Nephrite
NephriteJewelryWiki Editorial·4 sources·Reviewed 2026-08-04
The other jade. Softer than jadeite and generally less valuable, but similarly tough.
Properties
| Property | Value | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 6–6½ [1] | — |
| Refractive index | 1.600–1.627 [1] | — |
| Specific gravity | 2.90–3.03 [1] | — |
| Chemical formula | Ca2(Mg,Fe2+)5Si8O22(OH)2 Nephrite is a rock name for the massive, interlocking-fibre form of the tremolite–actinolite amphibole series, not a mineral name. This is tremolite, the magnesium end; increasing iron moves the same material toward actinolite and darkens it. [4] | — |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic [2] Read from the species article, Actinolite. | — |
| Common treatments | Listed by GIA among the materials dyed since ancient times, and among the opaque materials impregnated with wax or plastic to improve durability and appearance. [3] | — |
| Care cautions | If dyed, avoid acetone, alcohol and prolonged sunlight. If impregnated, avoid heat. [3] | — |
Sources
- International Gem Society — reference charts (Mohs hardness, specific gravity, refractive index) — International Gem Society (IGS reference charts)
- Wikipedia — mineral article infoboxes (crystal system) — Wikipedia contributors (Wikipedia mineral infoboxes)
- GIA — An Introduction to Gem Treatments — Gemological Institute of America (GIA, An Introduction to Gem Treatments (Robert Weldon))
- Handbook of Mineralogy — Mineral Data Publishing / Mineralogical Society of America (Handbook of Mineralogy, Mineral Data Publishing)