Nephrite

Nephrite is a variety of the calcium, magnesium, and iron-rich amphibole minerals tremolite or actinolite. It one of two different mineral species called jade. The other mineral species known as jade is jadeite, which is a variety of pyroxene. Nephrite jade possesses mainly grays and greens (and occasionally yellows, browns or whites).

It can found in a translucent white to very light yellow form which known in China as mutton fat jade. In an opaque white to very light brown or gray which known as chicken bone jade, as well as in a variety of green colors.

The name derived from the Latin lapis nephriticus, which in turn derived from the Ancient Greek, which means “kidney stone”. Accordingly, nephrite jade was once believed to be a cure for kidney stones.