Back to gem encyclopedia

Jade

“Jade” is a generic term for nephrite, jadeite, and under certain conditions green omphacite. In China, a pierced jade disk is a symbol of heaven.

See gem as
Polished
Rough

Tools

Research

Figure 1. A high-quality Russian white nephrite bracelet, measuring approximately 58 × 13 × 7 mm, with the orange peel effect observable in its reflective areas. Photo by Zuojiang Chen.

Characterization of “Orange Peel” Surface Microstructure of White Nephrite from Russia: A Unique Pseudomorph Pattern

Meiyu Shih, Guanghai Shi, and Biqian Xing, November 17, 2025

Examines correlations between surface microstructures and the orange peel effect in Russian white nephrite, proposing a formation model and revealing distinctive microfeatures specific to the material.

Figure 1. Pat Pannell, founder of Chick Boss, at the Colors of the Stone show. Photo by Loren Kayfetz.

Wearable Art Jewelry Supporting Families in Guatemala

Tao Hsu, June 5, 2025

Chick Boss, a small jewelry business based in Guatemala, gives back to the community.

Figure 2. Several Guatemalan jade pieces placed on a mirror to demonstrate the transparency of the material. Photo by Jennifer Stone-Sundberg; courtesy of Pillar & Stone.

Green Jadeite-Omphacite from Guatemala

Jennifer Stone-Sundberg, Aaron Palke, and Wim Vertriest, June 5, 2025

Bright green and nearly transparent jade from Guatemala, similar to jade from Myanmar, was available in Tucson.

Figure 1. Face-up view of the 23.71 × 9.67 × 2.59 mm jade carving. Photo by Diego Sanchez.

Metallic See-Through Backing on Omphacite Jade

Maxwell Hain, August 2, 2024

An unusual effect created by the backing on a jade carving is observed in the Carlsbad laboratory.

Figure 1. The rough Guatemalan jadeite jade sold by Yax Tun Minerals included blue, green, and lavender hues, with blue being the most prevalent. Photo by Tao Hsu; courtesy of Yax Tun Minerals.

Guatemalan Jadeite Jade: Rough and Finished

Tao Hsu, May 3, 2024

A wide range of Guatemalan jadeite jade in blue, green, and lavender hues was offered at the 22nd Street show in Tucson.

Figure 1. Guatemalan “ice jade” carving of a deer (2.3 cm diameter). Courtesy of T. Chen.

“Ice Jade” from Guatemala

Zhaoying Huang, Tao Chen, Jinyu Zheng, and Zebin Xu, May 3, 2024

Characterizes a translucent variety of jadeite jade from the Morales mine in Guatemala.

Figure 1. An omphacite jade pendant measuring 68.4 mm tall, shown in reflected light (left) and transmitted light (right). Photo by Tsung-Ying Yang.

A Unique Omphacite Jade Pendant

Shu-Hong Lin, Tsung-Ying Yang, Kai-Yun Huang, and Yu-Shan Chou, January 26, 2024

A carved jade pendant displaying both dark green omphacite and paragenetic yellow vesuvianite is examined.

Figure 1. Yongchuliao samples collected for testing. The rough sample on the left weighs 30.1 ct, and the carving on the right weighs 12.85 ct. Photos by Shilong Xu.

Blackish Green Omphacite Jade from Guatemala

Shilong Xu, Quanli Chen, Yan Li, and Xianyu Liu, November 3, 2023

A Guatemalan jade called yongchuliao has gained popularity among Chinese buyers.

Ortho-nephrite samples analyzed are from Nasławice, Jordanów, Siberia, British Columbia, and New Zealand.

Natural Radioactivity in Select Serpentinite-Related Nephrite Samples: A Comparison with Dolomite-Related Nephrite

Dariusz Malczewski, Michał Sachanbiński, and Maria Dziurowicz, August 23, 2022

Uses gamma-ray spectrometry to directly measure internal radioactivity in green nephrite from deposits in Poland, Russia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Green omphacite <i>fei cui</i> jade displaying chatoyancy.

Unusual Cat’s-Eye Omphacite Fei Cui Jade

Xiaoyu Lv, Bowen Zhao, and Xiaoying Lu, August 23, 2022

A unique jade cabochon with vivid green bodycolor and pronounced chatoyancy is examined at a lab in Shanghai.

This Month's

Featured Gems

Peridot

Found in lava, meteorites, and deep in the earth’s mantle, yellow-green peridot is the extreme gem.

Fancy Color Diamond

Dazzling brilliance. Captivating color. These are the planet’s most valued gems.

Diamond

Diamonds are among nature’s most precious and beautiful creations.

Emerald

Emerald is the bluish green to green variety of beryl, a mineral species that includes aquamarine.

Citrine

Citrine is the transparent, pale yellow to brownish orange variety of quartz.

View the Gem Encyclopedia

Jade

Research

Reviewed

Topics

Topics

Gemstones

Gemstones

Featured Gems

Peridot

Fancy Color Diamond

Diamond

Emerald

Citrine

Jade

Research

Reviewed

Topics

Topics

Gemstones

Gemstones

Featured Gems

Peridot

Fancy Color Diamond

Diamond

Emerald

Citrine

You Might Also Like

AJP®: New 5-Day Program Offered Worldwide

GIA NextGem™Diamond Trainingfor Retail

Explore GIA Laboratory Promotional Offers

Shop theGIA Store

AJP^®: New 5-Day Program Offered Worldwide

GIA NextGem™
Diamond Training
for Retail

Shop the
GIA Store