Jadeite is a dense, tough pyroxene mineral that forms the most prized variety of jade. Collectors often identify it by its waxy to vitreous luster and characteristic granular or fibrous texture, frequently found in metamorphic subduction zone environments.
Is this jadeite?
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 jadeite with a known reference. Jadeite sits at Mohs 6.5-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Jadeite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Jadeite typically shows a vitreous to pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, white, lavender, yellow, red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive, granular, or compact fibrous.
Often confused with
Jadeite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to pearly on Jadeite and waxy on Nephrite.
How to tell apart: Jadeite is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 2.5-5.5); luster reads vitreous to pearly on Jadeite and greasy on Serpentine.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to pearly on Jadeite and vitreous on Prehnite.
Often found alongside jadeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with jadeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaAlSi₂O₆
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7
- Density
- 3.3-3.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular, Or Compact Fibrous
- Cleavage
- Good in Two Directions
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Gemstone, Ornamental, Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Rocks Like Serpentinite or Blueschist
- Typical price
- $20-100 per gram for commercial grade, thousands for Imperial grade
Where rockhounds find jadeite
6 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Myanmar
- Guatemala
- Japan
- Russia
- USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic rocks like serpentinite or blueschist country — that is the host setting where jadeite typically forms. If you start seeing albite, glaucophane, lawsonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular, or compact fibrous habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in California, Oklahoma, Washington — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find jadeite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
