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Jadeite

Formula:
Na(Al,Fe
3+
 
)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
System:MonoclinicColour:apple-green, greenish ...
Hardness:6


Pyroxene Group - Clinopyroxene Subgroup.

Classification of Jadeite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/F.01-130
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.DA.25

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
A : Inosilicates with 2-periodic single chains, Si2O6; pyroxene family
Dana 8th edition ID:65.1.3c.1

65 : INOSILICATES Single-Width,Unbranched Chains,(W=1)
1 : Single-Width Unbranched Chains, W=1 with chains P=2
Hey's CIM Ref.:16.2.10

16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
2 : Aluminosilicates of Na
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Type Occurrence of Jadeite

Type Locality:Burma (Myanmar)
Year of Discovery:1863

Physical Properties of Jadeite

Colour:apple-green, greenish white, purplish blue, blue-green
Streak:white
Hardness (Mohs):6
Cleavage:Distinct/Good

Crystallography of Jadeite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:a = 9.43Å, b = 8.57Å, c = 5.22Å
β = 107.58°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.1 : 1 : 0.609
Unit Cell Volume:V 402.15 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Crystal Atlas:
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Jadeite - Tabular {100}
Jadeite - Prismatic {110}

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X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data: Peaks:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Jadeite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.654 - 1.673 nβ = 1.659 - 1.679 nγ = 1.667 - 1.693
2V:Measured: 70° to 80°, Calculated: 68° to 78°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.013 - 0.020

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:r < v

Chemical Properties of Jadeite

Formula:
Na(Al,Fe
3+
 
)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
Essential elements:Al, Na, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Al, Fe, Na, O, Si
Common Impurities:Ti,Mn,Mg,Ca,K,H2O

Relationship of Jadeite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
9.DA.05Donpeacorite
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)Mg[SiO
 
3
]
 
2
9.DA.05Enstatite
Mg
 
2
[SiO
 
3
]
 
2
9.DA.05Ferrosilite
Fe
 
2
[SiO
 
3
]
 
2
9.DA.05Akimotoite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)SiO
 
3
9.DA.10Clinoenstatite
Mg
 
2
[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.10Clinoferrosilite
Fe
2+
 
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.10Kanoite
Mn
2+
 
(Mg,Mn
2+
 
)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.10Pigeonite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
,Ca)(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.15Augite
(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe
2+
 
,Al,Fe
3+
 
,Ti)[(Si,Al)
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.15Diopside
CaMg[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.15Esseneite
CaFe
3+
 
[AlSiO
 
6
]
9.DA.15Hedenbergite
CaFe
2+
 
[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.15Johannsenite
CaMn
2+
 
[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.15Petedunnite
Ca(Zn,Mn
2+
 
,Mg,Fe
2+
 
)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.20Aegirine-augite
(Na,Ca)(Fe,Fe,Mg,Al)Si
 
2
O
 
6
9.DA.20Omphacite
(Ca,Na)(Mg,Al)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.25Aegirine
NaFe
3+
 
[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.25Jervisite
(Na,Ca,Fe
2+
 
)(Sc,Mg,Fe
2+
 
)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.25Kosmochlor
NaCr[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.25Namansilite
NaMn
3+
 
[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.25Natalyite
Na(V
3+
 
,Cr)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
9.DA.30Spodumene
LiAl[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
16.2.1Albite
Na[AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
16.2.2Analcime
Na
 
2
[Al
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
12
] · 2H
 
2
O
16.2.3Ussingite
Na
 
2
AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
OH
16.2.4Paragonite
NaAl
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|AlSi
 
3
O
 
10
]
16.2.5Natrolite
Na
 
2
[Al
 
2
Si
 
3
O
 
10
] · 2H
 
2
O
16.2.6Tetranatrolite
16.2.7Paranatrolite
Na
 
2
Al
 
2
Si
 
3
O
 
10
·3H
 
2
O
16.2.8Ephesite
NaLiAl
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
10
]
16.2.9Rectorite
(Na,Ca)Al
 
4
(Si,Al)
 
8
O
 
20
(OH)
 
4
·2H
 
2
O
16.2.11Brammallite
Na
 
0.65
Al
 
2.0
ٱAl
 
0.65
Si
 
3.35
O
 
10
(OH)
 
2

Other Names for Jadeite

Synonyms:
Yunnan Jade
French names:
Agate verdâtre
German names:
JadeitNatronjadeit
Russian names:
Жадеит
Spanish names:
Jadeita
Varieties:
ChromojadeiteSoda JadeiteTitanian Jadeite

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Jadeite

Reference List:Prewitt, C.T. & Charles Wilson Burnham (1964), Crystal structure of jadeite, NaAlSi2O6 (abstract): Geological Society of America Program, Miami, Florida, meeting: 156, November 1964.

Prewitt, C.T. & Charles Wilson Burnham (1966), The crystal structure of jadeite, NaAlSi2O6. American Mineralogist: 51: 956-975.

Clark, J.R., D.E. Appleman, and J.J. Papike (1969) Crystal-chemical characterization of clinopyroxenes based on eight new structure refinements. MSA Special Paper 2: 31-50.

Cameron, M., S. Shigeho, C.T. Prewitt & J.J. Papike (1973), High temperature crystal chemistry of acmite, diopside, hedenbergite, jadeite, spodumene and ureyite: American Mineralogist: 58: 594-618.

Rossi, G., Smith, D.C., Ungaretti, L., and Domeneghetti, M.C. (1983) Crystal-chemistry and cation ordering in the system diopside-jadeite: a detailed study by crystal structure refinement. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology: 83: 247-258.

Canadian Mineralogist (1989): 27: 143.

Internet Links for Jadeite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Jadeite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Jadeite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Jadeite

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Brazil
     
    • Northeast Region
      • Pernambuco
        • São Pedro and São Paulo archipel
    Washington, H.S. (1929) The American Mineralogist, 14, 369-372.
    • Southeast Region
      • Minas Gerais
    Chris D. Parkinson et al. , " Ultrahigh-pressure pyrope-kyanite granulites and associated eclogites in Neoproterozoic nappes of southeast Brazil", 2001, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, http://akmotoki.tripod.com/2001/Waseda/Cdp.html
    Chris D. Parkinson et al. , " Ultrahigh-pressure pyrope-kyanite granulites and associated eclogites in Neoproterozoic nappes of southeast Brazil", 2001, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, http://akmotoki.tripod.com/2001/Waseda/Cdp.html
    Burma (Myanmar)
    C.R.Acad.Sci.Paris (1863) 56, 861
    C.R.Acad.Sci.Paris (1863) 56, 861
    • Kachin State
      • Myitkyina-Mogaung District
        • Phakant (Hpakan; Hpakant; Phakan)
    • Mandalay Division
      • Sagaing District
        • Mogok
    No reference listed
    Canada
     
    • Newfoundland and Labrador
      • Labrador
    • Québec
      • Grenville Province
    C. Lemanski, Jr. (re-entry of lost Mindat data).
    China
     
    • Anhui Province
      • Anqing Prefecture
        • Qianshan Co.
    American Mineralogist, Volume 87, pages 875-881, 2002, KAI YE et al. "Ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) low-Al titanites from carbonate-bearing rocks in Dabieshan-Sulu UHP terrane, eastern China".
        • Susong Co.
    www.scienceinchina.com/ky/0008/ky0748.pdf.
        • Yuexi Co.
          • Wumiao
    A.I. Okay et al. , Eur. J. Mineral. , 1989, 1, pp. 595-598.
            • Marble quarry
      • Lu'an Prefecture
        • Shou Co.
    Am. Min. , V 90, pp. 801-813, 2005 / Journal of Petrology, June 2004, V 45, N° 6, pp. 1125-1145.
    • Jiangsu Province
      • Lianyungang Prefecture
        • Donghai Co.
    Oberti, R., Boiocchi, M., and Smith, D.C. (2003): Mineralogical Magazine 67(4), 769-782.
    • Xinjiang (Xinjiang-Uygur) Autonomous Region
      • Bayin'gholin (Bayingolin; Bayinguoleng) Autonomous Prefecture
        • Ruoqiang (Qakilik; Chaqiliq) Co.
          • Yinggelisayi area
    Zhang Anda, Liu Liang, Sun Yong, Chen Danling, Wang Yan, and Luo Jinhai (2004): Chinese Science Bulletin 49(23), 2527-2532.
      • Yili Hasake (Ili Kazakh) Autonomous Prefecture
    Wei Lin and Masaki Enami (2006): Island Arc 15(4), 483-502.
    France
     
    • Pays de Loire
    www.scienceinchina.com/ky/0008/ky0748.pdf.
    • Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
      • Hautes-Alpes
        • Guillestre
          • Château Queyras
    Germany
     
    • Saxony
      • Erzgebirge
        • Pockau
          • Forchheim
    Massonne, H.-J. & Nasdala, L. (2003): American Mineralogist (2003), 88, 883-889
    Greece
     
    • Aegean Islands (Aiyaíon) Department
      • Kykládes Prefecture
        • Cyclade Islands (Cyclades; Kikladhes; Nomos Kikladhon)
          • Sifnos Island
    Eur. J. Mineral. , 1992, 4, pp. 619-634.
    Eur. J. Mineral. , 1992, 4, pp. 619-634.
    • Peloponnese (Peloponnisos) Department
      • Lakonia (Laconia) Prefecture
    Eur. J. Mineral. , 1991, 3, pp. 343-366.
    Guatemala
     
    • Jalapa Department
    • Motagua Valley
    Indonesia
     
    • Papua Province (Irian Jaya Province)
      • West Irian Jaya
    [var: Chromojadeite] www.websters-dictionary-online.org/definition/english/as/astridite.html
    Italy
     
    • Aosta Valley
      • Nus
        • Saint-Barthélemy
    • Barresi, A.A., Kolitsch, U., Ciriotti, M.E., Ambrino, P., Bracco, R., Bonacina, E. (2005): La miniera di manganese di Varenche (Aosta, Italia nord-occidentale): ardennite, arseniopleite, manganberzeliite, pirofanite, sarkinite, thortveitite, nuovo As-Sc-analogo della metavariscite e altre specie. Micro (località), 2/2005, 81-122.
      • Pont Saint-Martin
    Ch. Robert et al. , Bull. Minéral. , 1985, 108, pp. 699-711.
      • Saint-Marcel
    Kienast, J.R. & Martin, S. (1983): I pirosseni egirin-giadeitici del livello basale di Praborna, Alpi occidentali. Ofioliti, 8(2), 245-260.
    • Liguria
      • Genova Province
        • Genova
          • Varenna Valley
    Antofilli, Borgo, Palenzona, 1985. I nostri minerali. Geologia e mineralogia in Liguria. Edizioni Melita, La Spezia.
    Antofilli, Borgo, Palenzona, 1985. I nostri minerali. Geologia e mineralogia in Liguria. Edizioni Melita, La Spezia.
    • Piedmont
      • Cuneo Province
        • Dora Maira Massif
          • Varaita Valley
    R. Lefèvre and A. Michard, Bull. Soc. Franç. Minér. Crist., 1965, LXXXVIII, pp. 664-677.
    T. Hirajima and R. Compagnoni : "Petrology of a jadeite-quartz-almandine-phengite fels with retrograde ferro-nyböite from the Dora-Maira Massif, Western Alps", Eur. Journ. Mineral., 1993, 5, pp 943-955.
    http://www.ngu.no/FileArchive/165/2003_055.pdf Geological Survey of Norway / The Alice Wain Memorial West Norway Eclogite Field Symposium / Abstract Volume p. 37.
        • Maira Valley
    Piccoli, G. C., Maletto, G., Bosio, P., & Lombardo, B. (2007). Minerali del Piemonte e della Valle d'Aosta. Associazione Amici del Museo F. Eusebio - Alba, 607 pag.
        • Varaita Valley
          • Bellino
    R. Lefèvre and A. Michard, Bull. Soc. Franç. Minér. Crist., 1965, LXXXVIII, pp. 664-677.
      • Torino Province
        • Sesia-Lanzo zone
          • Cuorgnè
    Ch. Robert et al. , Bull. Minéral. , 1985, 108, pp. 699-711.
          • Lanzo Valley
            • Lanzo Massif
              • Balangero - Corio area
                • Malone Valley
    Eur. J. Mineral. , 1989, 1, pp. 89-104.
    Eur. J. Mineral (1989): 1: 89-104.
            • Rocca Canavese
              • Orco Valley
    Eur. J. Mineral. , 1989, 1, pp. 89-104.
    Eur. J. Mineral. , 1989, 1, pp. 89-104.
              • Soana valley
    Eur. J. Mineral (1989): 1: 89-104.
    Eur. J. Mineral. , 1989, 1, pp. 89-104.
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Chubu Region
        • Niigata Prefecture
    [var: Titanian Jadeite] [MinRec 33:168]
    Lapis (2003): (1), 50.
            • Ohmi
    Miyajima et al. (2001) Mineralogical Magazine 65, 111-120; Miyajima et al. (1999) Mineralogical Magazine 63, 909-916.
      • Chugoku region
        • Okayama prefecture
          • Ohsa-cho
    • Kyushu Island
      • Kumamoto Prefecture
        • Yatsushiro City
    Saito, M. & Miyazaki, K. (2006) Bulletin of the Geological Survey of Japan, 57, #5-6.
    • Shikoku Island
      • Kochi Prefecture
        • Kochi City
    Fossa Magna Museum, Itoigawa city (map and poster display)
    Kazakhstan
     
    [MinRec 32:42]
    Norway
     
    • Sogn og Fjordane
      • Selje
    Pacific Ocean
     
    • East Pacific Rise
    Contr. Min. Petr. (1998) 131, (2-3), 111 - 122.
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Khakassia Republic (Khakassy Republic; Khakassiya Republic)
      • Saha Republic (Sakha Republic; Yakutia)
    [World of Stones 12:49]
    • Western-Siberian Region
      • Tyumenskaya Oblast'
        • Polar Urals
    [MinRec 32:42]
          • Kharp
    Slovakia
     
    • Banská Bystrica Region
      • Western Slovenské Rudohorie Mts
    Koděra et all.,1990: Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, I-III, 1590p
    • Košice Region
      • Eastern Slovenské Rudohorie Mts
    Koděra, M. et al., 1986 a 1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel 1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590k
    Spain
     
    • Galicia
      • A Coruña (La Coruña)
        • Malpica
          • La Pioza
    J.I. Gil Ibarguchi, Eur. Journ. Mineral. , 1995, 7, pp. 403-415.
    Switzerland
     
    • Wallis (Valais)
    American Mineralogist, Volume 90, pages 821–835, 2005
        • Saas Valley
          • Saas Almagell
    Christian Bracke Collection
    USA
     
    • California
        • Cloverdale
    www.mineralsocal.org
      • Monterey Co.
        • Big Sur
          • Cape San Martin
    www.mineralsocal.org
      • San Benito Co.
        • New Idria District
    T. Tsujimori et al., Paper N° 21-6, The Geological Society of America, Joint Meeting Cordilleran Section and Pacific Section, 101st Annual Meeting, 29 April-1 May 2005, San Jose, California.
    www.mineralsocal.org
      • Santa Clara Co.
        • Diablo Range
      • Sonoma Co.
    Harvard Museum of Natural History, no.124675
    A Listing of North Carolina Minerals- Leonard S. Wiener and Sigrid Ballew-1995
      • Mitchell Co.
        • Cane Creek Section
    Thetmobarometry of Eclogites from the Eastern Blue Ridge North Carolina,Paper No.105-0,Essene,E.J,Mukasa, S.B.University of Michigan
    • Oklahoma
    Jay Ellis Ransom,1974,Gems and Minerals of America
    Jay Ellis Ransom,1974,Gems and Minerals of America
    • South Dakota
    Jay Ellis Ransom,1974, Gems and Minerals of America
    • Washington
      • Skagit Co.
    www.stonetrails.com
        • Mount Vernon
    Rocks & Min.: 14:112-113.
      • Snohomish Co.
    Minerals of Washington, Bart Cannon, 1975
    Uzbekistan
     
    • Buxoro (Bukhara) Viloyati
    www.meteoriticalsociety.org/bulletin/mb89preview.pdf.
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
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