Nephrite
A rock classification type
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About Nephrite
Name:
"The name nephrite is derived from lapis nephriticus, which in turn is derived from Greek λίθος νεφριτικός; νεφρός λίθος, which means 'kidney stone' and is the Latin and Greek version of the Spanish piedra de ijada (the origin of jade and jadeite). Accordingly, nephrite jade was once believed to be a cure for kidney stones." (Wikipedia)
Nephrite is a rock comprising mostly massive microcrystalline to cryptocrystalline felted amphiboles of the tremolite - actinolite series.
Nephrite is one of the two rocks termed as jade, the other being jadeitite = jadeite jade, consisting mostly of jadeite (although the term fei cui jade is now preferred as the pyroxene composition may also include omphacite and/or kosmochlor. Both are extremely tough and resistant to fracture such that they have been used for making choppers and blades since Neolithic times.
In addition to amphibole, nephrite can contain minor to trace amounts of diopside, grossularitic garnet, magnetite, chromite, graphite, apatite, rutile, pyrite, datolite, vesuvianite, prehnite, talc, the serpentine polymorphs and titanite.
White nephrite, termed white jade or mutton-fat jade, is nearly pure tremolite, while most nephrite is green owing to the Fe content in actinolite. Chromium colors nephrite emerald green (via a Na+-Cr3+ vs. Ca2+-Mg2+ substitution) and yellow to brown nephrite is stained by iron oxides and hydroxides introduced along grain boundaries.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Nephrite.
Nephrite is one of the two rocks termed as jade, the other being jadeitite = jadeite jade, consisting mostly of jadeite (although the term fei cui jade is now preferred as the pyroxene composition may also include omphacite and/or kosmochlor. Both are extremely tough and resistant to fracture such that they have been used for making choppers and blades since Neolithic times.
In addition to amphibole, nephrite can contain minor to trace amounts of diopside, grossularitic garnet, magnetite, chromite, graphite, apatite, rutile, pyrite, datolite, vesuvianite, prehnite, talc, the serpentine polymorphs and titanite.
White nephrite, termed white jade or mutton-fat jade, is nearly pure tremolite, while most nephrite is green owing to the Fe content in actinolite. Chromium colors nephrite emerald green (via a Na+-Cr3+ vs. Ca2+-Mg2+ substitution) and yellow to brown nephrite is stained by iron oxides and hydroxides introduced along grain boundaries.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Nephrite.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2881
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2881:9
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
9ec11e01-d5cd-4afe-8003-60a5f8a85882
Classification of Nephrite
Synonyms of Nephrite
Other Language Names for Nephrite
Varieties of Nephrite
| Black Nephrite Jade | A generic term referring to all nephrite jades of a black or nearly black colour, which is usually caused by microscopic inclusions of dark minerals, mainly graphite. |
| Hetian Jade | One of the classic Chinese jades. It consists almost entirely of tremolite, but may contain up to 5 wt.-% of impurities such as diopside, epidote, clinozoisite, olivine, dolomite, quartz, magnetite, pyrite, apatite, limonite and carbonaceous matter, which... |
| Kunlun Jade | One of the classic Chinese jades, also known as Qinghai Jade. It consists of actinolite and tremolite in varying proportions, and typically also contains minor wollastonite. The most valuable specimens have green-white patterns. This material has not to ... |
| Lantian Jade | A variety of tremolite jade (white jade), which varies in colour from white to yellow, gray, pale blue and light green. The colours are due to inclusions of iron oxides (yellow), graphite (grey), and chlorite, epidote or serpentine group minerals (pale bl... |
| Manasi Jade | A green jade which consists mainly of tremolite with only minor actinolite. The green colour is caused by microscopic inclusions of green silicates, mainly chlorite and serpentine group minerals, and it frequently also contains diopside, grossular and chr... |
| Meiling Jade | A typical tremolite jade, which comes in a variety of colours ranging from white to grey. The white colour varieties are the most valuable ones. |
| Tremolite Jade | A generic term, referring to all varieties of nephrite which consist mainly of tremolite. While all white jades are tremolite jades, not all tremolite jades are white. Hetian Jade, Manasi Jade and Meiling Jade, which are typical representatives of tremoli... |
| White Jade | Tremolite jades with a low content of impurities are termed white jades. They typically are white or nearly so and generally are the most valuable jades. |
| Xiuyan Jade | A green jade, which contains both tremolite and actinolite in varying proportions. Some varieties may also contain antigorite (Zhang, 2002). One of the classic Chinese jades. |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 13 photos of Nephrite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 7 photos of Nephrite associated with Chromite | Fe2+Cr3+2O4 |
| 6 photos of Nephrite associated with Tremolite | ◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2 |
| 5 photos of Nephrite associated with Opal | SiO2 · nH2O |
| 5 photos of Nephrite associated with Jade | |
| 4 photos of Nephrite associated with Ferro-actinolite-Tremolite Series | |
| 3 photos of Nephrite associated with Magnetite | Fe2+Fe3+2O4 |
| 2 photos of Nephrite associated with Williamsite | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 1 photo of Nephrite associated with Pyrolusite | Mn4+O2 |
| 1 photo of Nephrite associated with Actinolite | ◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2 |
Internet Links for Nephrite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2881.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
References for Nephrite
Reference List:
Localities for Nephrite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Afghanistan | |
| Ian Nicastro et al. (2020) |
Australia | |
| Hockley et al. (1978) |
| Flint et al. (1990) |
| J Townsend | |
| R Bottrill +1 other reference |
Austria | |
| G. Niedermayr et al. (1985) |
| Niedermayr (1985) | |
| Hiden (2000) +1 other reference |
Brazil | |
Canada | |
| GIA |
| Rocks & Minerals (xxxx) +6 other references |
| BC Minfile data | |
| Gold (vol 2, p. 94) +1 other reference | |
| BC MINFILE No 104I 083 | |
| GIA | |
| British Columbia Geological Survey +2 other references | |
| Richard Gunter Collection |
| Richard Gunter Collection | |
| Mason (1976) | |
| www.em.gov.bc.ca (n.d.) | |
| ... |
| ... | |
| P.J Sangster (2016) |
| Amabili et al. (2009) |
| Chamberlain +3 other references |
| Traill (1970) |
China | |
| Zhang et al. (2024) |
| Xu et al. (2022) |
| Xiaoxiao Ling et al. (2008) |
| Huabang Zhong (1995) +1 other reference |
| Wei et al. (2024) |
| Liangju Zhang (2002) +1 other reference |
| Ran Li et al. (2004) |
| Gong et al. (2023) |
| news.at0086.com (2009) +1 other reference | |
| Juanxia Zhang and Baoping Luo (2002) |
| Xiaofen Su et al. (2006) |
| Fang et al. (2024) |
| Jiang et al. (2023) | |
| Liang et al. (2022) | |
| Liang et al. (2022) | |
| Jiang +3 other references |
| Yanling Tang et al. (2002) |
| Wang et al. (2021) | |
| Yanling Tang (2005) | |
| Yanling Tang (2005) | |
| Yanling Tang et al. (2002) |
| Zheng et al. (2023) | |
| Mason (1976) | |
| Reuters (2007) +1 other reference | |
| Yanling Tang (2005) +1 other reference |
| Yanling Tang (2005) |
| Yanling Tang (2005) |
France | |
| Maurizot et al. (2020) |
| Maurizot et al. (2020) | |
Germany | |
| F. Müller: "Bayerns steinreiche Ecke" et al. (Hof) |
Italy | |
| Antofilli |
| Antofilli M. et al. (1983) |
| Dietrich et al. (1968) |
| Adamo et al. (2013) |
Japan | |
| Shi et al. (2012) |
| Petrov (n.d.) |
Mexico | |
Myanmar | |
New Zealand | |
| Cox (1882) |
| GIA | |
| Keverne (1991) | |
| Keverne (1991) |
| Ulrich (1890) |
| Keverne (1991) |
| Keverne (1991) | |
| GIA | |
| Keverne (1991) | |
| Johnston (1983) +1 other reference | |
Poland | |
| Gil et al. (2019) |
| Lis et al. (1986) |
| Lis et al. (1986) |
| Szełęg +1 other reference |
| Lis et al. (1986) | |
| Lis et al. (1986) | |
| Lis et al. (1986) |
| Lis et al. (1986) |
| Eligiusz Szełęg collection +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Wang et al. (2021) |
| Andrey Gorshkov collection (2023) +1 other reference | |
| Wang et al. (2021) | |
| Wang et al. (2021) | |
| Khudyakova +3 other references |
| Khudyakova +3 other references | |
| Khudyakova +3 other references | |
| Mason (1976) +1 other reference |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) | |
| Tatarinov et al. (2021) |
| He et al. (2023) | |
| Kislov et al. (2021) |
South Korea | |
| Alvin E. Nieder (1982) +2 other references |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Staub (1916) +5 other references |
| Schmidt (1917) +2 other references | |
| Staub (1916) +1 other reference | |
| Gross (1963) +4 other references | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) | |
Taiwan | |
| Wan et al. (1984) +1 other reference |
| |
Ukraine | |
| Cuney et al. (2012) |
USA | |
| - (2008) |
| Mason (1976) +1 other reference |
| - (2008) |
| - (2008) | |
| - (2008) | |
| - (2008) | |
| - (2008) |
| Pelletier |
| …California Division Mines Special ... +4 other references |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 397. +2 other references |
| Anonymous (O.E.B.) +1 other reference | |
| - (2005) | |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 390. +3 other references |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 397. +2 other references |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 397. +2 other references | |
| Murdoch (1966) +1 other reference | |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 397. +2 other references | |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 397. +2 other references |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 397-398. +7 other references |
| Crippen et al. (1949) +1 other reference |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 397-398. +4 other references |
| Rogers (1940) +1 other reference |
| Mason (1976) | |
| Murdoch (1966) |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 398. +2 other references | |
| Murdoch (1966) | |
| Rob Lavinsky photo |
| Perry (1980) |
| Murdoch (1966) |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 399. +3 other references |
| Anonymous (1950) +3 other references |
| Samuel Robinson (1825) +1 other reference |
| Rocks & Minerals 54:4 pp161-165 |
| The Minerals and Gemstones of Nebraska ... |
| The Minerals and Gemstones of Nebraska ... |
| The Minerals and Gemstones of Nebraska ... | |
| The Minerals and Gemstones of Nebraska ... |
| The Minerals and Gemstones of Nebraska ... |
| The Minerals and Gemstones of Nebraska ... |
| The Minerals and Gemstones of Nebraska ... | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Rocks & Min.: 4:80. |
| Phyllis Richardson |
| Rocks & Min.: 17:344. |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| www.stonetrails.com | |
| Rocks & Min.: 14:112-113. | |
| Cannon (1975) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Mason (1976) | |
| W. Dan Hausel (1994) |
| W. Dan Hausel (1994) | |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:384 | |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:385 |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:386 |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:386 | |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:386 | |
| Osterwald (1952) +1 other reference | |
| Rocks & Minerals (2001) | |
| Osterwald (1952) +1 other reference | |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:386 |
| Patricia Renz specimen |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:388 | |
| - (2005) |
Vietnam | |
| Nguyôn et al. (2005) |
| Nguyôn et al. (2005) |
Zimbabwe | |
|
Onot river, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia