Cochise College          Photos of Minerals

                          Geology Home Page                

                          Roger Weller, geology instructor

                          [email protected]
                                  copyright 2007-R.Weller
 

Mineral Information on:
jade (nephrite)

Chemical Group:  silicate-amphibole

Chemical Formula:  Ca₂(Mg,Fe)₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)_{2
     Jade is actually a very compact, dense form of tremolite-actinolite.}

Color:  dull green, dark green, olive green, white, pale yellow, pale brown                  

Hardness:    6            Specific Gravity:   2.98 to 3.35

Streak:  white           Luster: resinous to vitreous when polished  

Tenacity:  very tough           

Cleavage:  rarely observed in fine-grained massive form

Crystal Forms:  Monoclinic system

Mineral Associations: metamorphic rocks

Identifying Characteristics:

Uses:  as a gemstone and carved ornaments; in the distant past as tools due its toughness

Occurrences:  China, Alaska, Mexico

Toxicity:      when-swallowed-                            when inhaled-

Additional Information: