Cochise College          Photos of Minerals

                          Geology Home Page                

                          Roger Weller, geology instructor

                          [email protected]
                                  copyright 2007-R.Weller

 

Mineral Information on:
jadeite

Chemical Group:   silicate- a pyroxene

Chemical Formula:  NaAlSi₂O₆

Color: usually green, white, rarely violet or brown                Streak:  white
 

Luster:  vitreous to waxy when polished

Hardness:  6.5             Specific Gravity:   3.25 to 3.35                  Fracture:

Cleavage:  good cleavage (110), but rarely seen due to fine grain size

Tenacity:  exceedingly tough

Crystal Forms: Monoclinic system
     Crystals are rare; usually found as dense massive material, fine-grained.     

Mineral Associations:

Identifying Characteristics:  Jadeite is very similar in appearance to nephrite jade,
     but it melts at a lower temperature.

Uses:  as a gemstone and for carvings

Occurrences:   Burma, Japan, Guatemala; In the USA from California

Toxicity:      when-swallowed-                            when inhaled-

Additional Information: