![scrapbook page with pictures of jade in regular light, and with a light source pressed against it to show translucency](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/ii_wmjs_translucency/4219007-3-eng-US/ii_wmjs_translucency_full_495.jpg 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/ii_wmjs_translucency/4219007-3-eng-US/ii_wmjs_translucency_full_990.jpg 926w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/ii_wmjs_translucency/4219007-3-eng-US/ii_wmjs_translucency_full_1468.jpg 926w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/ii_wmjs_translucency/4219007-3-eng-US/ii_wmjs_translucency_full_1980.jpg 926w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/ii_wmjs_translucency/4219007-3-eng-US/ii_wmjs_translucency_full_2475.jpg 926w)
![4 samples of jade in various colors with light sources emanating through](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/translucency_moretranslucentjade/4200852-1-eng-US/translucency_moretranslucentjade_full_495.jpg 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/translucency_moretranslucentjade/4200852-1-eng-US/translucency_moretranslucentjade_full_990.jpg 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/translucency_moretranslucentjade/4200852-1-eng-US/translucency_moretranslucentjade_full_1468.jpg 1200w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/translucency_moretranslucentjade/4200852-1-eng-US/translucency_moretranslucentjade_full_1980.jpg 1200w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/translucency_moretranslucentjade/4200852-1-eng-US/translucency_moretranslucentjade_full_2475.jpg 1200w)
more translucent jade
The translucency of jade jewelry affects its value. The more translucent jade is, the higher its cost. They can be mesmerizing to look at.
![chunk of opaque jade which no light can emanate through](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/translucency_opaquejade/4200856-1-eng-US/translucency_opaquejade_full_495.jpg 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/translucency_opaquejade/4200856-1-eng-US/translucency_opaquejade_full_990.jpg 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/translucency_opaquejade/4200856-1-eng-US/translucency_opaquejade_full_1468.jpg 1000w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/translucency_opaquejade/4200856-1-eng-US/translucency_opaquejade_full_1980.jpg 1000w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/translucency_opaquejade/4200856-1-eng-US/translucency_opaquejade_full_2475.jpg 1000w)
opaque jade
Not all jade is translucent, like this one. When light can't pass through, it's called opaque.
![piece of jade in regular light, and again with flashlight pressed against it so one can see translucency](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/translucency_lightcanpassthrough/4200848-1-eng-US/translucency_lightcanpassthrough_full_495.jpg 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/translucency_lightcanpassthrough/4200848-1-eng-US/translucency_lightcanpassthrough_full_990.jpg 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/translucency_lightcanpassthrough/4200848-1-eng-US/translucency_lightcanpassthrough_full_1468.jpg 1400w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/translucency_lightcanpassthrough/4200848-1-eng-US/translucency_lightcanpassthrough_full_1980.jpg 1400w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/earth/jade/wmjs-what-makes-jade-special/translucency_lightcanpassthrough/4200848-1-eng-US/translucency_lightcanpassthrough_full_2475.jpg 1400w)
light can pass through jade
This piece of jade may look like an ordinary rock, but let me show you a special trick with a flashlight... Look! You can see light right through it. This piece of jade is translucent. This happens when its tight network of grains does not scatter light. Instead, light is able to pass through.
Image Credits:
Jade: courtesy of AMNH, Denis Finnin; George Harlow: courtesy of AMNH, Roderick Mickens