Nephrite
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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.
Classification of Nephrite
Rock ➔ Metamorphic rock ➔ High-grade metamorphic rock ➔ Jade ➔ Nephrite
Other Names for Nephrite
Name in Other Languages:
References for Nephrite
Reference List:
Ronzio, A.R. and Salmon, M. (1970) Trace elements in jade. Gems and Minerals: 389: 24-25, 45.
Zhenhua Zhou and Jiarui Feng (2010): A petrological and mineralogical comparison between Xinjiang nephrite and Xiuyan nephrite. Acta Petrologica et Mineralogica 29(3), 331-340.
Zhenhua Zhou and Jiarui Feng (2010): A petrological and mineralogical comparison between Xinjiang nephrite and Xiuyan nephrite. Acta Petrologica et Mineralogica 29(3), 331-340.
Internet Links for Nephrite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2881.html
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Localities for Nephrite
This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the 
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(TL) indicates type locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) indicates first recorded locality for everything else. ? 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.
Australia | |
| Hockley, J. J., Birch, W. D., & Worner, H. K. (1978). A nephrite deposit in the Great Serpentine belt of New South Wales. Journal of the Geological Society of Australia, 25(5-6), 249-254. |
| Flint, D. J., & Dubowski, E. A. (1990). Cowell nephrite jade deposits. Geology of the mineral deposits of Australia and Papua New Guinea, 2, 1059-1062. |
| J Townsend | |
| R Bottrill, unpub.data; Bottrill, R.S., (2015) unpub consultant report, Mineral Resources Tasmania |
Austria | |
| G. Niedermayr, W. Postl, F. Walter: Carinthia II 175./95.:235-252 (1985) |
Canada | |
| Rocks & Min.:60(1):11.; Simandl, G.J. (2009): Nonmetallic minerals other than coal: Industrial minerals, gemstones and aggregate in British Columbia, Canada; British Columbia Geological Survey, Paper 2009‐2, pages. |
| Hudson, R. (2006); Gold, Gemstone & Mineral Sites of British Colubia (vol 2, p. 94) | |
| Simandl, G.J. (2009): Nonmetallic minerals other than coal: Industrial minerals, gemstones and aggregate in British Columbia, Canada; British Columbia Geological Survey, Paper 2009‐2, pages. | |
| Richard Gunter Collection |
| Richard Gunter Collection | |
| http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/cf/minfile/search/search.cfm?mode=capbib&minfilno=092JNE065 | |
| www.em.gov.bc.ca/cf/minfile/search/search.cfm?mode=capbib&minfilno=093N%20%20043 |
| www.em.gov.bc.ca/cf/minfile/search/search.cfm?mode=capbib&minfilno=093N%20%20064 | |
| Amabili, M., Spertini, F., Auguste, M. B., and Bonin, G., (2009) Famous Mineral Localities: The Lac D'Amiante Mine, Back Lake, Thetford Mines, Quebec. Mineralogical Record 40(4) 297-304. |
| Grice, J.D., Williams, R. 1979. The Jeffrey mine, Asbestos, Québec. The Mineralogical Record, volume 10, pp 69-80 Chamberlain, S. C., 1980. Wollastonite, Vesuvianite, native copper and Diopside from the Jeffrey Mine in Asbestos, Quebec, Canada. Rock and Mineral, volume 55, pp 188 - 191 Amabili, M., Miglioli, M., 2000. Granati: nuoviri ritrovamenti nelle miniere di Asbestos e Thetford Mines. Rivista Mineralogica Italiana., no. 2, avril-mai 2000. (en italien avec résumé en anglais) Spertini, F., 2001. La mine Jeffrey, Asbestos, Québec, Canada. Le Règne Minéral, Numéro 37, pp 11 - 34 Amabili, M., Miglioli, M., Spertini, F. 2004. Recent discoveries at the Jeffrey mine, Asbestos, Québec., The Mineralogical Record, Volume 35, no. 2, pp 123 - 135 |
| Traill, R. J., 1970, A Catalogue of Canadian Minerals |
China | |
| Xiaoxiao Ling, Ruihua Wu, Feng Bai, Jiangning Yin, and Wenwen Li (2008): Acta Petrologica et Mineralogica 27(2), 157-163 |
| Huabang Zhong (1995): Jiangsu Geology 19(3), 176-178; Mingyue He, Younan Zhu, and Hongbo Li(2002): Acta Petrologica et Mineralogica 21(s1), 99-104 |
| Liangju Zhang (2002): Acta Mineralogica Sinica 22(3), 137-142. |
| Ran Li, Zongting Liao, Yujia Li, and Zhengyu Zhou (2004): Journal of Gems & Gemmology 6(1), 17-19 |
| http://news.at0086.com/China-Mountain-River-Tours/Shopping-in-Qinghai.html |
| Juanxia Zhang and Baoping Luo (2002): Geology of Shaanxi 12(2), 75-80 |
| Xiaofen Su, Kaicai Zhou, Lijian Qi, and Xiangli Qian (2006): China Mining Magazine 15(5), 73-75 |
| Yanling Tang, Dequan Liu, and Ruhong Zhou (2002): Acta Petrologica et Mineralogica 21(s1), 22-25 |
| Yanling Tang (2005): Non-metallic deposits of Xinjiang, China [Zhongguo Xinjiang Fei Jinshu Kuangchuang]. Geological Publishing House (Beijing), 289 pp. | |
| Yanling Tang (2005): Non-metallic deposits of Xinjiang, China [Zhongguo Xinjiang Fei Jinshu Kuangchuang]. Geological Publishing House (Beijing), 289 pp. | |
| Yanling Tang, Dequan Liu, and Ruizhong Zhou (2002): Acta Petrologica et Mineralogica 21(s1), 13-21 |
| Reuters (2007): China orders crackdown on rush for rare white jade, October 30, 2007 | |
| Yanling Tang (2005): Non-metallic deposits of Xinjiang, China [Zhongguo Xinjiang Fei Jinshu Kuangchuang]. Geological Publishing House (Beijing), 289 pp. |
| Yanling Tang (2005): Non-metallic deposits of Xinjiang, China [Zhongguo Xinjiang Fei Jinshu Kuangchuang]. Geological Publishing House (Beijing), 289 pp. |
| Yanling Tang (2005): Non-metallic deposits of Xinjiang, China [Zhongguo Xinjiang Fei Jinshu Kuangchuang]. Geological Publishing House (Beijing), 289 pp. |
Germany | |
| F. Müller: "Bayerns steinreiche Ecke", 2nd ed., Oberfränkische Verlagsanstalt und Druckerei GmbH (Hof), 1984 |
Italy | |
| Antofilli, Borgo, Palenzona, 1985. I nostri minerali. Geologia e mineralogia in Liguria. Edizioni Melita, La Spezia. |
| Antofilli M., Borgo E., Palenzona A. (1983): I Nostri Minerali. Geologia e Mineralogia in Liguria. Sagep, Ed., Genova, 295 pp. |
Japan | |
| Shi, G., Harlow, G. E., Wang, J., Wang, J., Ng, E., Wang, X., ... & Cui, W. (2012). Mineralogy of jadeitite and related rocks from Myanmar: a review with new data. European Journal of Mineralogy, 24(2), 345-370. |
| Alfredo Petrov, field collected specimens |
New Zealand | |
| Beck, R. (1991). Jade in the South Pacific. In Jade (pp. 221-258). Springer US. |
| Johnston, M. R. (1983). Nephrite in the Pounamu Formation, McArthur Crags, Olderog Creek, Arahura Valley, Westland. Industrial rocks and minerals, 8, 5-8. | |
| Cox, H. S. (1882). Notes on the mineralogy of New Zealand. New Zealand Institute. |
| Ulrich, G. H. F. (1890). On the Discovery, Mode of Occurrence, and Distribution of the Nickel-iron Alloy Awaruite, on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society, 46(1-4), 619-NP. |
Poland | |
| Szełęg, E., Galuskina, I. 2010: Mineralogy of Lower Silesia, Poland. Acta Mineralogica-Petrographica, Field Guide Series, Vol. 17, 1–15. |
| Eligiusz Szełęg collection; Gil, G., Barnes, J. D., Boschi, C., Gunia, P., Raczyński, P., Szakmány, G., ... & Péterdi, B. (2015). Nephrite from Złoty Stok (Sudetes, SW Poland): Petrological, Geochemical, and Isotopic Evidence for a Dolomite-related Origin. The Canadian Mineralogist, 53(3), 533-556. |
Russia | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov data |
South Korea | |
| Alvin E. Nieder (1982) Nephrite jade in the Republic of Korea. Lapidary Journal, March 1982, 2374-2380. |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Verlag Wepf & Co. (Basel), p. 25 |
| Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Wepf (Basel), p. 412.; Romani E. (2000): Andar per cristalli - Tesori nascosti. Centro studi del Museo mineralogico naturalistico di Bormio, 151 p. |
| Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Verlag Wepf & Co. (Basel), p. 25 |
| Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Verlag Wepf & Co. (Basel), p. 25 | |
Taiwan | |
| Zhengzhang Tao (1992): Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology 13(4), 21-27; Wan, H. M., & Yeh, C. L. (1984). Uvarovite and grossular from the Fengtien nephrite deposits, eastern Taiwan. Mineralogical Magazine, 48(346), 31-37. |
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Ukraine | |
| Cuney, M., Emetz, A., Mercadier, J., Mykchaylov, V., Shunko, V., & Yuslenko, A. (2012). Uranium deposits associated with Na-metasomatism from central Ukraine: a review of some of the major deposits and genetic constraints. Ore Geology Reviews, 44, 82-106. |
USA | |
| U.S. Geological Survey, 2008, Alaska Resource Data File (ARDF): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1225. |
| U.S. Geological Survey, 2008, Alaska Resource Data File (ARDF): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1225. |
| U.S. Geological Survey, 2008, Alaska Resource Data File (ARDF): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1225. |
| U.S. Geological Survey, 2008, Alaska Resource Data File (ARDF): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1225. | |
| U.S. Geological Survey, 2008, Alaska Resource Data File (ARDF): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1225. | |
| U.S. Geological Survey, 2008, Alaska Resource Data File (ARDF): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1225. | |
| U.S. Geological Survey, 2008, Alaska Resource Data File (ARDF): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1225. |
| Pelletier, 1962. Mineral Species & Localities of Marin County |
| Chesterman, C.W. (1951), Nephrite in Marin County, California: (abstract) Geological Society of America Bulletin: 62: 1517; …California Division Mines Special Report 10-B: 3; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 66; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 397. |
| Evans, James R. (1966b) Nephrite jade in Mariposa County. California Division Mines and Geology Mineral Information Service: 19: 135-148; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 397. |
| Anonymous (O.E.B.) (1964), New jade deposit found by division: California Division of Mines and Geology, Mineral Information Service: 17: 21; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 66. | |
| USGS (2005), Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS): U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia, loc. file ID #10285136. | |
| Anonymous (1950), New jade occurrence in California: California Division of Mines, Mineral Information Service: 3(11): 2; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 66, 70, 309, 310; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 390. |
| Chesterman, C.W. (1952), Nephrite and associated rocks at Leech Lake Mountain, Mendocino County, California: Geological Society of America Bulletin: 63: 1323; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 397. |
| Chesterman, C.W. (1952), Nephrite and associated rocks at Leech Lake Mountain, Mendocino County, California: Geological Society of America Bulletin: 63: 1323; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 397. | |
| Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 390; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California: 409, 410. | |
| Chesterman, C.W. (1952), Nephrite and associated rocks at Leech Lake Mountain, Mendocino County, California: Geological Society of America Bulletin: 63: 1323; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 397. | |
| Chesterman, C.W. (1952), Nephrite and associated rocks at Leech Lake Mountain, Mendocino County, California: Geological Society of America Bulletin: 63: 1323; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 397. |
| Rogers, Austin Flint (1940), Nephrite jade from Monterey County, California (abstract): Geological Society of America Bulletin: 51: 1941; Crippen, R.A. (1951), Nephrite jade and associated rocks of the Cape Martin region, Monterey County, California: California Division Mines Special Report 10-A, 14 pp.: 3-14; Hart, E.W. (1966) Mines and mineral resources of Monterey County, California. California Division Mines and Geology County Report 5, 142 pp.: 43; Heinrich, G.I. (1969) Botryoidal jade in California. Gems and Minerals: 386: 42; Draper, J.W. (1969) Botryoidal jade of the California Coast. Lapidary Journal: 23: 682-686; Ronzio, A.R. and Salmon, M. (1970) Trace elements in jade. Gems and Minerals: 389: 24-25, 45; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 397-398. |
| Crippen, Richard A., Jr. (1949), Nephrite jade and associated rocks of the Cape San Martin region, Monterey County, California: 1-14; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 66. |
| Crippen, Richard A., Jr. (1949), Nephrite jade and associated rocks of the Cape San Martin region, Monterey County, California: (abstract) Geological Society of America Bulletin 60: 1938; […California Division Mines Special Report 10-A (1951)]: 1-14; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 66; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 397-398. |
| Rogers, Austin Flint (1940), Nephrite jade from Monterey County, California (abstract): Geological Society of America Bulletin: 51: 1941; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 66. |
| Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 66. |
| Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 66. |
| Saul, R.B., Evans, J.R., and Gray, C.H. (1970) Mines and mineral resources of Riverside County. California Division of Mines and Geology County Report 9. Unpublished manuscript: 267-268; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 398. | |
| Rob Lavinsky photo |
| Perry, L.E. (1980) Black jade in the Sidewinders. Rock & Gem 10, 7, p. 48-51. |
| Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 66. |
| Kraft, James L. (1947), Adventure in jade: 34, 35; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 66, 204; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 399. |
| Anonymous (1950), New jade occurrence in California: California Division of Mines, Mineral Information Service: 3(11): 2; Mineral Notes and News (1950), No. 150: 1; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 66; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California: 400. |
| Januzzi, 1976. Mineral Localities of CT and Southeastern NY State; Samuel Robinson (1825) A Catalogue of American Minerals, with their localities. Boston |
| Rocks & Minerals 54:4 pp161-165 |
| The Minerals and Gemstones of Nebraska CSD U Neb EC 2 |
| The Minerals and Gemstones of Nebraska CSD U Neb EC 2 |
| The Minerals and Gemstones of Nebraska CSD U Neb EC 2 | |
| The Minerals and Gemstones of Nebraska CSD U Neb EC 2 |
| The Minerals and Gemstones of Nebraska CSD U Neb EC 2 |
| The Minerals and Gemstones of Nebraska CSD U Neb EC 2 |
| The Minerals and Gemstones of Nebraska CSD U Neb EC 2 | |
| NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada |
| Rocks & Min.: 4:80. |
| Phyllis Richardson |
| Rocks & Min.: 17:344. |
| www.stonetrails.com |
| Rocks & Min.: 14:112-113. |
| Minerals of Washington, B. Cannon, 1975 |
| U.S. Geological Survey, (2005) Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia. |
| W. Dan Hausel (1994) Economic Geology of the Seminoe Mountains Mining District, Carbon County, Wyoming. Wyoming Geological Survey Report of Investigation 50. |
| W. Dan Hausel (1994) Economic Geology of the Seminoe Mountains Mining District, Carbon County, Wyoming. Wyoming Geological Survey Report of Investigation 50. | |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:384 | |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:385 |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:386 |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:386 | |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:386 | |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:387; Osterwald, F. W. and D. B. Osterwald (1952) Wyoming Mineral Resources. Wyoming Geological Survey Bulletin 45 | |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:387 | |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:387; Osterwald, F. W. and D. B. Osterwald (1952) Wyoming Mineral Resources. Wyoming Geological Survey Bulletin 45 | |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:386 |
| Patricia Renz specimen |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:388 | |
| U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia. |
Vietnam | |
| Nguyôn Kinh Quèc, Nguyôn Quúnh Anh () Aquamarine, Beryl And Possibility Of Finding Emerald And Alexandrite In Việt Nam. Generations, 41, 50-58. |
| Nguyôn Kinh Quèc, Nguyôn Quúnh Anh () Aquamarine, Beryl And Possibility Of Finding Emerald And Alexandrite In Việt Nam. Generations, 41, 50-58. | |
Zimbabwe | |
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Onot river, Eastern Sayan, Sayan Mts, Southern Siberia, Russia