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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It was easy to find the kind of stone I was looking for in the price range I preferred.

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ease of going through site and making purchase. will update when item received

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Easy to navigate website, excellent photos of gemstones, good information about the different gemstones

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I was looking for a gemstone called Sphene/Titanite and found it on GemSelect. They had many gems to choose from and had good prices. I received my order a little later than expected but given that it's coming from overseas I wasn't too worried. The 2 gems I received are beautiful. I have to say that I have no gem knowledge- I am a novice and I ordered the Sphene for healing purposes, so I am hoping they are real. I have no way of confirming if that is true. But they are beautiful!

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