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 identifications are based solely on visual examination of the photographs provided. I do my best to describe each specimen accurately, but I am not a certified geologist, and some assessments may be incorrect. Buyers should review the images carefully and verify details independently.