ABS

Nephrite Jade

This stone is known as nephrite, because in early times it was used in amulets against kidney disorders. Both jadeite and nephrite are known as jade. Although it is one of the two types of minerals which are fully entitled to be called jade. Nephrite jade is less highly prized nowadays than jadeite jade, which more often has strong, attractive colors.But nephrite iade was very important in ancient Oriental art, especially in China, where fine objects were fashioned from it up until the mid~eighteenth century. the use of jadeite jade only being established after that period.

Appearance

It is generally found in fairly homogeneous opaque to translucent masses, which are a fairly strong and very lively green. However the color can be dark green to blackish gray or blue-gray. Grayish white is also very common. lt may contain brown, yellow-brown or orange streaks of iron oxide. Because of its exceptional toughness. It is used for the carving of figurines, bas-reliefs and elaborate, thin-walled vases. It is also made into necklace, begs, pendants and much more rarely.

Cabochons an engraved pieces tor setting in jewelry. It takes a good polish, Pale, slightly translucent and not too lustrous specimens have a greasy or waxy appearance that is characteristic of much antique Chinese jade.

Distinctive features:

It is distinguished from jadeite jade by its felted, rather than granular, structure as well as its lower density and different refractive indices (although these are hard to establish). It is mainly distinguished by its density but also by its greater hardness, from some varieties of serpentine, which look very similar to the more translucent type. It is also distinguished by its density from certain rocks containing hydrogrossular and vesuvianite which are often translucent and very similar.

These are known as Transvaal or Pakistan and Afghanistan jade depending on their place of origin.