Feature
Gems & Gemology, Spring 1987, Vol. 23, No. 1
A Study of the General Electric Synthetic Jadeite
Kurt Nassau and James E. Shigley
The gemological properties of synthetic green and lavender jadeite, which has been manufactured by the General Electric Company on an experimental basis, are summarized. The synthetic jadeites examined appear as flattened or rounded disks that have indices of refraction of about 1.66 and specific gravities of 3.28-3.34. They are also similar in many other respects to natural jadeites, except for a slightly greater hardness (
-8) and differences in luster, translucency, and appearance. The synthetic jadeites are the result of an experimental study, and at present there are no plans for commercial production.
