On this page
UnderstandWhat it is, what people ask, how far this page goes
Natural inorganic gem materials · Rock / mineral aggregate · Natural; treatment common (require certificate to distinguish)
Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade
A multi-mineral rock composed mainly of plagioclase and zoisite; its basic name as a natural jade in GB/T 16552-2017 Table A.2 is "Dushan Yu". This page compares how the major standards and institutions name it, what must be disclosed when selling it, whether it can be worn every day, how it is treated and identified, and which source each conclusion comes from.
Price, rarity and origin are outside the scope of this wiki.
What this page can answer
This page covers
- How Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade forms and what gives its colourFormation setting, process and timescale, each finding graded and sourced
- How to identify Dushan Yu / Dushan JadeHow far lab testing can go
- Hardness, density and refractive index of Dushan Yu / Dushan JadeEach value with its source and check date
- Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade in English, Chinese and Japanese; national standard namesNames in four languages, the GB/T standard name and the suggested listing name; and: Has any of GIA, FTC, CIBJO or Gem-A put a name for it on record here?
- Listing and disclosing Dushan Yu / Dushan JadeThe listing name to use; what must be disclosed before sale
- Standard clauses that define Dushan Yu / Dushan JadeWhich clause defines it, each cross-checked
What we cannot conclude
- Whether one particular bead is natural, treated or synthetic — only a laboratory report can settle that.
- Geographic origin, unless an origin report accompanies the item.
- Price, rarity or investment value: this wiki covers naming and disclosure only.
Material research: formation, causes and history
What authoritative sources say about how this material forms, what causes its colour and optical effects, where its name comes from and how people have used it. Each statement carries an evidence grade and its sources; it describes the material in general, not any specific piece.
How it forms
Dushan jade is a rock-type jade name and a polymineralic rock rather than a single mineral. It is dominated by plagioclase (the albite NaAlSi3O8-anorthite CaAl2Si2O8 solid-solution series) and zoisite (epidote group), plagioclase being one of the chief rock-forming minerals of the crust. The process in which plagioclase reacts with aqueous fluids to produce calcium aluminium silicate secondary minerals such as zoisite/epidote is the alteration formerly called saussuritization/zoisitization (saussurite), which explains a plagioclase-plus-zoisite aggregate. The available authority sources give only these general facts (the feldspar solid-solution series; zoisite/epidote and saussurite as natural materials; jade-type stones as dense, fine-grained, interlocking-crystal rocks); no dedicated authoritative source on the genesis of Dushan jade has been found, so its specific mineralising/alteration setting is an inference (C) and remains a source gap.
Scope: Applies to defining Dushan jade as a polymineralic rock/jade name dominated by plagioclase + zoisite, and gives the series affiliation of its constituent minerals and the general mechanism of their alteration direction; does not constitute a conclusion on its specific locality or quantitative ore-forming environment.
Sources G&G Winter 2022 · CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · GIA Jade Description +1
- Fluorescence Characteristics of Two Copper-Diffused Plagioclase Feldspars: Labradorite and Andesine (Gems & Gemology, Winter 2022, Vol. 58, No. 4)
- CIBJO Blue Book — Official Gemstone Book (Coloured Stone Commission 2022)
- Jade Description
- Colored Stones Unearthed: Gems Formed in Metamorphic Rocks (Gems & Gemology, Summer 2023, Vol. 59, No. 2)
Where it forms
Plagioclase-rich rock (plutonic/metamorphic) plus later aqueous fluids (inferred; no dedicated source).
Sources G&G Winter 2022 · G&G Summer 2023
The general case for jade materials: dense, fine-grained rocks of tiny interlocking mineral crystals, exceptionally tough (jade definition).
Sources GIA Jade Description
How it forms, step by step
Plagioclase-rich (albite-anorthite series) rock forms in a plutonic or metamorphic setting.
(Inferred) later aqueous fluids react with calcic plagioclase.
(Inferred) calcium aluminium silicate secondary minerals such as zoisite/epidote form and coexist with residual plagioclase (saussurite/zoisitization).
This yields a dense, fine-grained aggregate dominated by plagioclase plus zoisite, i.e. Dushan jade.
Sources G&G Winter 2022 · CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · GIA Jade Description
Link to appearance
Colour varies with the proportions and distribution of plagioclase and zoisite/epidote components; Dushan jade is a rock, so appearance cannot determine species, origin or treatment.
Sources G&G Winter 2022 · CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Timescale
The cited sources give no absolute age/duration for Dushan jade or its alteration.
Sources G&G Winter 2022 · CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Related base materials
- Plagioclase (albite-anorthite solid-solution series): Main component mineral: belongs to the albite NaAlSi3O8–anorthite CaAl2Si2O8 series
- Zoisite (epidote group): Characteristic component mineral, genetically related to alteration of plagioclase by hydrous fluids
Supporting findings
Plagioclase is a continuous solid solution between albite (NaAlSi3O8) and anorthite (CaAl2Si2O8) in the feldspar group; its alteration by aqueous fluids can produce secondary zoisite/epidote (saussurite/zoisitization) coexisting with residual plagioclase.
Evidence grade CScope: The solid-solution series is a source fact, but the genesis of Dushan jade via this alteration is unsourced, so the claim is graded C.
Recorded localities
Authoritative sources name a single or principal locality.
Asia
- Dushan (Du Hill), Wancheng District, Nanyang, Henan, ChinaMindat: named for the Dushan occurrence; one of China's most famous jades
Sources Mindat: Dushan Jade
- Sartohay Mine, Toli County, Tacheng, Xinjiang, China
Sources Mindat: Dushan Jade
- Dongdegoulisayi Mine, Zhaosu County, Ili, Xinjiang, China
Sources Mindat: Dushan Jade
These are localities recorded by authoritative sources, not an origin finding for any individual piece. The CIBJO Gemstone Book (2022, §4.2.3) says a place of origin names where a gem was mined or harvested, is a matter of opinion, does not imply a level of quality, and that cutting, processing or exporting centres must not be used to imply origin. See how far testing can go on this page, the origin determination guide and the overview of recorded localities.
Other research findings
Dushan jade is a polymineralic rock dominated by plagioclase (albite-anorthite solid-solution series) and zoisite (epidote group), not a single mineral.
Evidence grade CScope: Inferred from general facts about the constituent minerals and the aggregate definition; no dedicated source, hence C.
Sources G&G Winter 2022 · CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · G&G Summer 2023
- Fluorescence Characteristics of Two Copper-Diffused Plagioclase Feldspars: Labradorite and Andesine (Gems & Gemology, Winter 2022, Vol. 58, No. 4)
- CIBJO Blue Book — Official Gemstone Book (Coloured Stone Commission 2022)
- Colored Stones Unearthed: Gems Formed in Metamorphic Rocks (Gems & Gemology, Summer 2023, Vol. 59, No. 2)
Dushan jade is a rock/jade-aggregate name, not a mineral species; composition and appearance vary with locality and specimen.
Evidence grade CScope: A classification statement; no dedicated source, and 'jade' is a multi-material generic term.
Sources GIA Jade Description · CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Overall, Dushan jade is a polymineralic rock/jade name dominated by plagioclase plus zoisite, whose minerals belong to the feldspar solid-solution series and the epidote group; it is inferred to form by aqueous-fluid alteration of plagioclase-rich rock, and this record gives only the compositional definition and general supporting facts.
Evidence grade CScope: A multi-source summary (with inference); deposit-specific setting is unsourced.
Sources G&G Winter 2022 · CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · GIA Jade Description
Limits of this research
- Research status: Formation, occurrence or other material-specific findings found in authoritative sources
- The cited sources do not specifically address Dushan jade; its composition (plagioclase + zoisite) and an 'aqueous-fluid alteration of plagioclase-rich rock' genesis are supported only by general facts about the constituent minerals, and its formation/locality are grade-C inferences.
- Dushan jade is a rock/jade-aggregate name, not a mineral species; there is no dedicated authority source and same-named commercial material may vary.
- Deposit-specific setting, alteration P-T conditions, and absolute age/duration for Dushan jade are lacking.
Methodology
- Origin determination and its limits
- Quality grading and value factors
- How gemmology became a technical discipline
Evidence grades
- A
- Standards bodies, government geological surveys, peer-reviewed research and museum records
- B
- Institutional educational material
- C
- Specialist databases or cautious readings
A statement is never graded above its strongest source.
This section is LumaLark's own factual restatement of public authoritative sources, credited item by item; it contains no verbatim excerpts, images or third-party logos.
DecideListing name, disclosure, care and treatments
- Suggested listing name
- Dushan Yu
GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.2 “Dushan Yu,Dushan Jade” · CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 7.1.4
Construction or treatment status
Natural; treatment common (require certificate to distinguish)
Related:Disclosure and cautions
This page cannot answer
Natural? · Origin · Price
A lab report settles these; this wiki covers naming and disclosure.
Related:What this page can answer
Answer at a glance
Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade is Polymineral rock mainly of plagioclase and zoisite; use "Dushan Yu" for listings, and disclose any known treatments.
Evidence
- GB/T · Table A.2, row 独山玉 (Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade)
What this means for you
Before buying, check the recommended listing name "Dushan Yu" and any disclosed treatments on this page, and ask the seller for a grading report if in doubt.
Known uncertainty
- Last reviewed
- 2026-09-01
VerifyNames, standards, technical facts, clauses and sources
Names
Standard and listing namesThe Chinese formal name for Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade comes from GB/T 16552—2017 Annex A Table A.2, and the suggested listing name is Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade. Names in four languagesNames are given in four languages: Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English (Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade) and Japanese; the mineralogical name is a polymineralic rock composed mainly of plagioclase and zoisite. Chinese standard nameGB/T 16552—2017 Annex A Table A.2 lists the material; it was not found under a standalone heading of the same name in the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024, where the basis goes only as far as the definition of Rock. Institution usageThe wording of GIA, FTC, CIBJO and Gem-A for Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade is not yet verified by this site; Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade is the entry's own English name and does not represent the position of GIA, FTC, CIBJO or Gem-A. Japanese namesJapan's GSJ wording for the name is not yet verified by this site; the entry's own Japanese name uses the same characters as the Chinese name.
- GSJ (Japan) formal name
- 独山玉 (not yet checked for this body — the entry's own Japanese name is shown)
- Chinese formal name
- 独山玉 (GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.2)
- Mineralogical name
- Polymineral rock mainly of plagioclase and zoisite
Four-language names
- 简体中文
- 独山玉
- 繁體中文
- 獨山玉
- English
- Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade
- 日本語
- 独山玉
See also: Misleading and prohibited trade names · Supplementary name index
Classification
- Origin
- Natural materials
- Material domain
- Natural inorganic gem materials
- Browsing family
- Jade materials
- Identity tier
- Rock / mineral aggregate
- Mineral chemical class
- Silicates
- Construction or treatment status
- Natural; treatment common (require certificate to distinguish)
What it is and how it's identified
The composition of Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade depends on the kinds and proportions of its constituent minerals, and its structure is a crystalline aggregate, typically a compact fine-grained mass; Mohs hardness is 6–7 and cleavage is none, and this site notes that hardness alone is not enough to judge durability. The density of Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade is 2.7–3.09 g/cm³; this site notes that the clause has finer sub-ranges and the overall value is registered. Optical character is an anisotropic aggregate, refractive index is 1.56–1.7, and birefringence is not measurable for an aggregate. In the untreated state, lustre (quality factor) is vitreous.
Registered material facts
Each row carries its own source and check date and can be cited on its own; “—” means the cited source gives no value, not “none”.
Definition
Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade — composition (chemistry): changes with the mix of constituent minerals and their proportions
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.8 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Structure
Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade — structure (overall): crystalline aggregate, typically a compact fine-grained mass.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.8 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Durability
Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade — Mohs hardness: 6–7
GB/T 16553—2017
Reference points on this site: Talc 1–3, Fluorite 4, Apatite 5–5.5, Orthoclase 6–6.5, Topaz 8, Diamond 10 (Source: GB/T 16553—2017); Gypsum 1.5–2, Calcite 3, Quartz 7 (Source: Handbook of Mineralogy); Corundum 9 (Source: GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide))
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- General note
- hardness only, not durability
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.8 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade — cleavage: none
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.8 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Physical properties
Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade — density: 2.7–3.09 g/cm³
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- General note
- the clause has finer ranges
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.8 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Optical
Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade — optic character: anisotropic aggregate
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.8 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade — refractive index: 1.56–1.7
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.8 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade — birefringence: not measurable on an aggregate
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.8 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade — pleochroism: not measurable on an aggregate
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.8 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade — fluorescence (overall): none to weak, blue-white, brown-yellow, brown-red
GB/T 16553—2017
UV fluorescenceblue-whitebrown-yellowbrown-rednone–weakDots are illustrative colours built from the colour names, not measured values
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.8 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade — spectrum (UV-visible): non-characteristic
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.8 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade — spectrum (infrared): diagnostic bands of Dushan Yu in the mid-IR
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.8 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade — magnification: texture that is fibrous-granular or granoblastic, visible blue, blue-green or brown colour spots.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.8 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade — body colour: white, green, pink-red, brown, blue-green, yellow, black, etc.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- Qualification
In chapter 5 of GB/T 16553—2017, the colour entries of Turquoise, Pyroxene, Silicified Jade and other variety clauses also name white or a whitish colour.
- General note
- colour alone is not identity
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.8 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Quality factors
Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade — quality factor (lustre): vitreous
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.8 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
This material (RI / SG midpoints): 1.63 / 2.9; Closest values: 1Larimar 1.62 / 2.82, 2Datolite 1.646 / 2.95, 3Chlorite 1.629 / 3, 4Bi Yu, Green Nephrite Variety 1.621 / 3, 5Brazilianite 1.611 / 2.97
Show the full chart (330 registered materials)
Outside the full chart's range, drawn as triangles at the edge (RI / SG midpoints): Hematite 3.045/5.12, Synthetic Rutile 2.76/4.26, Rutile 2.753/4.23, Synthetic Moissanite 2.67/3.22
Testing and market
The instrumental testing lead for Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade is registered in GB/T 16553—2017, applying to untreated material: under the Chelsea colour filter, Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade appears slightly red.
How far testing can go
Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade — how far testing can go (instrumental testing): appears slightly red under the Chelsea colour filter
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.8 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
Clause-level definitions
The clause-level definition of Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade comes from GB/T 16552—2017 Annex A, which defines it as a polymineral rock made up mainly of plagioclase and zoisite. The cross-check shows that GB/T lists the name directly, while no standalone CIBJO entry under the same name was found.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Term | Clause | Definition | Cross-check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A | Polymineral rock mainly of plagioclase and zoisite | Listed directly by GB/T; CIBJO carries no standalone entry under the same name. |
Evidence and sources
Authority basis and clause sources
Sources
- CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation. Gemmological Laboratories Book (Blue Book), Gemmological Commission 2024-1.
- CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation. The Gemstone Book (Blue Book), 2022.
- SAMR / SAC (China). GB/T 16552—2017 Gems — Nomenclature.
- RRUFF Project, in partnership with the IMA – International Mineralogical Association. IMA Mineral List.
- Geological Survey of Japan, AIST (Japan). Museum mineral specimens, browse by classification.
Further reading
Related entries and topic cluster
Parent entry and related pages on this site. Rows marked “Planned” are suggested new content and have no link yet.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Page | Content | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Browsing family | Jade materials | Live |
| Related articles | To be added (placeholder) | Planned |
Who maintains this page
The material facts in the Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade entry are maintained by the LumaLark wiki and matched one by one to the standard clauses or institutional sources they cite: every fact carries its source (with a clause or page locator) and a check date, so it can be traced back to the original; clause-level definitions also carry a cross-check result. The entry exists so that buyers and sellers can check naming, disclosure and material facts item by item.