Jade has a reputation as a bit of a confusing stone, partly because much of the information about jade is .locked behind a language barrier, and the fact that there are two categories of jade adds another level of confusion to this. Let's dive in and clear up all this confusion!

In Short

Nephrite: Nephrite jade is softer with less luster than jadeite. Most nephrite jewelry typically comes in white or dark green, though it can come in varieties like black and light green. Nephrite is also generally cheaper than jadeite.

Jadeite: Jadeite jade is harder (6.5-7 on Mohs scale) with more luster and translucency than nephrite. Jadiete comes in a wider variety of colors, like apple green, forest green, imperial green, blue, orange, black, gray, red, yellow, and more. Jadeite is generally more expensive than nephrite.

While it may seem that jadeite is always a better choice than jadeite, this isn't true! Nephrite's relative opaqueness and affordability makes it a great material for modern, fashion-forward jewelry; it also continues to be China's #1 choice for jade carvings due to its softness.

The highest quality jadeite typically comes from Myanmar, while the most famous nephrite - especially white nephrite - typically originates from Hetian, northwest China. Blue jadeite, an international favourite, usually originates from Guateamala.

All the jadeite we carry originates from Myanmar or Guatemala, and the vast majority of nephrite we carry also originates from Hetian. Check out our blog below to clear up any more questions you have about jade!