Nephrite

The name nephrite originated in the 16th century, but it was not possible to distinguish between the two minerals jade and nephrite. It was not until the discovery of magnesium and advances in chemistry at the beginning of the 19th century that it became known that jade and nephrite denote three different minerals: Jadeite, Nephrite and Chloromelanite.

Nephrite is found in China, Russia, New Zealand, Alaska, Canada, Guatemala and Switzerland.

Nephrite is monoclinic and has the colours green, white, yellowish or reddish.


Mineral class of chain silicates
Formula: Ca2(Mg,Fe)5((OH,F)2(Si8O22))

Mohs hardness: 6 - 6.5
Density: 2.9 - 3.02
Cleavability: perfect, brittle, sharp-edged fracture
Stroke colour: white
Transparency: opaque to translucent

Healing properties
Inner balance, protects against external pressure and aggressiveness, helps with indecisiveness, doubts