
The gem looks very beautiful. Jadelite has monoclinic structure with RI varying between 1.65 and 1. 67; specific gravity of 3.5; and hardness of about 6.5 on Moh’s scale.
Being very hard and almost unbreakable Jade was used in the prehistoric era for making weapons, tools and vessels. Jade is also known as ‘stone of heaven’ considering its divine properties. Both varieties of jade are found extensively in Russia, United States, Guatemala,, British Columbia and China.
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