Nephrite is not the name of mineral, but refers to some silicate minerals (such as tremolite and actinolite) with gem value in amphibole. Fine amphibole mineral crystals are intertwined in the form of fibers, forming dense aggregates with fine texture and good toughness. There are many kinds and colors of nephrite, but they all have oily luster. Nephrite is not a precious gem, and there are huge nephrite gravels in some places. Hotan, Xinjiang, China is an important producer of nephrite, and nephrite here is called "Hotan Jade". Nephrite is an aggregate of amphibole minerals. Fine amphibole mineral crystals are intertwined in the form of fibers, forming dense aggregates with fine texture and good toughness.

[nephrite]

nephrite

Nephrite is called real jade [1], and nephrite can be divided into white jade, sapphire, sapphire, topaz, jet, sugar jade and flower jade. China is one of the famous nephrite producing countries, mainly producing in Kunlun Mountain, Tianshan Mountain and Altun Mountain in Xinjiang. All have waxy luster, purity and milky white. Judging from the jade articles of past dynasties, nephrite is the main jade used in China, and ancient nephrite is called traditional jade in China. The common colors of nephrite are white, gray, green, dark green, yellow and black. Most nephrite are opaque, and some nephrite are translucent and glassy. The varieties of nephrite are mainly divided according to different colors. The best white jade, as white as suet, is called suet jade. Sapphire is grayish white to bluish white. At present, some people call off-white sapphire sapphire. Jasper is green or dark green, and sometimes black spots can be seen, which is caused by impurities such as chrome spinel minerals. Containing many impurities, when it is black, it is a precious jet. Topaz is also a precious variety. Sapphire has a yellow shell with sugar water, which is called "sugar jade" by the existing people, "pink jade" by some people when the white is slightly pink, and "tiger jade" by some people when the tiger skin is colored.

Nephrite is mainly produced in Hetian, Xinjiang, China, so it is also called Hetian jade in history, and it is the best of many jade varieties produced in China. Nephrite occupies a very important position in ancient jade culture in China, and many ancient jade articles are carved with nephrite. It is not only of high value from the perspective of gemology, but also of historical relics.

Nephrite is divided into white jade, blue white jade, sapphire, topaz, jasper, jet, sugar jade and so on. When buying nephrite, look at the quality of jade first. The best variety is suet white jade, which is as white as suet and as warm as suet, while other varieties are poor. The finer the texture of nephrite, the stronger the greasy feeling, the better.

[nephrite]

nephrite

There are many imitations of nephrite, mainly quartzite jade, marble jade and imitation suet white jade glass.

Quartzite jade: It is a kind of rock composed of small particles from the season. It is white, translucent-opaque and has a hardness of 7. Glass can be carved, and the fracture is uneven and granular.

Marble jade: composed of calcite small particles, white, opaque, hardness 3, unable to carve glass, uneven fracture, granular.

Glass: grayish white, translucent, hardness 5.5. If you look closely, you can see small round bubbles, and the fracture is a smooth cambered surface.

Nephrite, interwoven with tiny amphibole fibers, is white and translucent, with a hardness of 6-6.5. Glass can be carved, and the fracture is uneven fiber. You can find the difference between it and imitation by careful comparison.