Gemstone profile and identification guide
Part of the identity of Jadeite comes from the producing regions associated with it. That combination of green body colour, 6.5 Mohs hardness, and silky lustre is what usually makes it recognisable in practice. The secondary white note often matters more than people expect when separating it from lookalikes.
Part of the identity of Jadeite comes from the producing regions associated with it. That combination of green body colour, 6.5 Mohs hardness, and silky lustre is what usually makes it recognisable in practice. The secondary white note often matters more than people expect when separating it from lookalikes.
Did you know? Jadeite is commonly associated with material from Myanmar, though the broader trade may draw on multiple localities.
Use this profile as a collector reference and educational guide for quick on-page comparison, then validate with the interactive identification system.
Name: Jadeite
Scientific classification: Pyroxene (Jadeite)
Hardness: 6.75 Mohs
Transparency: translucent to opaque
Lustre: vitreous to greasy
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Primary colour: Green
Secondary colour: White
Colour family: Greens
A practical identification pass begins with the visible basics: translucent transparency, silky lustre, 6.5 Mohs hardness, and a monoclinic / orthorhombic crystal system. The interaction between green and white tones is more useful than the primary colour alone when comparing candidates. Useful side-by-side comparisons include Topaz, Moonstone, Peridot.
Status: verified-core-fields
Reference priority: GIA, Gem-A, Mindat, International Gem Society
Core identity fields reviewed against consensus gemological references (GIA/Gem-A/Mindat/IGS).
Some market- and locality-level details may still require citation-grade source notes for publication workflows.
Hardness category: medium
Hardness value: 6.75 Mohs
Chemical composition: Sodium aluminum silicate (NaAlSi2O6)
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Common locations: Myanmar (Hpakan), Guatemala (Motagua Valley), Japan, Kazakhstan
Learn more: Gem-A gemstone education resources.
Jadeite sits in the greens grouping here, usually reading first as green with white appearing as a secondary note or modifier.
Optical effects: None specified in the current dataset.
Mineral species: Jadeite
Mineral group: Pyroxene group
Chemical formula: Sodium aluminum silicate (NaAlSi2O6)
Mohs hardness: 6.75
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Lustre: vitreous to greasy
Transparency: translucent to opaque
Streak: White
Cleavage: Generally obscured by aggregate texture
Fracture: Splintery to uneven
Specific gravity: 2.90-3.38 (species-dependent)
Refractive index: 1.60-1.68 (species-dependent)
Optical phenomena: None commonly reported
Colour range: Green, White
Common inclusions: Fibrous/granular textures, black mineral spots, and healed fractures
Geological environment: Jadeite occurs in High-pressure metamorphic terrains and serpentinized ultramafic environments. Its Monoclinic structure reflects the pressure-temperature conditions of those host rocks, with notable occurrences in Myanmar (Hpakan), Guatemala (Motagua Valley), Japan, Kazakhstan.
Principal mining regions: Myanmar (Hpakan), Guatemala (Motagua Valley), Japan, Kazakhstan
Important commercial sources: Myanmar is the dominant commercial source of gem-quality jadeite; Guatemala is the key secondary source
Historical significance: Jade has exceptional cultural significance across East Asian and Mesoamerican traditions.
Common treatments: Bleaching, polymer impregnation, and dyeing are established trade treatments and require disclosure.
Synthetic or imitation forms: Dyed quartzite, serpentine, glass, and composite imitations are common.
Common look-alikes: topaz, moonstone, peridot
Jewellery uses: Jadeite is used chiefly for A good fit for collectors and jewellers looking for visible character without needing the highest hardness category.. In the trade it is commonly fashioned as faceted stones, calibrated cuts, and higher-clarity collector pieces, with Mohs hardness 6.75 guiding suitable jewellery applications.
Care recommendations: Jadeite should be cleaned with lukewarm water, mild soap, and a soft brush. At Mohs 6.75 in the Monoclinic system, avoid steam cleaners, harsh chemicals, and high-impact wear. Protect cleavage directions from sharp knocks during wear and setting.
Cross-check profile data with GIA Gem Encyclopedia and Mindat entry for Jadeite.
Jadeite is a Jadeite material with chemistry Sodium aluminum silicate (NaAlSi2O6). It develops in High-pressure metamorphic terrains and serpentinized ultramafic environments, and economically significant production is associated with Myanmar (Hpakan), Guatemala (Motagua Valley), Japan, Kazakhstan.
Myanmar is the dominant commercial source of gem-quality jadeite; Guatemala is the key secondary source
Best for: Jadeite is used chiefly for A good fit for collectors and jewellers looking for visible character without needing the highest hardness category.. In the trade it is commonly fashioned as faceted stones, calibrated cuts, and higher-clarity collector pieces, with Mohs hardness 6.75 guiding suitable jewellery applications.
Ideal uses: A good fit for collectors and jewellers looking for visible character without needing the highest hardness category.
Jadeite should be cleaned with lukewarm water, mild soap, and a soft brush. At Mohs 6.75 in the Monoclinic system, avoid steam cleaners, harsh chemicals, and high-impact wear. Protect cleavage directions from sharp knocks during wear and setting.
Need another candidate? Use advanced gemstone search or return to the identification guide.
Compare hardness (6.75 Mohs), crystal system (Monoclinic), colour profile, and lustre (vitreous to greasy) with your sample. Then cross-check related gemstones listed above.
Jadeite sits in the greens grouping here, usually reading first as green with white appearing as a secondary note or modifier.
A good fit for collectors and jewellers looking for visible character without needing the highest hardness category.. For maintenance, follow the care guidance in this profile.
GIA: general gemstone identity (reviewed) - Reviewed as a direct core gemstone profile.
Gem-A: gemological education and terminology (reviewed) - Reviewed as a direct core gemstone profile.
Mindat: mineral species and locality index (reviewed) - Reviewed as a direct core gemstone profile.
International Gem Society: collector-facing gem reference (reviewed) - Reviewed as a direct core gemstone profile.
