Jadeite vs Nephrite (Hetian Jade): What's the Difference?
Updated
Jadeite (翡翠) and nephrite (软玉, sold in China as Hetian jade 和田玉) are both called "jade" in English, but they are different minerals. Jadeite is a pyroxene with a granular crystal structure, a glassy luster and a wider color range; nephrite is an amphibole with a fibrous structure, an oily luster and exceptional toughness. A lab certificate names which one you are buying.
Are jadeite and nephrite the same thing?
No. In English both are called "jade", but they are two different minerals. In Chinese the difference is clear in the names: jadeite is 翡翠 (feicui) and nephrite is 软玉, which the Chinese market usually sells as Hetian jade (和田玉).
If you are shopping for 翡翠, make sure the certificate says jadeite, not nephrite or another material. See how to verify a jadeite certificate.
How do jadeite and nephrite compare?
| Jadeite (翡翠) | Nephrite (软玉 / 和田玉) | |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral group | Pyroxene | Amphibole (tremolite–actinolite) |
| Structure | Interlocking granular crystals | Interwoven fibrous crystals |
| Hardness (Mohs) | About 6.5–7 | About 6–6.5 |
| Density | About 3.33 | About 2.95 |
| Refractive index | About 1.66 | About 1.62 |
| Luster | Glassy (vitreous) | Oily / greasy |
| Toughness | Tough | Exceptionally tough |
| Typical colors | Green, lavender, white, yellow, red, near-black | White, green, yellowish, grey-blue, black |
| Main gem source | Myanmar | Several regions, including Xinjiang in China |
The numbers are typical values a gem lab measures; they are not something you can reliably test at home.
How can you tell them apart by eye?
With experience, a few visual clues help, but none replaces a lab test:
- Luster. Polished jadeite tends to look glassy and bright; nephrite has a softer, oily or waxy sheen.
- Texture. In good light, jadeite may show small flashes from its crystal grains (traders call this 翠性). Nephrite looks smoother and more uniform because its structure is fibrous.
- Translucency. High-quality jadeite can be very transparent (icy or glassy). Nephrite is usually translucent to opaque, valued more for its fine, dense, milky texture.
For how jadeite quality is described, see zhong, shui and se: jadeite texture, translucency and color.
What does "Hetian jade" mean?
Hetian (Hotan) is a region in Xinjiang, China, long famous for nephrite. Today "Hetian jade" (和田玉) is used in the Chinese market as the name for nephrite as a material, so the name alone does not tell you where a particular stone was mined. Well-known nephrite colors have their own names, such as mutton-fat white (羊脂白), green nephrite (碧玉) and black nephrite (墨玉).
Which is more valuable?
Neither is simply "better." Both range from inexpensive to extremely valuable, and price depends on the quality of the individual piece. For jadeite, color, translucency and texture drive value; for nephrite, fineness, purity of color and oily luster matter most. The right choice depends on the look you prefer and on buying a genuine, untreated piece of whichever material you choose.
What should I check when buying?
- The certificate names the material: jadeite (翡翠) or nephrite / Hetian jade (和田玉), not a different stone.
- For jadeite, the conclusion shows no treatment — natural Type A. See Type A vs Type B vs Type C jadeite.
- Photos and video show the actual piece under neutral light.
JadeiteHub lists jadeite only. Every sold piece is checked against its certificate before it ships.
FAQ
Is Hetian jade the same as jadeite?
No. Hetian jade (和田玉) is nephrite, an amphibole mineral. Jadeite (翡翠) is a pyroxene. Both are sold as "jade" in English.
Which is harder, jadeite or nephrite?
Jadeite is slightly harder, about 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale versus about 6–6.5 for nephrite. Nephrite is tougher, meaning more resistant to breaking, because of its fibrous structure.
Can I tell jadeite from nephrite at home?
Luster and texture give clues, but they are not reliable on their own. A certificate from a recognized gem lab is the dependable way to know.
Does "Hetian jade" mean the stone is from Hetian?
Not necessarily. In the Chinese market the name is used for nephrite as a material, so check the certificate and ask the seller if origin matters to you.
