Speaking of Hetian jade, we will inevitably mention a word that is nephrite. Many jade friends who have just entered the jade circle don’t understand why Hetian jade is called nephrite. Is it because the jade is very soft? In fact, it is not based on jadeite. Jadeite is the jadeite we often say, and Hetian jade The hardness of jade is lower than that of jade, hence the name nephrite. Although the name Hetian jade is inseparable from the nephrite jade, you have to bear the name of the nephrite jade wherever you go, but if you have known or played Hetian jade, then you know that Hetian jade is actually related to this nephrite It doesn't matter much. Not only is it not soft, it is also very hard. So today I will tell you in detail why Hetian jade is called "nephrite", hoping to give you some help.
nephrite refers to some silicate minerals in amphibole (such as tremolite, actinolite and other series of minerals) with gem value. The fine amphibole mineral crystals are intertwined in fibrous form to form a dense aggregate with fine texture and good toughness. There are many kinds of nephrite jade, and there are many colors, but they all have grease luster. Nephrite is an aggregate composed of amphibole minerals. The fine amphibole mineral crystals are intertwined in fibrous form to form a dense aggregate with fine texture and good toughness. The industry usually refers to "Hetian jade" as the representative of nephrite.
The difference between nephrite jade and jadeite jade is that the color of nephrite jade is relatively uniform, with white, dark green, black green, etc., without bright green. Nephrite has a grease luster without emerald. The specific gravity of nephrite (3.00) is slightly lower than that of jade. The refractive index of nephrite (1.62) is also slightly lower than that of jadeite.
There are many types of nephrite jade: for example: Xiu jade, Nanyang jade, Lantian jade, Hetian jade, agate, crystal, coral, turquoise, lapis lazuli, etc., all belong to the category of nephrite. Later, due to the opening of the Silk Road, the jade produced in the Hotan area of Xinjiang received unanimous recognition, and began to become the protagonist in the processing of palace, official and private jade, and nephrite gradually evolved into a synonym for Hetian jade.
Nephrite is mainly Hetian jade: If nephrite is distinguished by color difference, there are seven kinds of nephrite, namely white jade, sheep fat jade, sapphire, topaz, sugar jade, black jade, and jasper. The seven kinds of jade have different colors and their own characteristics.
