Nephrite is not the name of a mineral, it refers to some of the amphibole (such as tremolite, actinite and other series of minerals) with gem value silicate minerals. There are many kinds of nephrite, and there are many colors, but all have a grease luster. Hotan, Xinjiang, China is an important producing area of nephrite, where the nephrite is called "Hetian jade". Nephrite is a collection of amphibole minerals. The fine amphibole mineral crystals are intertwined in fibrous form to form a dense aggregate with fine texture and good toughness. Nephrite jade is a very precious material for jewelry and handicrafts, and has a prominent position in Chinese ancient jade and jade culture, and has been paid much attention by researchers. In recent years, basic research has developed rapidly, and modern advanced analysis and testing instruments have been continuously developed and applied. People have begun to explore the internal factors affecting the quality of nephrite from the aspects of composition and structure. New nephrite deposits are continuously discovered and exploited. The study of nephrite jade has also aroused great interest of foreign mineralogists and petrologists. In-depth research has been carried out on the abnormal toughness, color, structural defects, structural characteristics and causes of nephrite jade, which has promoted the research of nephrite jade. in depth.

The Chinese have carved nephrite jade for more than 2,000 years. The materials were first imported from Central Asia, and later imported from Myanmar. Others are Siberia (dark green with black spots), Russian (Polish) and Chinese. Nephrite is also found in various rocks in the North and South Island of New Zealand. And Australia

 jadeite

The difference between nephrite and jade: Nephrite usually refers to some domestic jade species, including: Hetian jade, Xiuyu, Dushan jade, Lantian jade, etc. Among them, Hetian jade is the best, mainly produced in our Xinjiang Hotan It is named after it has a long history and the best quality. The mineral belongs to the tremolite and actinolite series. The main component is a dense and tough variant of tremolite. The specific gravity is 2.9-3.02, the hardness: 6-6.5, the refractive index : 1.62-1.655, the color is white, blue, yellow, red, black, etc. It is a silicate, so it is chemically stable. In the second half of the 19th century, the French mineralogist De Moor named China's "jade". It is divided into nephrite and jadeite (see Institute of Geological Information: "Foreign Geological Science and Technology", No. 2, 1981. There are two types. Jadeite, commonly known as "Jadeite" in China, is a rising star in traditional jade in China, and it is also the most advanced jade in modern times. Top grade. Whether jadeite is "mountain material" (primary ore) or "seed material" (secondary ore), it is mainly a dense block composed of jadeite minerals. Observed under a microscope, the jadeite minerals that make up jadeite are closely intertwined. , forming the fibrous structure of jadeite. This compact fibrous structure makes jadeite have the characteristics of fineness and toughness. Jadeite is composed of a kind of silicate minerals of steel and aluminum, and the pure one is colorless or white. Its bulk Its chemical composition is: 58.28%, 13.94% sodium oxide, 1.62% calcium oxide, 0.91% magnesium oxide, 0.64% ferric oxide, and also contain trace amounts of chromium, nickel, etc. Among them , Chromium is the main factor that makes jadeite green. Usually jadeite contains 0.2~0.5% chromium oxide, and some individuals are more than 2~3.75%. The hardness of jadeite is 7, and the specific gravity is 3.33. Mineral refractive index: Ng=1.667, Np=1.654; the birefringence rate is 0.012. Common jade colors are white, gray, pink, hazel, green, emerald green, yellow-green, purple-red, etc. Most of them are opaque, some are translucent, and have vitreous luster. According to color and texture, There are sapphire green, bright green, yellow sun green, sunny green, glass green, parrot green, spinach green, light water green, light sun green, frog green, melon green, plum green, blue green, gray green, oil green, And more than 20 varieties such as violets and lotus root starch.