Imperial jade
Variety NaAlSi2O6
Also called Imperial jadeite
About it
The finest jadeite: nearly transparent and evenly coloured an intense emerald green by chromium. Comes from the Hpakant area of northern Myanmar; bleached, polymer-filled "B jade" imitates it.
- Type
- Variety
- Group
- Jadeite variety (pyroxene)
- Formula
- NaAlSi2O6
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 6.5–7
- Specific gravity
- 3.24–3.43
- Streak
- white
- Lustre
- vitreous (glassy), greasy
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Colours
- intense emerald green
- Transparency
- translucent
- Cleavage and fracture
- good prismatic, but massive jade is very tough; splintery fracture
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.