Jade is a term used for two distinct minerals, Nephrite and Jadeite, both prized for their extreme toughness and waxy luster. It is most commonly found in massive, interlocking aggregate forms and has been used for centuries in cultural carvings and high-end jewelry. Collectors should note that its toughness makes it unique among minerals, often requiring specialized cutting tools.
Is this 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 jade with a known reference. Jade sits at Mohs 6-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Jade leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Jade typically shows a waxy to greasy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, white, lavender, yellow, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive, fibrous, interlocking granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Jade vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads waxy to greasy on Jade and greasy on Serpentine.
How to tell apart: Luster reads waxy to greasy on Jade and vitreous on Prehnite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads waxy to greasy on Jade and waxy on Oregon Jade.
Often found alongside jade
Minerals reported to co-occur with jade. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂(Mg,Fe)₅Si₈O₂₂ (OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6-7
- Density
- 2.9-3.4 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Waxy to Greasy
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Fibrous, Interlocking Granular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Jewelry, Ornamental Carvings, Lapidary
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Rocks, Serpentinites, And Alluvial Deposits
- Typical price
- $10-100 for carvings, $500+ for high-quality jewelry grade material
Where rockhounds find jade
15 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Myanmar
- China
- Guatemala
- Canada
- New Zealand
- USA
U.S. states with jade
Each link opens a state-specific list of mapped rockhounding spots that produce jade.
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic rocks, serpentinites, and alluvial deposits country — that is the host setting where jade typically forms. If you start seeing serpentine, tremolite, actinolite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, fibrous, interlocking granular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in California, Wyoming, Nevada — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find jade on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
