Not All Jade Is the Same: Jadeite vs. Nephrite Explained
- Keith Jennings
- Apr 7
- 4 min read
Learn the key differences between jadeite and nephrite, and why it matters when identifying, valuing, or selling any piece labeled as "jade."
In collections, antique shops, and even modern jewelry stores, the word jade gets used often, but not always correctly. Many green, polished stones are labeled as jade, but that term actually refers to two very different materials: jadeite and nephrite.
This isn’t just a semantic issue. These stones differ in mineral composition, value, history, and how they’re typically used. According to our in-house appraiser Keith Jennings, who has over 40 years of experience evaluating art, “Understanding what you’re holding makes all the difference when it comes to value, especially in estate and family collections.”
Table of Contents
What Is Jade, Really?
As explained by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gem Society (IGS), the word "jade" is a name that applies to two distinct minerals:
Jadeite is a dense, fine-grained pyroxene mineral. It’s slightly harder than nephrite, typically ranging from 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. It takes a high polish and often shows bright, saturated colors with a glassy translucency—most famously the rich, vibrant green known as Imperial jade. Today, jadeite is the material most often seen in high-end jewelry.
Nephrite belongs to the amphibole group and has a fibrous internal structure. It’s slightly softer (6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale) and usually appears more waxy or opaque. Nephrite comes in a broad range of colors—white, green, gray, brown, and black—and is prized for its toughness and workability. Most historic Chinese jade carvings prior to the Qing Dynasty were nephrite.
“Jadeite is often used for jewelry,” Keith explains. “Nephrite shows up in snuff bottles, small carvings, and older Chinese decorative pieces. You’ll see everything from milky white to deep emerald, and even black.”
He notes that jadeite only entered Chinese use around the 18th century, whereas nephrite had already been valued for thousands of years. That history plays a key role in how these materials are understood and priced.
Jadeite vs. Nephrite: Side-by-Side Comparison
Feature | Jadeite | Nephrite |
Mineral Group | Pyroxene | Amphibole |
Hardness (Mohs) | 6.5 – 7 | 6 – 6.5 |
Transparency | Completely opaque to semi-transparent | Opaque to translucent |
Color Range | Green, lavender, white, black, orange | Dark green, yellow, brown, black, gray, white |
Most Valued Color | Emerald green (Imperial jade) | Solid white (mutton fat jade) |
Typical Use | Fine jewelry | Carvings, decorative arts |
Market Value | Generally higher | Lower, but can be highly valuable as well |
Why the Difference Matters
From an appraisal perspective, jadeite and nephrite are approached very differently. With jadeite, the value lies mainly in the quality of the stone—color, clarity, and translucency. A vivid green, translucent jadeite bangle can easily sell for six figures at auction. Keith notes, “For jadeite, collectors are looking at the stone’s purity and saturation. A perfect Imperial green is like an unflawed emerald.”
With nephrite, the story is different. “The value is in the carving,” Keith says. “It’s about craftsmanship, detail, and age. Some of the most valuable nephrite pieces are early dynasty works, that is if you have provenance.”
Jade is hard to carve cleanly, so artisans traditionally used abrasive wheels and water, grinding the stone slowly with powdered minerals. That’s why high-quality jadeite and nephrite carvings have a soft, refined feel—no sharp edges, no harsh points. “A good nephrite carving feels smooth in your hand. It’s satisfying to hold,” Keith adds.
Jade Treatments and Fakes
One of the biggest issues with jade in the market today is treatment and misrepresentation. Jadeite is frequently chemically bleached and polymer-filled to improve its clarity or color. These are referred to as Type B jade. When dye is added to enhance color, it becomes Type C. Some stones are both treated and dyed, making them Type B+C. Type A jadeite refers to natural, untreated material, which commands significantly higher value.
“There’s a ton of dyed jadeite out there,” Keith explains. “You can’t always see it, but it changes everything about the value.”
In addition to treatments, there are many fakes made from serpentine, bowenite (a type of serpentine), dyed quartz, or glass. These materials can resemble jade visually but don’t have the same properties or market value.
One quick tip Keith offers is to listen for the ring: “Real untreated jade, whether jadeite or nephrite, will give off a bell-like sound when gently tapped against another piece. Dyed or treated material won’t. It’s not a foolproof method, but it’s a clue.”
Still, proper gemological testing is often necessary for certainty—especially for resale or donation purposes.
Why In-Person Inspection Is Essential
Appraising jade from photos is rarely reliable. Color and translucency are hard to capture accurately in images, and surface treatments or internal fractures may go unnoticed.
“In-person, I can look for signs of dye, test weight and balance, and sometimes even feel how the carving was done,” Keith says. “That’s not something you can see in a photo, especially with older pieces.”
If you're dealing with a family collection or an inherited piece labeled as jade, having it inspected by an expert who has worked with jade firsthand is crucial.
Work with Someone Who Knows Jade
Jade isn’t just about gem identification—it’s about market context, craftsmanship, and cultural value. A mass-produced modern bangle and a centuries-old nephrite carving may look similar at first glance, but they couldn’t be more different in terms of value.
Keith emphasizes that “Knowing the material is only part of it. You have to know how it was used, when it was made, how it fits into collector trends, and what the current market looks like.”
A qualified appraiser should be able to identify not just jadeite or nephrite, but also assess carving quality, recognize common fakes, and factor in provenance, historical relevance, and demand.
What We Offer
We appraise jade carvings, jewelry, and decorative objects with the level of detail these materials demand. Keith brings decades of hands-on experience evaluating jade across all eras, from early Chinese nephrite to contemporary jadeite jewelry. Every appraisal includes physical inspection, market analysis, and context you can trust.
Whether you're cataloging an estate, preparing for donation, or simply curious about something in your collection, we can help you understand what you have and what it’s worth. Contact us today.
