Skip to content
What Are the Different Types of Jade?
Names such as Imperial Jade, lavender jade, Maw-sit-sit and “new jade” create even more confusion. Some describe color, some describe different materials and others are misleading trade names.
1. Jadeite
Jadeite belongs to the pyroxene mineral group. It is the form of jade most strongly associated with Myanmar and with highly translucent, vividly colored gems.
Natural Jadeite occurs in green, lavender, white, gray, yellow, honey-orange, reddish orange, brown and black. A single piece may combine several colors or display natural variations throughout the stone.
The rare combination of vivid emerald-green color, fine texture and strong translucency is traditionally known as Imperial Jade. Beautiful Jadeite does not need to be green, however. Fine lavender, white, yellow and multicolored pieces can also be highly desirable. Explore the wider palette in our guide to the colors of jade.
Myanmar—historically known as Burma—is the world’s best-known source of fine gem-quality Jadeite. Burmese origin does not automatically make every piece valuable: color, translucency, texture, craftsmanship, size, condition and treatment status still matter. Learn more in our guide to Burmese Jade.
2. Nephrite
Nephrite consists primarily of densely interwoven amphibole minerals. It commonly appears in creamy white, pale green, spinach green, dark green, gray, brown and black. Its colors are often softer than those found in Jadeite, although exceptional nephrite can still be beautiful and valuable.
Nephrite has been used for tools, ceremonial objects and decorative art for thousands of years. It was the material behind China’s earliest jade traditions. In Aotearoa New Zealand, nephrite is also one of the important materials known as pounamu, a treasured stone with deep significance in Māori culture.
Nephrite is not fake or inferior jade. It is genuine jade, but it should be identified accurately rather than presented as Jadeite. For a deeper comparison, read Nephrite vs. Jadeite Jade.
Jadeite vs. Nephrite at a Glance
| Characteristic | Jadeite | Nephrite |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral family | Pyroxene | Amphibole |
| Appearance | May show vivid colors and greater translucency | Often has softer colors and a smooth, dense appearance |
| Mohs hardness | Approximately 6.5–7 | Approximately 6–6.5 |
| Toughness | Exceptionally tough | Generally even tougher |
| Well-known sources | Most famously Myanmar | China, Canada, New Zealand, Russia and others |
Appearance alone cannot always distinguish the two. Professional gemological testing is the most reliable option when certainty is important.
Are Imperial, Lavender and White Jade Different Types?
Not in the same sense as Jadeite and nephrite. These names usually describe color, appearance or a trade variety.
Imperial Jade describes exceptionally fine green Jadeite, while lavender jade usually refers to lavender-colored Jadeite. White or black jade may describe Jadeite, nephrite or, in some listings, another material entirely. A color name alone is therefore not enough to identify the stone.
What Do Type A, B and C Mean?
Type A, B and C are treatment categories—not different mineral varieties or quality grades. The system is primarily applied to Jadeite and is not commonly used for nephrite.
| Jadeite type | What it means |
|---|---|
| Type A | Natural Jadeite that has not been bleached and polymer-impregnated or dyed; traditional surface waxing may be permitted |
| Type B | Jadeite that has been chemically bleached and impregnated with polymer |
| Type C | Jadeite that has been dyed |
| Type B+C | Jadeite that has been both polymer-impregnated and dyed |
Type B treatment can make Jadeite initially appear cleaner or more translucent, while Type C introduces artificial color. These treatments should always be disclosed, and treated material should never be represented as untreated Type A Jadeite. Read more about the downsides of treated jade.
Maw-Sit-Sit and Other Jade-Like Materials
Maw-sit-sit is a vivid green-and-black ornamental rock from Myanmar’s jade-mining region. It is natural, attractive and collectible, but it is not the same material as ordinary Jadeite. A responsible seller should identify it specifically as Maw-sit-sit.
Jade’s popularity creates opportunities for confusing trade names and deliberate scams. Some sellers misrepresent treated Jadeite, other natural stones, glass or manufactured materials as valuable untreated jade. Others may simply repeat inaccurate names without understanding the material.
- “New jade,” which frequently refers to serpentine
- Aventurine, serpentine, chrysoprase or dyed quartz sold under jade-related names
- Glass, resin, composite or reconstructed materials
- Treated Jadeite sold without treatment disclosure
A stone being natural does not automatically make it jade. Serpentine and aventurine are natural stones, for example, but neither should be sold as Jadeite or nephrite.
Warning Signs When Buying Jade Online
No single warning sign proves that a listing is fraudulent, but buyers should be cautious when:
- The seller says only “natural jade” without identifying Jadeite or nephrite.
- Treatment status is missing or deliberately vague.
- Terms such as “certified,” “Grade A” or “genuine” appear without explanation.
- Photographs look heavily saturated, filtered or inconsistent.
- A certificate cannot be connected clearly to the exact piece.
- The seller guarantees investment returns or avoids questions about origin and treatment.
Home tests involving scratching, striking, heat or chemicals are unreliable and may damage the jewelry. Sophisticated treatment can require professional testing to detect. Our guide to spotting fake jade explains what buyers can—and cannot—determine at home.
Which Type of Jade Is Best?
There is no universal answer. Choose Jadeite if you love vivid color, translucency or the visual character associated with Burmese Jadeite. Choose nephrite if you appreciate its exceptional toughness, softer appearance and extensive cultural history.
What matters most is accurate disclosure. A trustworthy seller should identify the material and treatment status, provide exact measurements, disclose meaningful natural characteristics and clarify whether the photographs show the exact piece being sold.
The Simple Answer
- Jadeite and nephrite are the two true forms of jade.
- Imperial, lavender and white jade are color or trade varieties—not separate mineral types.
- Type A, B and C describe treatment status—not quality grades.
Explore Type A Jadeite
See how natural color, texture and character appear across real pieces of untreated Myanmar Jadeite.
