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Natural inorganic gem materials · Mineral species · Natural identity; treatment status unknown

Jadeite

Also known asFei Cui (conditional name)

A pyroxene-group mineral species with composition NaAlSi2O6 and one of the constituent minerals listed for the national-standard "Fei Cui / Jadeite Jade"; the mineral species name is not the same as the trade name Fei Cui. 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.

Edited by RalphReviewed by JuneLast updated 2026-10-12Who maintains this page

Care and wear

What this page can answer

This page covers

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

Jadeite (NaAlSi2O6) is an independent mineral species of the clinopyroxene group and the principal rock-forming mineral of jadeite jade. Its crystallisation is tied to peridotite-subduction systems: cold oceanic crust subducted deep into the upper mantle creates high-pressure, relatively low-temperature conditions that favour jadeite, in the blueschist- to eclogite-facies field. Jadeite-bearing bodies occur as veins or pods in serpentinized peridotites and may have formed at about 80 km depth before exhumation. Two levels must be kept apart: jadeite is a mineral species, whereas 'jade' is a polycrystalline aggregate dominated by it (possibly with omphacite or kosmochlor).

Scope: Applies to the mineral species jadeite and its crystallisation genesis; not directly equivalent to the rock-level material name "feicui" (jadeite jade), nor applicable to nephrite.

Sources G&G Summer 2023 · GIA Jade Description

Where it forms

High-pressure, relatively low-temperature upper-mantle conditions created by subducting cold oceanic crust in a subduction zone.

Sources G&G Summer 2023

Blueschist- to eclogite-facies metamorphic field.

Sources G&G Summer 2023

Veins and pods within serpentinized peridotite bodies.

Sources G&G Summer 2023

How it forms, step by step

  1. Subduction carries cold oceanic crust deep into the upper mantle, creating high pressure and relatively low temperature.

    Sources G&G Summer 2023

  2. In this regime Na-Al-Si components crystallise as jadeite (blueschist- to eclogite-facies equivalents).

    Sources G&G Summer 2023

  3. Jadeite accumulates as veins or pods within serpentinized peridotite.

    Sources G&G Summer 2023

  4. The bodies are exhumed and exposed, forming workable primary or secondary sources.

    Sources G&G Summer 2023

Link to appearance

As a mineral, jadeite shows typical pyroxene cleavage and optical properties; as an aggregate of fine, interlocking crystals it is exceptionally tough, suiting jade carving.

Sources G&G Summer 2023

Timescale

Crystallisation and exhumation are deep-time processes tied to subduction-orogeny events, on million- to hundred-million-year scales.

Sources G&G Summer 2023 · GIA Jade Description

Related base materials

  • Pyroxene group: Mineral group to which it belongs (clinopyroxene)
  • Jade (fei cui): Jade aggregate whose main rock-forming mineral is jadeite

Supporting findings

Jadeite crystallises under the high-pressure, relatively low-temperature conditions of subduction zones, in the blueschist- to eclogite-facies field.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Concerns jadeite crystallisation only, not amphibole-based nephrite.

Sources G&G Summer 2023

Jadeite occurs as veins or pods in serpentinized peridotite and may have formed around 80 km depth before being exhumed.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Depth is an evidence-based inference and not extensible to every locality.

Sources G&G Summer 2023

Recorded localities

Authoritative sources name a single or principal locality.

Locality sketch mapLand outlines only; the map does not depict any national or regional boundary. Dots mark approximate positions. Base map: Natural Earth (public domain).

Asia

North America

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.

Human use and museum objects

As a bead material, hard jade occurs early in both East Asia and Mesoamerica: a Chinese Shang–Zhou jade bead (Cleveland Museum of Art, 1952.474, ca. 1200–900 BCE) and a Western Zhou prismatic bead (Cleveland Museum of Art, 1966.739, 1100–900 BCE); in Mesoamerica a Maya jadeite-albitite bar bead of 250–550 CE (Cleveland Museum of Art, 1950.377).

Evidence grade A

Scope: Some records say only 'Jade', not distinguishing jadeite from nephrite, so the evidence is only partly exclusive to hard jade.

Sources Cleveland Museum of Art 1952.474 · The Met 02.18.304

Hard jade, a jade whose main mineral is jadeite, appears as early beads in both East Asia and Mesoamerica. Chinese examples include a Shang–Zhou jade bead (Cleveland Museum of Art, 1952.474, ca. 1200–900 BCE) and a Western Zhou prismatic bead with an ogre mask (Cleveland Museum of Art, 1966.739, 1100–900 BCE); a Maya bar bead of jadeite-albitite dates to 250–550 CE (Cleveland Museum of Art, 1950.377). The Met also holds beads catalogued as Jadeite from Mexico/Guatemala (02.18.304) and China (02.18.347). Note that many museum records say only 'Jade' without separating jadeite from nephrite, so the evidence is only partly exclusive to hard jade.

Sources Cleveland Museum of Art 1952.474 · The Met 02.18.304

Scope: Museum objects attest only to the existence and date of the individual documented pieces; they do not evidence widespread ancient use of the material, nor the origin, naturalness or treatment of any modern specimen. Cultural attribution follows the museum's record and is not extrapolated.

Objects cited

2000 BCE1000 BCE010002000CMA 1952.474c. 1200–900 BCECMA 1966.7391100–900 BCECMA 1950.377250–550 CECMA 1952.4721700s
Dates of museum objectsDates from the museums' open-access records (CC0); each bar spans the whole period named in the record, with qualifiers such as “early” or “possibly” kept in the label rather than turned into a narrower range; an arrow marks a record that reads “before” or “after” a yearSource: The Met / Cleveland Museum of Art open-access records

Cultural records for this material: Birthstone list.

How it is identified

How jadeite looks does not prove whether it is natural, treated or an imitation. Trade rules define how names may be used and require disclosure but offer no diagnostic method; determining a specimen's true material and treatment state calls for laboratory testing. The conclusion should be issued by a qualified gem laboratory; appearance cannot replace identification.

Evidence grade B

Scope: A conservative call: the listed source provides naming and disclosure rules only, with no material-specific tests.

Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Other research findings

Jadeite is the clinopyroxene mineral species NaAlSi2O6, and jade (fei cui) may additionally include omphacite and kosmochlor.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Composition description is limited to jadeite-dominant aggregates and varies by locality.

Sources G&G Summer 2023

The mineral species jadeite and the rock-level material name jade are distinct levels; jade is a jadeite-dominant polycrystalline aggregate and exceptionally tough.

Evidence grade A

Scope: A nomenclature-level distinction, avoiding conflation of mineralogy and material names.

Sources GIA Jade Description · G&G Summer 2023

Limits of this research

  • Research status: Formation, occurrence or other material-specific findings found in authoritative sources
  • 'Hard jade' in Chinese usage may denote either the mineral species or loosely the jade aggregate; keep the levels distinct.
  • The ~80 km depth is inferred from individual studies, not a universal figure.
  • Synthetic jadeite and treatments are outside the scope of this record.

Methodology

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
Jadeite

GB/T 16552—2017 5.1.1 b) · IMA Mineral List 2026-07 “Jadeite”

Construction or treatment status

Natural identity; treatment status unknown

Treatments recorded for this material: Impregnated, Heated / Heat-treated (via parent material), Filled / Fracture-filled (via parent material), Bleached (via parent material), Dyed (via parent material), Coated (via parent material)

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

Jadeite is often subjected to impregnation. Under GB/T 16552-2017, impregnation is graded by the material used, and must be stated in the name wherever it counts as a treatment (§5.4.1, Table 1). Do not assume it is unenhanced.

Evidence

  • GB/T · 5.1.1 b)

What this means for you

Before buying, check the recommended listing name "Jadeite" 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

Care and wear

Normal care for every gemstone (CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.1), in brief:

  • Handle it gently.
  • Store pieces apart when not worn, so they cannot scratch each other.
  • Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush.
  • Use ultrasonic cleaners only with caution.

The §6.1 wording and the full list of §6.2 special-care letters cited on this page are on the general gem care page.

Care

care (cleaning)3 sources compared

Jadeite — care (cleaning): treated material: avoid strong solvents.

Gems & Gemology 1987 (Martin)

Treatment state
treated
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Jadeite — care (cleaning): Untreated jade can go in ultrasonic and steam cleaners, but since jade may be dyed, bleached and impregnated, coated, or heated, warm soapy water is always the safe choice.

GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide)

Treatment state
any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Jadeite — care (cleaning): Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code j

Treatment state
treated
Only after these treatments
dyeing, impregnation
Source & check 2026-09-25
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-25

Jadeite — care (cleaning): ultrasonic and steamer: relatively safe.

Gems & Gemology 1987 (Martin)

Treatment state
untreated
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Jadeite — care (heat): Heat from a jeweller's torch can harm it; it is stable in light.

GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide)

Treatment state
any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

care (chemicals)2 sources compared

Jadeite — care (chemicals): Warm acids can affect it

GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide)

Treatment state
any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Jadeite — care (chemicals): Treatments with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent; keep it away from all solvents (including dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code k

Treatment state
treated
Only after these treatments
dyeing, impregnation
Source & check 2026-09-25
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-25

Jadeite — care (wear): Mohs 6.5 to 7, so guard against scratches, but its toughness is exceptional and it resists breaking and chipping very well.

GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide)

Treatment state
any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Jadeite — care (special care): bleached in two steps and polymer-impregnated (green, white, purple, red, yellow, grey): special care (SC); avoid heat, chemicals and ultrasonic cleaning.

AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, 17th ed.

Treatment state
treated
Only after these treatments
bleaching, impregnation
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Jadeite — care (special care): coated with colourless wax: normal to special care (SC); avoid ultrasonic cleaning.

AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, 17th ed.

Treatment state
treated
Only after these treatments
surface waxing
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Jadeite — care (special care): dyed to imitate natural colours: special care (SC); avoid strong light, chemicals and ultrasonic cleaning; may discolour in time.

AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, 17th ed.

Treatment state
treated
Only after these treatments
dyeing
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Jadeite — care (special care): bleached in two steps and wax-impregnated: special care (SC); avoid heat, chemicals and ultrasonic cleaning.

AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, 17th ed.

Treatment state
treated
Only after these treatments
bleaching, surface waxing
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Jadeite — care (setting): prong and bezel: relatively safe; channel: use caution; flush and pavé: use extreme caution.

Gems & Gemology 1987 (Martin)

Treatment state
untreated
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Jadeite — care (repair): polishing and thermal shock: use caution; jeweller's torch and pickle pot: avoid; note: avoid heat, which may cause colour loss and can easily melt it; avoid acids, as warm acids damage it.

Gems & Gemology 1987 (Martin)

Treatment state
untreated
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Jadeite — care (display): Dyed material may fade

Gems & Gemology 1987 (Martin)

Treatment state
treated
Only after these treatments
dyeing
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Jadeite — care (display): artificial light: relatively safe; heat in the display case and sunlight: use caution.

Gems & Gemology 1987 (Martin)

Treatment state
untreated
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.

Common care questions and matching entries

Each question links to the matching entries on this page; whether they answer it fully, go by the entry wording.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

QuestionMatching entries
Can it go in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner?treated material: avoid strong solvents; Untreated jade can go in ultrasonic and steam cleaners, but since jade may be dyed, bleached and impregnated, coated, or heated, warm soapy water is always the safe choice; care (cleaning); ultrasonic and steamer: relatively safe
Heat and thermal shockHeat from a jeweller's torch can harm it; it is stable in light; polishing and thermal shock: use caution; jeweller's torch and pickle pot: avoid; note: avoid heat, which may cause colour loss and can easily melt it; avoid acids, as warm acids damage it
Light and displayDyed material may fade; artificial light: relatively safe; heat in the display case and sunlight: use caution
Contact with acids, alkalis and household chemicalsWarm acids can affect it; Treatments with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent; keep it away from all solvents (including dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat
Wearing limits (knocks, settings)Mohs 6.5 to 7, so guard against scratches, but its toughness is exceptional and it resists breaking and chipping very well; prong and bezel: relatively safe; channel: use caution; flush and pavé: use extreme caution

Care entries by treatment state

The same entries grouped by the treatment state each applies to; each links to its full wording and source. Letters are CIBJO special-care codes, explained on the gemstone care page.

treated

any treatment state

untreated

treated (Only after these treatments: dyeing, impregnation)

treated (Only after these treatments: bleaching, impregnation)

treated (Only after these treatments: surface waxing)

treated (Only after these treatments: dyeing)

treated (Only after these treatments: bleaching, surface waxing)

Durability and wearing

Mohs hardness

6.5–7

Toughness

Exceptional toughness

Sources GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide)

Treatments and identification leads

Registered treatmentsThe treatments recorded for Jadeite are impregnation, heating and dyeing. Stability and frequencyImpregnation has the status treated, is unstable and is common on the market; heating has the status treated, is stable and is rare on the market; dyeing has the status treated, is unstable and is common on the market. Values not givenThe identification leads for impregnation, heating and dyeing are all marked with a dash, meaning the cited source gives no value, not none. SyntheticsAccording to the registered entries, synthetic Jadeite exists on the market, a conclusion that applies irrespective of treatment status.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

TreatmentMarket frequency (CIBJO)Stability (CIBJO)GB/T 16552 categoryJJA/AGL listingIdentification leads
impregnationWhich form of it: polymer and colour impregnation after acid treatmentStatus: treatedcommonlystability of the treatment———
heatingStatus: treatedrarelystableOptimization——
dyeingStatus: treatedcommonlyunstableTreatment——
impregnationWhich form of it: near-colourless polymer impregnationStatus: treatedcommonlyunstable———
Filling——Graded — see §5.4.1, Table 1——
Bleaching and filling——Treatment——
Coating——Treatment——

Where each treatment acts (schematics): Impregnated · Heated / Heat-treated · Dyed

“—” means the cited source gives no value for that item, not “none”. Source: CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022; GB/T 16552—2017 Table B.1 (row for Fei Cui / Jadeite Jade)

Whether a treatment has to show in the name differs between the two rule sets (this site’s paraphrase):

  • GB/T 16552—2017: a method classed as treatment has to be stated in the name itself — the method put before the name, or added in brackets after it; a method classed as optimization does not need to appear in the name, though one marked “Optimization (annotation required)” still has to be noted in the quality documents. Source: §5.4.2.1 a), b); §5.4.2.2 a)
  • CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022: no longer splits treatments into ones that need specific disclosure and ones that need only general disclosure: every treatment is to be disclosed, and the seller tells the buyer which treatment was used and what special care it calls for. Source: §4.2.5 Note 2, §4.2.5.1, pp.14–15

What this table covers

What this page can give

  • Registered treatments, their stability and how often they occur (see the table above)
  • Identification leads for each treatment, for use when sending a stone for testing

How lab reports word it

Report wording for Jadeite is set out under report wording on the Fei Cui / Jadeite Jade entry.

VerifyNames, standards, technical facts, clauses and sources

Names

Besides Jadeite, the name register records "Fei Cui", for which no restriction on use as a name is recorded; one further name in a non-Latin script is listed in the name register below (1 with no restriction recorded on use as a name).

Standard and listing namesThe Chinese formal name for Jadeite comes from GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.2 (row for jadeite jade), and the suggested listing name is likewise Jadeite. Trade and mineralogical namesThe mineralogical name is Jadeite, an IMA mineral species with the chemical formula NaAlSi2O6, belonging to the pyroxene group; the trade name/synonym Fei Cui is a trade name for jadeite jade. Names in four languagesNames are given in four languages: Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English (Jadeite) and Japanese (a katakana transliteration and a kanji name), Japan's GSJ formal name being the kanji form. Institution usageOn authority wording, CIBJO records Jadeite in the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024; the FTC text on file has no wording for this name (checked); GIA and Gem-A are unchecked; bodies without a recorded wording show only jadeite's English name Jadeite, which does not represent their position. Candidate search termsIn the name register, Fei Cui and a Japanese katakana variant serve only as search candidates.

Name register

Every name recorded for this entry, with how it is classified, whether it may be matched to this entry automatically, whether it may be used as a product name, and the clause it rests on.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

NameTypeMatchingUse as a nameBasis
no restriction recorded (2)
Fei CuiEnglishtransliterationsearch candidate onlyno restriction recordededitorial ruling (no clause cited)
ジェイダイトJapanesetransliterationsearch candidate onlyno restriction recordedJJA/AGL Gemstone Nomenclature 2025 p.13

How each authority words this name: see Names › Authority wording.

Authority wording

GIA, FTC, CIBJO, Gem-A
Jadeite (on record for CIBJO (CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024); no wording for this name in the FTC text on file; GIA, Gem-A unchecked — bodies without a recorded wording show the entry's own English name)
GSJ (Japan) formal name
ヒスイ輝石
Chinese formal name
硬玉 (GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.2, row “Feicui,Jadeite”)
Mineralogical name
Jadeite (IMA mineral species; NaAlSi2O6 pyroxene)
Trade names and synonyms
Fei Cui (transliteration; conditional name)

Four-language names

简体中文
硬玉
繁體中文
硬玉
English
Jadeite
日本語
ジェダイト／ヒスイ輝石

See also: Misleading and prohibited trade names · Supplementary name index

Classification

Origin
Natural materials
Material domain
Natural inorganic gem materials
Browsing family
Other silicate minerals
Identity tier
Mineral species
Mineral chemical class
Silicates
Construction or treatment status
Natural identity; treatment status unknown

Treatments listed by standards

For the optimizations and treatments of Jadeite, this site applies the “Fei Cui (jadeite jade)” row of GB/T 16552—2017 Annex B, Table B.1: heating is listed as optimization; filling is marked as graded, with the grades defined on this site's Gem treatments page; bleaching and filling are listed as treatment; dyeing is listed as treatment; coating is listed as treatment. The notes to Table B.1 and the definitions of the filling grades are on this site's Gem treatments page, and the full row, with the effect column, is on the Fei Cui page.

GB/T 16552-2017, Annex B, Table B.1

Under the “Feicui, Jadeite” row of Table B.1: Heating Optimization; Filling Graded — see §5.4.1, Table 1; Bleaching and filling Treatment; Dyeing Treatment; Coating Treatment. The full row, with the effect column, is on the Fei Cui / Jadeite Jade page.

What Table B.1 is, and how the “see 5.4.1” grades are defined: see the GB/T 16552: optimization vs treatment page.

What it is and how it's identified

The chemical formula of Jadeite is NaAlSi2O6, and it may contain Cr, Fe, Ca, Mg, Mn, V, Ti and other elements, the phase belonging to the pyroxene group; its nomenclature status is IMA status A, a mineral species accepted by the IMA after it was set up in 1958. Jadeite has two perfect cleavages; transparency is translucent to opaque; untreated Jadeite has a body colour of green, white, light purple, yellow to reddish orange, brown, grey or black, often mottled. Per this site's note, other entries in Chapter 7 of the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book, such as labradorite, diamond and Mali garnet, also mention green or greenish tones.

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

Jadeite — nomenclature status: IMA status A: approved (accepted by the IMA after it was set up in 1958).

CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024

Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

Jadeite — composition (chemistry): jadeite: NaAlSi2O6; may contain Cr, Fe, Ca, Mg, Mn, V, Ti and other elements.

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.1 Chemical composition · Jadeite (locator checked 2026-09-28)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Jadeite — composition (phase): jadeite (pyroxene group)

CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024

Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

Durability

Jadeite — cleavage: two directions of perfect cleavage

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.1 Cleavage · Jadeite (locator checked 2026-09-28)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

For Jadeite, the stability of polymer and colour impregnation after acid treatment is “variable”.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
treated
Treatment
impregnation
Which form of it
polymer and colour impregnation after acid treatment
Qualification

This says how well the treatment holds up, not how durable Jadeite itself is.

General note
no durability verdict here
Source & check 2026-09-25
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-25

For Jadeite, the stability of heating is “stable”.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
treated
Treatment
heating
Qualification

This says how well the treatment holds up, not how durable Jadeite itself is.

General note
no durability verdict here
Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

For Jadeite, the stability of dyeing is “unstable”.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
treated
Treatment
dyeing
Qualification

This says how well the treatment holds up, not how durable Jadeite itself is.

General note
no durability verdict here
Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

For Jadeite, the stability of near-colourless polymer impregnation is “unstable”.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
treated
Treatment
impregnation
Which form of it
near-colourless polymer impregnation
Qualification

This says how well the treatment holds up, not how durable Jadeite itself is.

General note
no durability verdict here
Source & check 2026-09-25
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-25

Optical

Jadeite — transparency: translucent to opaque.

CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024

Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

Jadeite — body colour: Green, white, light purple, yellow to reddish orange, brown, grey, black, often mottled.

CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024

Treatment state
untreated
Qualification

In chapter 7 of the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book, the colour descriptions of Labradorite, Diamond, Mali Garnet and other entries also name green or a greenish colour.

General note
colour alone is not identity
Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.

Testing and market

For laboratory identification, the CIBJO laboratory protocol places Jadeite under the "Fei Cui / Jadeite Jade" entry; for identification see that section of the Fei Cui / Jadeite Jade entry, and the list of required methods is on the laboratory testing page. Synthetic Jadeite is on the market. Among Jadeite on the market, acid treatment followed by impregnation with coloured polymer is common, impregnation with near-colourless polymer is common, dyeing is common and heating is rare.

The CIBJO laboratory protocol covers Jadeite under “Fei Cui / Jadeite Jade” (§6.1.44): see identification on the Fei Cui / Jadeite Jade entry; the required tests are listed on the CIBJO laboratory protocol table for Fei Cui / Jadeite Jade.

How far testing can go

Jadeite — synthetic counterpart on the market: A synthetic counterpart of this material is commercially available

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

For Jadeite in trade, the reported frequency of polymer and colour impregnation after acid treatment is “commonly”.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
treated
Treatment
impregnation
Which form of it
polymer and colour impregnation after acid treatment
Source & check 2026-09-25
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-25

For Jadeite in trade, the reported frequency of heating is “rarely”.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
treated
Treatment
heating
Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

For Jadeite in trade, the reported frequency of dyeing is “commonly”.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
treated
Treatment
dyeing
Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

For Jadeite in trade, the reported frequency of near-colourless polymer impregnation is “commonly”.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
treated
Treatment
impregnation
Which form of it
near-colourless polymer impregnation
Source & check 2026-09-25
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-25

Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.

Clause-level definitions

Jadeite is defined directly in the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 under the term Jadeite; the definition gives mineral group pyroxene, mineral species jadeite and IMA status A, with the CIBJO wording quoted in full under Clause-level definitions on this page; the cross-check shows it is defined directly by CIBJO and also appears in the GB/T annex. Jadeite also has an IMA Mineral List entry, registered as Jadeite, chemical formula NaAlSi2O6, IMA status A, cross-checked against the RRUFF/IMA master mineral list; the data are in the public domain.

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TermClauseDefinitionCross-check
Jadeite7.2.1.118Green, white, light purple, yellow to reddish orange, brown, grey, black, often mottled; translucent to opaqueDefined directly by CIBJO; also present in the GB/T annex.
JadeiteIMA Mineral List entryJadeite NaAlSi2O6 A 1988 s.p.Cross-checked against the RRUFF/IMA master mineral list (public domain data).

Evidence and sources

Authority basis and clause sources

GB/T 16552—2017
Naming rule 5.1.1 b) · Source
IMA Mineral List 2026-07
Listed “Jadeite” · Source
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
Listed §7.2.1.118 “Jadeite” · Source

Sources

Further reading

Related pages

Treatments recorded for this material

Recorded cultural contexts

Birthstone list

Japan's JJA 2021 revised roster lists Jadeite for May. This records trade-association convention only; it does not establish material identity, natural origin, treatment, provenance, or effect.

Relation
Industry list inclusion

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Publisher or holderRegionFrom / periodSource and locator
Japan Jewellery AssociationJapanfrom 20 December 2021Tanjoseki (Japanese birthstone roster, Japan Jewellery Association page; revision of 20 December 2021)
2021 revised birthstone roster, May row: Jadeite

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.

Related-entry tree for Jadeite on this site: 2 entries listed by this site's parent-entry links; synthetic, treated and similar entries carry their recorded state after the name; this page (Jadeite) is marked.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

PageContentStatus
Browsing familyOther silicate mineralsLive
Treatments recorded for this materialImpregnated, Heated / Heat-treated (via parent material), Filled / Fracture-filled (via parent material), Bleached (via parent material), Dyed (via parent material), Coated (via parent material)Live
Related articlesTo be added (placeholder)Planned

Who maintains this page

The material facts in the Jadeite 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.

Facts editor
Ralph
Reviewer
June
How facts are checked
Each fact is matched to the clause it cites; facts checked between 2026-09-22 and 2026-09-26
Last revised
2026-10-12
Purpose
Lets buyers and sellers check naming, disclosure and material facts clause by clause.

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