Jadeite
Mineral NaAlSi2O6
About it
The pyroxene of true jade: dense, very tough interlocking grains, emerald green to white or lavender; Myanmar supplies the finest, with more from Guatemala and Japan.
- Type
- Mineral
- Group
- Silicate (inosilicate), pyroxene group
- Formula
- NaAlSi2O6
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 6.5–7
- Specific gravity
- 3.24–3.43
- Streak
- white
- Lustre
- vitreous (glassy), greasy
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Colours
- green, white, lavender, grey, black, orange
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent, opaque
- Cleavage and fracture
- good in two directions; splintery fracture when massive
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.