Jadeite is a nonclinic, pyroxene mineral. It has measures 6.5 to 7.0 on Moh’s scale of hardness. The mineral is highly dense, with a specific gravity of about 3.4.

The name Jadeite is derived from “piedra de ijada” a Spanish phrase which means “stone of the side.” It was believed that if jade was rubbed against the body of a person, it would cure kidney stones.

Jadeite is formed in metamorphic rocks under high pressure and relatively low temperatures. Albite is a common mineral on the Earth’s crust. With increasing pressure, albite forms jadeite. Jadeite are rocks that consist almost entirely of jadeite. Jadeite is resistant to weathering.

Jadeite’s color commonly ranges from white through pale apple green to deep jade green. It can also be blue-green like the “Olmec Blue” jade, pink, lavender and other rare colors. Chloromelanite is a very dark green to black variety.

Presence of trace elements such as chromium and iron affect the color of the jade. Jade can vary from entirely opaque to almost clear. Variations in color and translucence are often found even within a single specimen.

Currently California, Myanmar, New Zealand, Guatemala, Kazakhstan, Russia, British Columbia, Alaska, Turkestan and Italy the best known sources of gem quality jadeite.

Intense green colored translucent varieties are the most highly valued. “Olmec blue” jade with its deep translucent blue-green hue and white flecking is becoming highly valued.

While purchasing jade, quality is determined by the degree of translucence and purity of color. Other minerals sold as jade can be easily differentiated by comparing their hardness.