Description :

Nephrite Jade

Nephrite is one of the two true jades (the other is jadeite). It’s a calcium‑magnesium amphibole, and its structure is what makes it special.

How to recognize it

• Deep, even greens (but can range from creamy white to almost black)

• A tough, fibrous, interlocking texture — it feels cohesive and strong

• Smooth, waxy luster when polished

• Breaks with a splintery, silky interior

• Heavy for its size

Why it’s valued

• One of the toughest natural materials on Earth

• Used for thousands of years in tools, carvings, and ornaments

• Takes a beautiful, soft polish

Your raw green chunk and your polished green stone both show classic nephrite traits.

Speckled Jade (Speckled Nephrite)

This is not a separate mineral — it’s a pattern variation of nephrite jade.

What makes it “speckled”

• Dark green to black inclusions of minerals like magnetite, chromite, or actinolite

• A mottled or spotted pattern rather than a uniform color

• Still has the same toughness and waxy luster as standard nephrite

Why it’s distinctive

• The speckling gives each piece a unique, almost painterly pattern

• Often found in the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, and parts of Siberia

• Highly collectible because the patterning is so individual

Your polished green stone with black speckles is a textbook example.

Serpentine

Serpentine is a group of magnesium silicate minerals, and although it can look similar to jade, it behaves very differently.

How to recognize it

• Softer and lighter than nephrite

• Often shows white or cream veining

• Can be waxy or silky, but lacks nephrite’s dense toughness

• Breaks more easily and feels less cohesive

• Colors range from pale apple green to deep olive

Why it’s often confused with jade

• Similar color range

• Takes a nice polish

• Historically used as a jade substitute

  This green stone with white fracture‑fill veins is classic serpentine — especially the way the veins cut through the surface.

Disclaimer: All gemstone and mineral descriptions are provided to the best of our ability based on visual assessment and available information. None of the stones in this auction have been GIA‑certified or professionally graded. The winning bidder is welcome to have any stone independently certified, graded, or appraised at their own expense. All items are sold as‑is.