Nephrite jade and jadeite jade

Jade refers to two distinct minerals: jadeite (pyroxene) and nephrite (amphibole). Jadeite is a sodium and aluminum silicate (NaAlSi₂O₆), while nephrite is a fibrous aggregate rich in actinote. Jade comes in a wide range of colors, from intense green to white, lavender, yellow, brown, or black.

Used for millennia in China, Mesoamerica, and other civilizations, jade is prized for its high tenacity, exceptional polish, and natural beauty.

It should be noted that some green stones commercially referred to as "jade" are actually serpentine, a different group of minerals, often used as an imitation of jade.