Nephrite is the chemical variety of Jade composed of calcium, magnesium, and amphiboles. THe name comes from the Greek word nephros meaning kidney and the natural shape of Nephrite stones led ancient Chinese to consider it for healing kidney ailments. Nephrite is generally only green, cream, or white, and its dense fibrous composition make it reliable for heavily worn jewelry and artifacts.
| Chemical Formula | Nephrite: Ca2(Mg,Fe)5(Si4O11)2(OH)2 |
| Color | Green, Cream, White |
| Hardness | 6Â -Â 6.5 |
| Crystal System | Monoclinic |
| Refractive Index | 1.60Â -Â 1.641 |
| SG | 2.9Â -Â 3.02 |
| Transparency | Translucent to opaque |
| Double Refraction | 0.027 |
| Luster | Vitreous to greasy |
| Cleavage | None |
| Mineral Class | Actinolite or Tremolite |
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