California Jade is a compact, massive variety of Vesuvianite that mimics the appearance of true jade in its texture and green coloration. It is primarily sought after by lapidary artists for carving and cabochons due to its high polish and attractive range of greens. It is almost exclusively found in association with serpentinite deposits in the mountains of California.
Is this california jade?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch california jade with a known reference. California Jade sits at Mohs 6.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. California Jade leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. California Jade typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, yellow-green, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
California Jade vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside california jade
Minerals reported to co-occur with california jade. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₁₀Mg₂Al₄(SiO₄)₅(Si₂O₇)₂(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5
- Density
- 3.3-3.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Lapidary, Collector, Decorative
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Serpentinite
- Typical price
- $10-100 for slabs or cabochons
Where rockhounds find california jade
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Siskiyou County, California
- Tulare County, California
- Fresno County, California
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic serpentinite country — that is the host setting where california jade typically forms. If you start seeing grossular, diopside, serpentine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in California — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find california jade on the map
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