Jade has been known and treasured for more than 7,000 years. But only in 1863 was it discovered that jade is actually not a single mineral. What was traditionally called jade is in fact two separate and distinct minerals: jadeite and nephrite.
Nephrite is the more common form of jade. Nephrite ranges in color from mid- to dark-green or grey-green, but it can also be white, yellowish or reddish. Nephrite is slightly softer than jadeite; nephrite is 6-6.5 on the Mohs scale, while jadeite is 6.5-7. They have quite different chemical compositions as well; nephrite is a calcium magnesium iron silicate while jadeite is a sodium aluminum silicate. The two minerals also have different densities. Jadeite has a density of 3.30-3.38 while nephrite is less dense at 2.90-3.03.
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Through my Gemology course at OSU, I found this website and thought it's layout was appealing, as well as the amount of gems that are offered. Purchasing one was easy and simple, and I'll most likely do it again some time.
I like purchasing with Gemselect. The critic I must do in this case particularlly, is tha the emerald I bought was not CUT as fine as other gems I had acquired. There was no simetry, because it was thinner on one side. an this could not be appreciated on the catalog fotos.
Lots of pictures provide you with a detailed description of the items you're purchasing. I'm not knowledgeable on gems but just needed to satiate my curiosity. GemSelect made it quite easy.
I’ve made several purchases from Gemselect over the past few years since I began making jewelry. I have been always pleased with the website and quality of stones and shipping. I will keep coming back to shop here.
