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Natural inorganic gem materials · Rock / mineral aggregate · Natural; treatment common (require certificate to distinguish)

Nephrite

Also known asNephrite Cat's eye · Nephrite jade

A jade composed mainly of tremolite and actinolite; its basic name in Table A.2 of GB/T 16552-2017 is “nephrite”. 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 JuneReviewed by RalphLast 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

Nephrite is a fine-grained fibrous (interlocking/felted) aggregate dominated by amphibole of the tremolite-actinolite series, a metamorphic rock used as a gem material. It forms chiefly by metasomatism (hydrothermal metamorphism) in which silica-rich fluids replace dolomite-rich rocks, or calcium-rich fluids react with serpentinites, with tremolite and ferro-actinolite as the end members. Tiny interlocking fibrous amphibole crystals make the material exceptionally tough and carvable. Crucially, nephrite is an amphibole, whereas jadeite-dominant jade is a pyroxene material: two entirely different materials, and nephrite also differs from the serpentine group (Xiuyan jade, a phyllosilicate) in mineral group, composition and hardness.

Scope: Covers the material-level origin of nephrite as a tremolite–actinolite amphibole aggregate; the origin, treatment and colour assignment of specific samples must be tested separately.

Sources G&G Summer 2023 · GIA Jade Description

Where it forms

Contact-metamorphic setting: Ca-Mg siliceous sediments heated by an igneous body.

Sources Handbook of Mineralogy

Regional metamorphism / greenschist facies: low-grade metamorphism of ultramafic or magnesium-carbonate rocks.

Sources Handbook of Mineralogy

Hydrothermal metasomatic (hydrothermal-metamorphic) setting: silica-rich fluids replacing dolomite-rich rocks, or calcium-rich fluids reacting with serpentinites.

Sources G&G Summer 2023

How it forms, step by step

  1. Protolith in place: dolomite-rich / magnesium-carbonate rock or ultramafic rock exists in contact with an igneous body or fluid system.

    Sources G&G Summer 2023

  2. Fluid metasomatism: silica-rich fluid enters dolomitic rock, or calcium-rich fluid reacts with serpentinite (metasomatism).

    Sources G&G Summer 2023

  3. Tremolite-actinolite crystallises: amphibole forms via the reaction 5 dolomite + 8 aqueous silica + water → tremolite + 3 calcite + 7 aqueous carbon dioxide.

    Sources G&G Summer 2023

  4. Fibrous interlocking (felted) aggregate develops: fine fibrous crystals interlock into a dense, tough jade.

    Sources G&G Summer 2023 · GIA Jade Description

Link to appearance

The fine interlocking fibrous texture makes nephrite exceptionally tough and carvable and gives its translucent-to-opaque, waxy look; colour varies with composition and iron content, generally more muted than jadeite.

Sources GIA Jade Description · G&G Summer 2023

Timescale

The available sources give no absolute geological age or date for nephrite formation.

Sources G&G Summer 2023

Supporting findings

Nephrite forms by hydrothermal metamorphism (metasomatism): silica-rich fluids infiltrate dolomite-rich rocks, or calcium-rich fluids react with serpentinites; the dolomite route can be written 5 dolomite + 8 aqueous silica + water → tremolite + 3 calcite + 7 aqueous carbon dioxide.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Describes the natural genesis of the underlying material (tremolite-actinolite nephrite) only; it does not establish a specimen's origin, treatment, or colour subcategory.

Sources G&G Summer 2023

Tremolite/actinolite occur in metamorphic settings: contact metamorphism of Ca-Mg siliceous sediments, and greenschist-facies rocks derived from ultramafic or magnesium-carbonate rocks; actinolite also occurs in glaucophane-bearing blueschists.

Evidence grade B

Scope: Describes the general metamorphic occurrence of tremolite/actinolite, not any specific locality or deposit.

Sources Handbook of Mineralogy

Recorded localities

Authoritative sources list the localities below; the list is not exhaustive.

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

Europe

North America

Oceania

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.

Causes of colour and optical effects

Nephrite is built of tiny interlocking amphibole crystals (fibrous/felted texture), which makes the material exceptionally tough and carvable, and renders it translucent to opaque with tones generally more muted than jadeite.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Relates nephrite's texture to its toughness and appearance; not an identification of a specimen.

Sources GIA Jade Description · G&G Summer 2023

Nephrite colours range from light to dark green, yellow, brown, black, grey and white; the iron-bearing actinolite end member is described as bright green to greyish green. However, the cited sources do not systematically state the specific colouring mechanism of the white/green/black/sugar/yellow subcategories; those causes require testing.

Evidence grade B

Scope: Colour range from GIA; actinolite end-member colour from HoM. The colouring mechanisms of the subcategories are not given in these sources and require testing, so are not asserted here.

Sources GIA Jade Description · Handbook of Mineralogy

Where the name comes from

Nephrite is a fibrous aggregate of actinolite–tremolite series amphibole; these sources give no etymology for the name "nephrite" itself. The name origins given are those of its constituent minerals: tremolite, from the Tremola Valley in Switzerland; actinolite, whose Greek name means "ray", after its radiating fibrous habit; and the serpentine minerals associated with nephrite — antigorite, from Val Antigorio in Italy, and lizardite, after the Lizard complex locality in Cornwall, England.

Evidence grade B

Scope: This states only the origin of the name and does not establish the material's composition, locality, natural origin, or whether it was treated.

Sources Handbook of Mineralogy

Human use and museum objects

One of the earliest datable nephrite objects is Cleveland 1953.628, an amulet of a seated figure with bovine head, c. 4700–2920 BCE, NE China Neolithic, probably Hongshan, of jade (nephrite); it shows nephrite used as a carving/pendant material in China as far back as the Neolithic.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Catalogue objects attest only to the existence and dating of those individual pieces; they are not evidence that the material was in common use in antiquity, nor do they attest to the origin, naturalness or treatment of any modern sample. Cultural attributions follow the museum's records and are not extended.

Sources Cleveland Museum of Art 1953.628 · Cleveland Museum of Art 1966.739 · Cleveland Museum of Art 1952.571.1 +2

Nephrite objects also occur in archaeological contexts beyond East Asia, e.g. The Met 1978.93.49 (ca. 1st century BCE–1st century CE, Parthian, Iran, Jade (?)) and The Met 1994.605.111a–e (early 8th century, Tang); but the raw-material source of each object requires separate testing, and catalogue records do not establish origin.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Catalogue objects attest only to the existence and dating of those individual pieces; they are not evidence that the material was in common use in antiquity, nor do they attest to the origin, naturalness or treatment of any modern sample. Cultural attributions follow the museum's records and are not extended.

Sources Cleveland Museum of Art 1953.628 · Cleveland Museum of Art 1966.739 · Cleveland Museum of Art 1952.571.1 +2

Nephrite (a tremolite–actinolite amphibole aggregate) has datable early objects in the collections: Cleveland 1953.628 (amulet, seated figure with bovine head, c. 4700–2920 BCE, NE China Neolithic, probably Hongshan, jade (nephrite)) reaches back to the Neolithic; then 1966.739 (1100–900 BCE, Western Zhou, Jade), 1952.571.1 (300–100 BCE, Warring States–Western Han, jade (nephrite)) and The Met 1994.605.111a–e (early 8th century, Tang, Jade (nephrite)). Nephrite objects also occur outside East Asia, e.g. The Met 1978.93.49 (ca. 1st century BCE–1st century CE, Parthian, Iran, Jade (?)). Note that some records say only "Jade" without separating nephrite from jadeite; this narrative uses those explicitly nephrite or assignable to nephrite.

Sources Cleveland Museum of Art 1953.628 · Cleveland Museum of Art 1966.739 · Cleveland Museum of Art 1952.571.1 +2

Scope: Catalogue objects attest only to the existence and dating of those individual pieces; they are not evidence that the material was in common use in antiquity, nor do they attest to the origin, naturalness or treatment of any modern sample. Cultural attributions follow the museum's records and are not extended.

Objects cited

6000 BCE4000 BCE2000 BCE02000CMA 1953.628c. 4700–2920 BCECMA 1966.7391100–900 BCECMA 1952.571.1300–100 BCEMet 1978.93.49ca. 1st century BCE–1st century CEMet 1994.605.111a–eearly 8th century
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
  • Cleveland Museum of Art 1953.628Amulet in the Form of a Seated Figure with Bovine Head · c. 4700–2920 BCE · Northeast China, Neolithic period, probably Hongshan culture (4700–2920 BCE)jade (nephrite)
  • Cleveland Museum of Art 1966.739Prismatic Bead with Ogre Mask · 1100–900 BCE · China, Western Zhou dynasty (c. 1046–771 BCE)Jade
  • Cleveland Museum of Art 1952.571.1Arc-shaped Pendant with Animal Mask and Interlaced Animal Bands (Huang) · 300–100 BCE · China, Warring States period (475–221 BCE) to Western Han dynasty (206 BCE–8 CE)jade (nephrite)
  • The Met 1994.605.111a–eAssemblage of pendants · early 8th century · ChinaJade (nephrite) with bronze and turquoise
  • The Met 1978.93.49Bead · ca. 1st century BCE–1st century CE · Parthian · IranJade (?)

How it is identified

Nephrite is not identified by its colour and waxy lustre, which material of other species — or dyed, waxed and otherwise treated nephrite — can imitate. Confirming the species and any treatment requires instrumental testing at a qualified gem laboratory; appearance alone is not enough.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Applies to jadeite and nephrite (Hetian jade); species and treatment calls require testing at a qualified gem laboratory, and this entry is not a self-testing basis.

Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Other research findings

Nephrite is not a single crystal but a fibrous, felted-to-interlocking aggregate; its amphibole is dominated by the tremolite-actinolite series, and its composition spans the end members tremolite (Ca2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2) and ferro-actinolite (Ca2Fe5Si8O22(OH)2).

Evidence grade A

Scope: Describes nephrite's mineral composition range only; it does not establish a specimen's origin, treatment, or colour.

Sources G&G Summer 2023

Nephrite (a tremolite-actinolite material) and jadeite (the pyroxene NaAlSi2O6) are two different gem materials; 'jade' is only a generic term covering both (and locally green omphacite), and the word has historically been misapplied to other similar-looking gems and imitations.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Defines the name boundary between nephrite and jadeite (and omphacite); it does not concern origin or treatment.

Sources GIA Jade Description · G&G Summer 2023

The serpentine group (antigorite, lizardite, etc.; Mg3Si2O5(OH)4), hardness about 2.5-3.5, belongs to the kaolinite-serpentine phyllosilicates and commonly forms by retrograde metamorphism/serpentinization of ultramafic rocks; it differs from nephrite (amphibole, hardness 5-6) in mineral group, composition and hardness and must not be conflated with nephrite or (serpentine) Xiuyan jade.

Evidence grade B

Scope: Defines the mineralogical boundary between nephrite and the serpentine group (Xiuyan jade etc.), using mineral group and hardness.

Sources Handbook of Mineralogy

Limits of this research

  • Research status: Formation, occurrence or other material-specific findings found in authoritative sources
  • Nephrite is polychrome, but the cited sources do not systematically state the colouring mechanisms of its subcategories; attribution requires testing.
  • No absolute geological age for nephrite formation is given in the available sources.
  • The material boundaries between nephrite, jadeite jade and serpentine (Xiuyan) jade are drawn here on mineral group, composition and hardness.

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
Nephrite jade

GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.2 “Nephrite” · CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 §7.2.1.154 “Nephrite”

Construction or treatment status

Natural; treatment common (require certificate to distinguish)

Treatments recorded for this material: Waxed, Filled / Fracture-filled, Dyed

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

Nephrite is often subjected to waxing. Under GB/T 16552-2017, waxing (not listed separately in GB/T; Table 1 groups it with colourless oil or wax filling) counts as an optimization, so the plain gem name may be used (§5.4.2.1 a). Do not assume it is unenhanced.

What this means for you

Before buying, check the recommended listing name "Nephrite jade" 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

Nephrite — 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

Nephrite — 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
Source & check 2026-09-25
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-25

Nephrite — 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

Nephrite — 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

Nephrite — 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

Nephrite — 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

Nephrite — care (chemicals): dissolves on contact with solvents such as nail varnish remover; keep it away from all solvents and other strong chemicals.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code i

Treatment state
any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-25
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-25

Nephrite — care (wear): Mohs 6 to 6.5, 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

Nephrite — care (special care): selectively dyed in carvings for artistic effect: special care (SC); avoid strong light.

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

Nephrite — 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

Nephrite — 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

Nephrite — 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

Nephrite — 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

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

CleaningWhether Nephrite can be cleaned ultrasonically depends on treatment state. GIAThe GIA Gem Encyclopedia jade care guide says untreated material can be cleaned ultrasonically and with steam, but jade may be dyed, bleached and impregnated, coated or heat-treated, so warm soapy water is always safe; the CIBJO Blue Book states that treated material must not be cleaned ultrasonically; Martin's Gemstone Durability: Design to Display says treated material should avoid harsh solvents. Heat and chemicals: GIA says a jeweller's torch and hot acids can damage Nephrite and that it is stable to light; CIBJO says it dissolves in solvents such as nail-polish remover and should be kept from all solvents and other harsh chemicals. Wear: GIA states that at Mohs 6–6.5 it needs protecting from scratches, but its toughness is excellent and it is highly resistant to breaking and chipping. Display: Martin's Gemstone Durability: Design to Display states that for untreated material artificial light is relatively safe, while display-case heat and daylight call for caution; specifically for dyed material, Martin states that it may fade on display, and the AGTA (American Gem Trade Association) states that carvings locally dyed for artistic effect need special care (marked SC) and should be kept out of strong light.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

QuestionMatching entries
Can it go in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner?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; treated material: avoid strong solvents
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 displayartificial light: relatively safe; heat in the display case and sunlight: use caution; Dyed material may fade
Contact with acids, alkalis and household chemicalsWarm acids can affect it; dissolves on contact with solvents such as nail varnish remover; keep it away from all solvents and other strong chemicals
Wearing limits (knocks, settings)Mohs 6 to 6.5, 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.

any treatment state

treated

untreated

treated (Only after these treatments: dyeing)

Durability and wearing

Toughness

Exceptional

Sources Handbook of Mineralogy

Treatments and identification leads

The treatments recorded for Nephrite are dyeing, surface waxing and filling, all with the status treated; dyeing has stability not stable and prevalence rare, surface waxing has stability not stable and prevalence common, and filling has both stability and prevalence shown as “—”. Dyeing can be recognised by uneven colour distribution, dyes possibly fluorescing distinctively under UV, colour coming off when wiped with solvents such as acetone or anhydrous ethanol, and compositional instruments such as XRF detecting foreign elements introduced by the dye; filling can be recognised by filled areas differing in lustre from the host, possible gas bubbles, and characteristic filler bands in the infrared spectrum. The identification leads and source for surface waxing are both shown as “—”. A “—” means the cited source gives no value, not “none”.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

TreatmentMarket frequency (CIBJO)Stability (CIBJO)GB/T 16552 categoryJJA/AGL listingIdentification leads
dyeingStatus: treatedrarelyunstableTreatment—See identification leads
surface waxingStatus: treatedcommonlyunstable———
fillingStatus: treated——Graded — see §5.4.1, Table 1—See identification leads
colouring (JJA category 7, includes dyeing)———colouring (JJA category 7, includes dyeing)—

Where each treatment acts (schematics): Dyed · Waxed · Filled / Fracture-filled

“—” means the cited source gives no value for that item, not “none”. Source: CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · GB/T 16553—2017; GB/T 16552—2017 Table B.1; JJA/AGL 2025

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

Nephrite — how lab reports word it (identification line): Nephrite reports name the amphibole group and actinolite-tremolite, with nephrite as the variety.

LMHC Information Sheet #11

Wording on the report: Group: amphibole

Case
when the variety name may be used
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Nephrite — how lab reports word it (treatment wording): The A/B/B+C/C trade labels apply to pyroxene jades only; nephrite treatments are stated without them.

LMHC Information Sheet #11

Rule in the information sheet (original wording): for jadeite jade, omphacite jade and kosmochlor jade only

Case
all cases
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

VerifyNames, standards, technical facts, clauses and sources

Names

Besides Nephrite, the name register records "Nephrite Cat's eye" and "Nephrite jade", for which no restriction on use as a name is recorded (CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 Annex 8 “Nephrite Cat’s eye”).

Standard and listing namesThe Chinese formal name for Nephrite comes from GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.2, and the suggested listing name is written as nephrite. Trade and mineralogical namesThe mineralogical name is Nephrite, an amphibole-group aggregate; the trade name/synonym is Nephrite jade. Names in four languagesNames are given in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English (Nephrite) and Japanese. Institution usageOn institutional wording, this site records only the Nephrite wording of FTC and CIBJO, while GIA and Gem-A are unchecked; bodies without a recorded wording show the entry's own English name, which does not represent their position. The CIBJO Jade Book notes that "soft jade" is not a CIBJO term. Japanese namesThe GSJ (Japan) formal name is the Japanese for nephrite, in both katakana and kanji forms; the wording used by GSJ (Japan) for this name is not yet verified by this site, and the entry's own Japanese name is shown. National standard namesGermany (RAL) uses Nephrit, noting that "Jade" is not used on its own; the European Union uses Nephrite. Trade and mineralogical namesIn the name register, Nephrite jade is a market name (by this site's ruling, with no clause attached), and Nephrite Cat's eye is a narrower name (variety/subtype), based on CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 Annex 8.

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)
Nephrite Cat's eyeEnglishnarrower name (variety or subtype)matched automaticallyno restriction recordedCIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 Annex 8 “Nephrite Cat’s eye”
Nephrite jadeEnglishmarket namematched automaticallyno restriction recordededitorial ruling (no clause cited)

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

Authority wording

GIA, FTC, CIBJO, Gem-A
Nephrite (on record for FTC, CIBJO; GIA, Gem-A unchecked — bodies without a recorded wording show the entry's own English name)
GSJ (Japan) formal name
ネフライト／軟玉 (not yet checked for this body — the entry's own Japanese name is shown)
Chinese formal name
软玉 (GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.2)
Mineralogical name
Nephrite (amphibole aggregate)
Trade names and synonyms
Nephrite jade (market name) · Nephrite Cat's eye (narrower name (variety or subtype))

Four-language names

简体中文
软玉
繁體中文
軟玉
English
Nephrite
日本語
ネフライト／軟玉

National and regional formal names

Germany (RAL)
Nephrit (RAL: nicht "Jade" allein)
European Union
Nephrite

Qualifiers stripped from the headline name

  • CIBJO: (CIBJO Jade Book: "soft jade" not a CIBJO term)

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)

Treatments listed by standards

GB/T Table B.1In the nephrite row of GB/T 16552—2017 Annex B Table B.1, the enhancement/treatment methods listed by the standard for Nephrite are filling and dyeing: filling improves or changes durability and appearance, with its category defined by grade; dyeing improves or changes colour and is classed as a treatment. The notes to Table B.1 and the grade definitions are on the treatments page. JJA/AGL designationsThe table in the November 2025 revision of the Japanese JJA/AGL Definitions and Nomenclature of Gemstones and Ornamental Materials lists Nephrite under the species Actinolite-Tremolite, with colours green, black, brown and others; it lists no treatment as a separate grade and records colouring (including dyeing) as dyeing; how to read the JJA/AGL table is explained on the treatments page.

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

Table B.1, row “Nephrite” (p.16):

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

MethodEffectCategory
FillingImproves or changes durability and appearanceGraded — see §5.4.1, Table 1
DyeingImproves or changes colourTreatment

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

JJA/AGL (Japan) table of principal gem names, 2025

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Gem nameSpeciesColourListed in the tableNotes
NephriteActinolite-Tremolitegreen, black, brown and othersan untreated tier is listed; colouring (JJA category 7, includes dyeing) (Dyed)

JJA/AGL definitions and nomenclature (2025 revision), table of principal gem names, p.9

How to read the JJA/AGL table: see the Gem treatments page.

What it is and how it's identified

The material facts for Nephrite are registered from GB/T 16553—2017: composition Ca2(Mg,Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2, structure a crystalline aggregate, often fibrous; Mohs hardness 6–6.5, and tremolite itself has two directions of perfect cleavage, generally not visible once it forms an aggregate, with this site noting that hardness alone is not enough to judge durability. Density 2.9–3.1 g/cm³, with the limits derived from the cited clause value of 2.95 and tolerances of +0.15 and −0.05. Optic character anisotropic aggregate; refractive index 1.6–1.641, derived from the clause value of 1.606–1.632 with tolerances of +0.009 and −0.006, and as the clause has finer sub-ranges, this site notes that the overall value is taken. Birefringence not measurable for an aggregate; untreated Nephrite shows no luminescence, pleochroism not measurable for an aggregate, an interwoven fibrous texture and mineral inclusions under magnification, and a vitreous to greasy lustre. Chatoyancy is visible; the UV-visible spectrum is not diagnostic, and the infrared spectrum shows characteristic absorption bands from Si-O and other group vibrations in the mid-infrared fingerprint region and from OH vibrations in the functional-group region.

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

Nephrite — composition (chemistry): Ca2 (Mg,Fe) 5Si8O22 (OH) 2

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): §5.2.2 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Structure

Nephrite — structure (overall): a crystalline aggregate that is often fibrous

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): §5.2.2 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Durability

Nephrite — Mohs hardness: 6–6.5

GB/T 16553—2017

123456789106–6.5References (diamond = value, bar = range; below)

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))

Mohs hardnessSource: GB/T 16553—2017
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): §5.2.2 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Nephrite — cleavage: Tremolite crystals cleave perfectly in two directions; aggregates usually have no cleavage.

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): §5.2.2 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

For Nephrite, 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 Nephrite itself is.

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

For Nephrite, the stability of surface waxing is “unstable”.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
treated
Treatment
surface waxing
Qualification

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

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

Physical properties

Nephrite — density: 2.9–3.1 g/cm³

GB/T 16553—2017

0.51.52.53.54.55.56.57.52.9–3.1
Specific gravitySource: GB/T 16553—2017
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Qualification

The clause we cite gives 2.95, with a stated tolerance of +0.15 / -0.05. The range shown here is worked out from that.

Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.2 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Optical

Optical effects on record: chatoyancyrepresentative example: cause in Tiger’s Eye (schematic)

Nephrite — 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): §5.2.2 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Nephrite — refractive index: 1.6–1.641

GB/T 16553—2017

1.31.72.12.52.93.31.6–1.641
Refractive indexSource: GB/T 16553—2017
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Qualification

The clause we cite gives 1.606–1.632, with a stated tolerance of +0.009 / -0.006. The range shown here is worked out from that.

General note
the clause has finer ranges
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.2 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Nephrite — 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): §5.2.2 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Nephrite — 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): §5.2.2 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Nephrite — fluorescence (overall): none

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): §5.2.2 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Nephrite — 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): §5.2.2 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Nephrite — spectrum (infrared): Si-O and similar groups vibrate to give the typical absorption bands in the fingerprint part of the mid-IR; OH vibration does the same in the functional group region.

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.2 (locator checked 2026-09-22)
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

Nephrite — optical effect (chatoyancy): seen

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): §5.2.2 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Nephrite — magnification: interwoven fibrous structure, mineral inclusions

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): §5.2.2 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Nephrite — body colour: Overall the range covers pale to deep green, yellow to brown, white, grey, black and the like.

Variety by variety — baiyu is pure white, or white faintly tinged grey, green or yellow; qingyu is a yellow-green or blue-green ranging from light grey to dark grey; qingbaiyu falls between baiyu and qingyu; biyu is vivid green to green; moyu is greyish black to black and holds microcrystalline graphite; tangyu is brown to yellowish brown; huangyu (Hetian yu) ranges from greenish yellow and pale yellow to yellow.

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 Vesuvianite / Idocrase, Turquoise, Silicified Jade and other variety clauses also name green or a greenish colour.

General note
colour alone is not identity
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.2 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26
CIBJO definitions
chatoyancy

Quality factors

Nephrite — quality factor (lustre): vitreous to greasy

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): §5.2.2 (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.

1.61.611.621.631.641.652.82.933.13.2Refractive indexSpecific gravity12345Nephrite

This material (RI / SG midpoints): 1.621 / 3; Closest values: 1Danburite 1.633 / 3, 2Amblygonite 1.607 / 3.02, 3Dushan Yu / Dushan Jade 1.63 / 2.9, 4Prehnite 1.625 / 2.88, 5Lazulite 1.627 / 3.12

Show the full chart (330 registered materials)1.41.51.61.71.81.922.12.22.32.41234567Refractive indexSpecific gravity12345Nephrite

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

Refractive index × specific gravity (all registered materials)Each dot is one material's registered refractive index and specific gravity (range midpoints, not measurements); gold = this material, dark = the nearest few (picked on this site by distance in RI ÷ 0.02 and SG ÷ 0.1, leaving out near-identical varieties of the same species)Source: each material's registered refractive index and specific gravity facts (GB/T 16553 and others; sources on each entry)

Testing and market

Identification leads for dyed Nephrite: dyeing may be overall or partial, with the surface often dyed brownish red, reddish brown to yellow and similar colours; under magnification the colour is unevenly distributed, mostly concentrated in fractures, gaps between grains or hollows; under long-wave and short-wave UV the dye may show distinctive fluorescence; solvents such as acetone or anhydrous ethanol can wipe off the colour; compositional analysis such as XRF can detect foreign elements introduced by the dye. Identification leads for filled Nephrite: under magnification, the lustre of filled parts differs from that of the host jade, and gas bubbles may be present in filled areas; infrared spectra detect characteristic bands of the filler; luminescence imaging such as UV fluorescence viewers can show the distribution of the filler; if the filler is wax, touching it with a hot point may make wax seep out. The dyeing leads are limited to colour-treated Nephrite and the filling leads to treated Nephrite; GB/T 16553—2017 can be followed only as a reference for Nephrite and does not directly govern it. CIBJO records that no synthetic counterpart of Nephrite is available on the market; for Nephrite in trade, dyeing is rare and surface waxing common; the CIBJO laboratory protocol requires particular checks for dyeing.

The tests the CIBJO laboratory protocol requires for this material, and what each method means, are in the protocol table on the laboratory testing page: §6.1.54.

How far testing can go

Nephrite that has undergone dyeing can be identified by the following features: The dyeing may cover the whole piece or only part of it, and the surface is commonly dyed brownish red, reddish brown to yellow.

Magnification shows the color spread unevenly, concentrating mostly in fissures, between grains and in surface hollows; under long-wave and short-wave ultraviolet light the dye may show a distinctive fluorescence; wiping with a solvent such as acetone or anhydrous ethanol can remove the color; and compositional analysis (XRF and the like) can detect foreign elements introduced by the dye, Pb for instance.

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
colour treated
Does this standard apply
can be followed as a reference only
Treatment
dyeing
Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.2 (dyeing) (locator checked 2026-09-22)
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

Nephrite that has undergone filling can be identified by the following features: Under magnification the surface luster of the filled part differs from that of the host jade and gas bubbles may be present in the filled area; infrared spectra show characteristic absorption bands of the filler; luminescence imaging (such as a UV fluorescence viewer) shows how the filler is distributed.

If the filler is wax, touching it with a hot needle may make wax seep out.

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
treated
Does this standard apply
can be followed as a reference only
Treatment
filling
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.2 (filling) (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Nephrite — synthetic counterpart on the market: No 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 Nephrite in trade, the reported frequency of dyeing is “rarely”.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

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

For Nephrite in trade, the reported frequency of surface waxing is “commonly”.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
treated
Treatment
surface waxing
Source & check 2026-09-25
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-25

Nephrite — what the CIBJO laboratory protocol says to watch for: dye

CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024

Treatment state
any treatment state
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.

Evidence and sources

Authority basis and clause sources

GB/T 16552—2017
Listed Table A.2 “Nephrite” · Source
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
Listed §7.2.1.154 “Nephrite” · Source

Sources

Further reading

Related pages

Treatments recorded for this material

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 Tremolite on this site: 6 entries listed by this site's parent-entry links; synthetic, treated and similar entries carry their recorded state after the name; this page (Nephrite) is marked.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

PageContentStatus
Browsing familyJade materialsLive
Treatments recorded for this materialWaxed, Filled / Fracture-filled, DyedLive
Related articlesTo be added (placeholder)Planned

Who maintains this page

The material facts in the Nephrite 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. The entry exists so that buyers and sellers can check naming, disclosure and material facts item by item.

Facts editor
June
Reviewer
Ralph
How facts are checked
Each fact is matched to the clause it cites; facts checked between 2026-09-21 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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