Nephrite vs. Jadeite

Nephritenoun

(mineral) A semi-precious stone, one of the two types of stone commonly referred to as jade (the other being jadeite).

Nephritenoun

A hard compact mineral, of a dark green color, formerly worn as a remedy for diseases of the kidneys, whence its name; kidney stone; a kind of jade. It varies in color from white to dark green. It is the more common and less valuable variety of jade, the other being jadeite. Large deposits are found in Australia. Called also nephritic stone. See also Jade.

Nephritenoun

an amphibole mineral consisting of calcium magnesium silicate in monoclinic crystalline form; a source of jade that is less valuable than from jadeite; once believed to cure kidney disorders

Nephrite

Nephrite is a variety of the calcium, magnesium, and iron-rich amphibole minerals tremolite or actinolite (aggregates of which also make up one form of asbestos). The chemical formula for nephrite is Ca2(Mg, Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2.

Jadeitenoun

(mineral) A pyroxene mineral, a sodium aluminium silicate with the chemical formula Na(Al,Fe3+)Si2O6, found in metamorphic rocks.

Jadeitenoun

See Jade, the stone.

Jadeitenoun

a hard green mineral consisting of sodium aluminum silicate in monoclinic crystalline form; a source of jade; found principally in Burma

Jadeite

Jadeite is a pyroxene mineral with composition NaAlSi2O6. It is monoclinic.