Oregon Jade is a marketing term for a dense, dark green variety of jasper or silicified material found in Oregon that mimics the appearance of true jade. It is highly valued by lapidary artists for its toughness and ability to take a high polish. Collectors should note it is distinct from true jadeite or nephrite, as it is composed primarily of microcrystalline silica.
Is this oregon 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 oregon jade with a known reference. Oregon Jade 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. Oregon Jade leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Oregon Jade typically shows a waxy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, olive-green, dark green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Oregon Jade vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads waxy on Oregon Jade and vitreous to pearly on Jadeite.
How to tell apart: Oregon Jade is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 2.5-5.5); luster reads waxy on Oregon Jade and greasy on Serpentine.
Often found alongside oregon jade
Minerals reported to co-occur with oregon jade. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7
- Density
- 2.6-2.7 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Waxy
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Lapidary, Collector, Decorative
- Host rock
- Volcanic Rocks
- Typical price
- $10-50 per pound for rough material, $50-200 for finished cabochons.
Where rockhounds find oregon jade
2 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Oregon, USA
- California, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in volcanic rocks country — that is the host setting where oregon jade typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, chalcedony, jasper 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 Oregon — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find oregon jade on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
