Tumbled Green Jade
Jadeite / Nephrite · Precious Gemstone / Ornamental Stone
Crystal System
Monoclinic (massive to microcrystalline aggregate habit)
Mineral Group
Silicates (Inosilicates)
Chemical Formula
NaAlSi2O6 (Jadeite) / Ca2(Mg,Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2 (Nephrite)
Formation Process
Metamorphic, formed under high-pressure, low-temperature conditions in subduction zones
About This Crystal
This specimen is a small, polished, tumbled piece with a distinct T-shape or mallet-like form. It displays a mottled coloration featuring deep forest greens mixed with lighter, whitish to greyish patches and cloudy translucent areas. The luster is waxy to vitreous due to tumbling and polishing, and the material is largely opaque with some translucent edges.
Physical Characteristics
Color ranges from dark green to white; streak is white; cleavage is distinct in jadeite and obscure in nephrite; fracture is splintery to uneven; specific gravity is approximately 3.3 to 3.4 for jadeite and 2.9 to 3.0 for nephrite; tenacity is exceptionally tough and resistant to breaking due to the interlocking microcrystalline fibers.
Optical Properties
Refractive index ranges from 1.654 to 1.667 (jadeite) or 1.606 to 1.632 (nephrite); double refraction (birefringence) is weak; pleochroism is generally weak to absent; exhibits a greasy to sub-vitreous luster on polished surfaces.
Hardness & Durability
Origin Region
Myanmar (Burma), Guatemala, Russia, Canada, China
Hardness & Durability
Mohs hardness is 6.5 to 7 for jadeite and 6 to 6.5 for nephrite. It possesses legendary toughness, making it exceptionally resistant to fracturing, highly durable, and excellent for carving and everyday jewelry wear.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners, ultrasonic cleaners, and steam cleaners if treated or dyed. Store separately from harder gemstones to prevent scratching.
Rarity & Value
Uncommon to Rare depending on quality, color saturation, and transparency (Imperial jade being extremely rare). Price ranges from affordable tumbled stones to thousands of dollars for high-grade jewelry. Treatments like polymer impregnation and dyeing are common in commercial markets.
Special Characteristics
Renowned for its extraordinary physical toughness rather than optical phenomena like chatoyancy, though some specimens may exhibit a subtle fibrous or mottled translucency known as 'chiao'.
Lore & History
Jade has a rich history spanning thousands of years, particularly in Chinese, Mesoamerican, and Māori cultures, where it was revered as a royal stone symbolizing purity, nobility, wisdom, and protection. In modern crystal healing, it is associated with the heart chakra, believed to attract good luck, wealth, and harmony, though these are traditional cultural beliefs rather than scientific claims.