Jade vs. Jadeite: What's the Difference?
You may hear jade and jadeite used as if they mean the same thing. They're closely related, but there's an important difference.
Jade is the umbrella term for two distinct gemstones: jadeite and nephrite.
Jadeite vs. Nephrite: A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Jadeite | Nephrite |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Genuine jade | Genuine jade |
| Mineral family | Pyroxene | Amphibole |
| Colours | Green, white, lavender, yellow & more | Commonly green, cream, white & brown |
| Appearance | Can show vivid colour and high translucency | Often has a softer, more fibrous appearance |
| Rarity | Generally rarer | Generally more abundant |
| At Jade & Flo's | ✓ Natural Type A Jadeite | — |
What Is Type A Jadeite?
Type A jadeite is natural jadeite that has not been chemically treated, dyed or polymer-impregnated. Traditional cleaning and waxing may be used during finishing, but the stone's natural colour and structure remain unaltered.
At Jade & Flo's, this is the jadeite we choose.
Every stone naturally varies in colour, translucency, texture and inclusions — details that make each piece beautifully individual.
The Easiest Way to Remember
All jadeite is jade.
But not all jade is jadeite.