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<\/a><\/div>\nWhen it comes to shopping for jade, especially if you are in the market for something finer and more durable, the differences between these two minerals are crucial and can affect the price and quality of the product. The following are some tips and tricks that can help you discern between jadeite and nephrite.<\/p>\n
Color<\/strong><\/p>\n Jadeite\u2019s rarity is not the only factor behind its high price point: this mineral also occurs in rich and varied hues of different levels of clarity. Unlike nephrite, which typically only grows within a short spectrum of different shades of darker green, white, and sometimes black, jadeite can be found in pure emerald greens, lavender, red, orange, yellow, blue, brown, white, black, and gray. Of course, the most prized color of jadeite is a specific shade of green: \u201cimperial jade\u201d is the moniker given to the rare kind of jadeite that is semi-translucent and gives off a vibrant emerald green color. Other valuable types of green jadeite include \u201capple green jade\u201d, \u201ckingfisher jade\u201d, and \u201cmoss-in-snow jade\u201d. Because of its chemical makeup, jadeite can also take higher gloss polish, which can bring out the transparency of the stone, making it more valuable.<\/p>\n Hardness<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n While jadeite and nephrite are very close on the Mohs scale of hardness, jadeite is still harder, ringing in between 6.5 and 7. Nephrite comes in between 6 to 6.5 on the scale, which is still relatively hard, but at this level, the mineral can still be susceptible to scratches from non-abrasive material. You can perform a scratch test on your jade to differentiate between jadeite and nephrite, but be very careful as this might damage the product. Find a part of the stone that won\u2019t be handled or seen much, like the bottom of a carving. Stay away from weathering surfaces\u2014areas that will often be touched or be exposed to corrosives like sunlight or water\u2014as these will be softer and easier to damage. Using the blunt edge of scissors or a small knife, gently press a small line into the stone. If the scratch makes a small white line, gently wipe it off, since it might just be residue from the metal of the tool you\u2019re using. If the indentation is still there after you wipe it off, you probably have nephrite, or worse, fake jade.<\/p>\n Further Inspection<\/strong><\/p>\n If these tests don’t yield decisive results, don’t despair. It\u2019s actually incredibly difficult to ascertain whether a product is made of pure jadeite. Even professional appraisers and jewelers can only be about 80% sure that a jade product is purely one mineral or the other. As such, to be completely certain, you should send your stone to a laboratory. They will send the product back to you with a jade certification detailing exactly which minerals out of which it is composed. Making sure that the lab you send your product to is legitimate is definitely top priority in this case, so we recommend going through accredited gemological foundations to find a trustworthy place. The International Gemological Institution<\/a> and the Gemological Institution of America<\/a>, for example, both offer reliable gem analysis services.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.truefacet.com\/guide\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/jadeite.jpg\")
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