![scrapbook page with pictures of jade chunks grouped separately, some as jadeite and others as nephrite](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/ii_wmjs_rawjade/4219003-4-eng-US/ii_wmjs_rawjade_full_495.jpg 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/ii_wmjs_rawjade/4219003-4-eng-US/ii_wmjs_rawjade_full_990.jpg 926w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/ii_wmjs_rawjade/4219003-4-eng-US/ii_wmjs_rawjade_full_1468.jpg 926w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/ii_wmjs_rawjade/4219003-4-eng-US/ii_wmjs_rawjade_full_1980.jpg 926w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/ii_wmjs_rawjade/4219003-4-eng-US/ii_wmjs_rawjade_full_2475.jpg 926w)
jadeite and nephrite are jade
Did you know that jade is actually a common name for two different rocks: nephrite and jadeite rock? These rocks have very similar physical properties, so people often lump them together and call them jade.
jadeite
I've found jadeite rock in all kinds of amazing colors and patterns. Which is your favorite?
![chunk of white and lavender mottled jade](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite01example/4230166-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite01example_full_495.jpg 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite01example/4230166-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite01example_full_990.jpg 720w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite01example/4230166-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite01example_full_1468.jpg 720w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite01example/4230166-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite01example_full_1980.jpg 720w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite01example/4230166-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite01example_full_2475.jpg 720w)
![chunk of orange jade with one side unpolished, looking rough and brown](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawhide_jadeite02example/4230170-1-eng-US/rawhide_jadeite02example_full_495.jpg 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawhide_jadeite02example/4230170-1-eng-US/rawhide_jadeite02example_full_990.jpg 720w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawhide_jadeite02example/4230170-1-eng-US/rawhide_jadeite02example_full_1468.jpg 720w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawhide_jadeite02example/4230170-1-eng-US/rawhide_jadeite02example_full_1980.jpg 720w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawhide_jadeite02example/4230170-1-eng-US/rawhide_jadeite02example_full_2475.jpg 720w)
![retangular chunk of dark green jade with large white patches](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite03example/4230174-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite03example_full_495.jpg 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite03example/4230174-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite03example_full_990.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite03example/4230174-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite03example_full_1468.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite03example/4230174-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite03example_full_1980.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite03example/4230174-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite03example_full_2475.jpg 960w)
![white, rough-surfaced jade chunk](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite04example/4230178-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite04example_full_495.jpg 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite04example/4230178-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite04example_full_990.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite04example/4230178-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite04example_full_1468.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite04example/4230178-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite04example_full_1980.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite04example/4230178-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite04example_full_2475.jpg 960w)
![chunk of jade that is vivid green and white with dark streak running through it](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite05example/4230182-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite05example_full_495.jpg 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite05example/4230182-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite05example_full_990.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite05example/4230182-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite05example_full_1468.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite05example/4230182-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite05example_full_1980.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite05example/4230182-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite05example_full_2475.jpg 960w)
![chunk of white jade with green vertical striations in it](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite06example/4230186-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite06example_full_495.jpg 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite06example/4230186-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite06example_full_990.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite06example/4230186-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite06example_full_1468.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite06example/4230186-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite06example_full_1980.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite06example/4230186-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite06example_full_2475.jpg 960w)
![oblong chunk of orange jade with black patch](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite07example/4230190-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite07example_full_495.jpg 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite07example/4230190-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite07example_full_990.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite07example/4230190-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite07example_full_1468.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite07example/4230190-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite07example_full_1980.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite07example/4230190-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite07example_full_2475.jpg 960w)
![smooth chunk of pale grey-green jade with thin whitish veins](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite08example/4230194-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite08example_full_495.jpg 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite08example/4230194-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite08example_full_990.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite08example/4230194-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite08example_full_1468.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite08example/4230194-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite08example_full_1980.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite08example/4230194-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite08example_full_2475.jpg 960w)
![triangular piece of jade with pale blue green color in center and orange brown tinges on the edges](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite09example/4230198-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite09example_full_495.jpg 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite09example/4230198-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite09example_full_990.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite09example/4230198-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite09example_full_1468.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite09example/4230198-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite09example_full_1980.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite09example/4230198-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite09example_full_2475.jpg 960w)
![chunk of jade in patches of white, vivid dark green, and orange](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite10example/4230202-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite10example_full_495.jpg 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite10example/4230202-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite10example_full_990.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite10example/4230202-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite10example_full_1468.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite10example/4230202-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite10example_full_1980.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_jadeite10example/4230202-1-eng-US/rawjade_jadeite10example_full_2475.jpg 960w)
nephrite
Look at the interesting patterns of these nephrite rocks!
![nephrite with mottled colors of pale green, white and black](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_nephrite01example/4230096-1-eng-US/rawjade_nephrite01example_full_495.jpg 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_nephrite01example/4230096-1-eng-US/rawjade_nephrite01example_full_990.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_nephrite01example/4230096-1-eng-US/rawjade_nephrite01example_full_1468.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_nephrite01example/4230096-1-eng-US/rawjade_nephrite01example_full_1980.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_nephrite01example/4230096-1-eng-US/rawjade_nephrite01example_full_2475.jpg 960w)
![dark chunk of nephrite](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_nephrite02example/4230100-1-eng-US/rawjade_nephrite02example_full_495.jpg 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_nephrite02example/4230100-1-eng-US/rawjade_nephrite02example_full_990.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_nephrite02example/4230100-1-eng-US/rawjade_nephrite02example_full_1468.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_nephrite02example/4230100-1-eng-US/rawjade_nephrite02example_full_1980.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_nephrite02example/4230100-1-eng-US/rawjade_nephrite02example_full_2475.jpg 960w)
![chunk of jade with mottled colors of green, black and white](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_nephrite03example/4230109-1-eng-US/rawjade_nephrite03example_full_495.jpg 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_nephrite03example/4230109-1-eng-US/rawjade_nephrite03example_full_990.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_nephrite03example/4230109-1-eng-US/rawjade_nephrite03example_full_1468.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_nephrite03example/4230109-1-eng-US/rawjade_nephrite03example_full_1980.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_nephrite03example/4230109-1-eng-US/rawjade_nephrite03example_full_2475.jpg 960w)
![egg shaped chunk of light green jade with yellowish veins](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_nephrite04example/4230123-2-eng-US/rawjade_nephrite04example_full_495.jpg 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_nephrite04example/4230123-2-eng-US/rawjade_nephrite04example_full_990.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_nephrite04example/4230123-2-eng-US/rawjade_nephrite04example_full_1468.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_nephrite04example/4230123-2-eng-US/rawjade_nephrite04example_full_1980.jpg 960w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/rawjade_nephrite04example/4230123-2-eng-US/rawjade_nephrite04example_full_2475.jpg 960w)
Image Credits:
All photos: courtesy of AMNH, Denis Finnin