Jadeite
Image: Shannon Heinle (CC0)
Mineral NameJadeite
Chemical FormulaNaAlSi2O6
Mohs Hardness6.5
Crystal Systemmonoclinic
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavagegood, prismatic {110} at 87 and 93 degrees
Fracturesplintery to granular
Specific Gravity3.3
Colorsgreen, white, lavender, yellow, orange, brown, black
Transparencytranslucent to opaque
Type LocalityMyanmar (Burma), China (Yunan), Japan, California (USA), Guatemala, Russia
Mineral GroupSilicates (Pyroxene group)
Usesjewelry, ornamental carvings, collector
Associated Mineralsserpentine, glaucophane, lawsonite, albite, omphacite
Rarityuncommon
Description
This image shows a compact, approximately 4 cm mass of green jadeite, exhibiting a somewhat translucent quality typical of the mineral.
Geological Context
Jadeite forms in high-pressure and relatively low-temperature metamorphic regimes, typically associated with subduction zones and continent-to-continent collision zones.
