16.42.01: Jadeite
- Page ID
- 4727
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)| Jadeite | |
|---|---|
| Chemical composition | NaAl(SiO3)2 |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Habit | Polycrystalline |
| Fracture | Flintery |
| Hardness | 6.5 -7 |
| Specific gravity | 3.30 - 3.37 |
| Lustre | Greasy to vitreous |
Jadeite is made up of interlocking pyroxene crystals. It occurs in a vary wide range of colors like green, lilac, white, pink, brown, red, blue, black, orange and yellow. The most prized color is a rich emerald green and is called Imperial Jade. Its green color is due to its chromium content and can be distinguished with a Chelsea (jadeite) filter. Jadeite is believed to prevent/cure hip and kidney ailments.
Enhancements
Common enhancements to jadeite:
- Fracture filling - wax - conceal cracks and fractures
- Coatings - wax - to improve luster
- Staining - color improvement through dyes
- Bleaching - removes stains
- Polymer impregnation - improves luster and to stabilize piece after bleaching
Occurrence
The most important source of jadeite is Myanmar but Guatemala, Japan and the USA (California) are also important sources
Sources consulted
- Smithsonian Handbooks, Gemstones, Second Edition 2002
G&G Articles on Jade 1934-1980
The GIA has published all the G&G's from 1934 until 1980 online. The organization of the list by subject was done by Joseph Gill.
- March-April 1934, Jadeite thought found in America (Oregon), p. 54, 1p.
- [www.gia.edu/research-resources/gems-gemology/back-issue-archive/May-June-1934.pdf">May-June 1934, Jade, p. 80, 3pp.</a>
- May-June 1934, Red Jade, by M. Ehrmann, p. 84, 1p.
- Fall 1944, Nephrite found in Lander, Wyo., in 1936, p. 170, 1p.
- Fall 1948, Jade Carving in China, p. 82, 5pp.
- Spring 1950, Jadeite and nephrite found in Calif., p. 289, 1p.
- Summer 1951, Jadeite and nephrite found in Calif., and artifacts, p. 76, 3pp.
- Spring 1952, Jade in Mexico, p. 147, 5pp.
- Summer 1954, The Nature of Jade, p. 38, 9pp.
- Fall 1956, Jadeite from San Benito County, Calif., p. 331, 4pp.
- Fall 1960, Jade Cutting Today, p. 81, 9pp.
- Winter 1964, "Pigeon eye" nephrite from Wyoming (shows chatoyant spots), p. 251, 2pp.
- Summer 1966, Taiwan jade (nephrite), p. 62, 1p.
- Spring 1976, Jade, China's Contribution to Fine Art, by A. Alexander, p. 145, 8pp.
- Fall 1979, Clarification of Composition of Maw Sit Sit, p. 217, 2p.
- Summer 1980, Australia Likely To Be Major Supplier of Jade, by J. Stone, p. 331, 1p.
- Summer 1943, So-called "Mexican jade" is calcite, p. 87, 1p.
- Winter 1955, Cat's-eye nephrite, p. 238, 1p.
- Spring 1958, Jadeite triplets, p. 134, 3pp.
- Winter 1961, Jadeite "Yunnan Jade" from Burma (showing absorption spectrum), p. 242, 2pp.
- Spring 1962, Rare gray-blue jadeite, p. 283, 1p.
- Winter 1963, Faded dyed jadeite, p. 100, 2pp.
- Summer 1964, Stable color in dyed jadeite, p. 181, 1p.
- Winter 1965, Dyed nephrite first seen at the GIA, p. 363, 2pp.
- Winter 1965, A new type of jadeite triplet (two pieces of jadeite, green coloring in center), p. 369, 2pp.
- Winter 1967, Dyed jadeite, p. 245, 1p.
- Summer 1969, Glass jade imitation, p. 58, 2pp.
- Winter 1970, Glass-like jade imitation, p. 249, 3pp.
- Summer 1971, Dyed lavender jadeite, p. 323, 2pp.
- Summer 1972, Jade substitute (glass), p. 44, 2pp.
- Summer 1972, Jade-like minerals, p. 50, 3pp.
- Fall 1972, Distinguishing burial jade from burned jade not yet possible, p. 83, 2pp.
- Fall 1972, Paraffin-treated jade, p. 84, 2pp.
- Fall 1972, Blue jade-like material (tremolite), p. 91, 2pp.
- Fall 1972, A cat's-eye yellow jadeite, p. 93, 1p.
- Winter 1972, Testing dyed antique replicas of jade, p. 112, 1p.
- Winter 1972, Jade cat's-eye (?), p. 113, 1p.
- Spring 1973, Jade imitations in devitrified fibrous glass (meta jade, Imori stone), p. 134, 2pp.
- Summer 1973, Durability of jadeite vs. nephrite, p. 175, 2pp.
- Fall 1973, Treated lavender jadeite, p. 214, 2pp.
- Fall 1974, Unevenly dyed jadeite, p. 350, 1p.
- Spring 1975, A "meta jade" glass with spectrum of natural jadeite, p. 27, 2pp.
- Fall 1975 Rare, nearly transparent, light gray faceted jadeite, p. 73, 2pp.