Jade

:For other uses, see Jade (disambiguation).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

An ornamental stone, jade is a name applied to two different silicate minerals. Nephrite is a form of the amphibole actinolite (a mineral that also includes a form of asbestos). The second, the mineral jadeite, is a pyroxene. Nephrite has the formula Ca2(Mg, Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2. Jadeite has the formula NaAlSi2O6. The two are quite similar in appearance and it wasn't until 1863 that the two forms of this gemstone were distinguished.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It is an exceptionally tough material, and was first used for things such as axe heads, knives, and weapons. Later, as other materials could replace jade as a weapons material, it became appreciated for its beauty. Jade has a Mohs hardness of between 6.5 and 7.0 http://www.orionsgemz.com/Mohs.html.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Nephrite can be found in a creamy white form as well as a green color, while jadeite shows more color variation. Of the two, jadeite is rarer, and is the form of jade mostly used in Central America. Nephrite jade was used mostly in China, Myanmar and New Zealand.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jade is the official gemstone of British Columbia.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mineral: This article is about minerals in the geologic sense; for nutrient minerals see dietary mineral; for the band see Mineral (band)....

Nephrite: Nephrite is a variety of the calcium and magnesium-rich amphibole mineral actinolite (aggregates of which also make up one form of asbestos). The chemical formula for nephrite is Ca2(Mg,Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2. It is one of two different mineral species called jade. The other mineral species known as jade ...

Amphibole: For the logical fallacy, see Amphibology....

Jade related Images and Photos (experimental)

Jade	Jade Vines	Green Jade	Jade Plant (Crassula Argentea) Crassulaceae.
Summerbrezze Jade	Jade Adam Hughes T-Shirt	Orchid Sea Jade Fresh Water	DC Comics Jade Ame Comi Statue
Pullip Taeyang Jade Fashion Doll	Moonlight Sword and Jade Lion/Bloody Fist (DVD) (DBFE)	Cake Jewelry Green Jade Pendant Necklace	Charlie Chan in The Jade Mask 1945