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Even since ancient times, people are already engrossed with gemstones. Adornments of various forms, jewelries, and sculptures can be made from these stones. Alaskan jade is one such example of a gemstone. It is similar to Chinese jadeite with certain distinctions. Learn what sets it apart and its various properties.
This sort of gemstone is extracted from the lands of Alaska. It is then made as the state stone. It may also be extracted from the mountains of British Columbia, the current biggest producer of such pretty stones. This pretty stone may also be extracted in some parts of California.
It is a known fact that gemstones are hard. A Mohs scale grading of ten is given to diamonds, the hardest natural things found in earth. Gemstones and their hardness are graded using the Mohs scale. The nephrite stone from Alaska is graded 4.5-6.5 while Chinese jadeite is graded seven. The nephrite form is easier to carve and is also less expensive.
The two kinds of jades have differing compositions of minerals. The Chinese jadeite is made from the minerals of the pyroxene group. The softer nephrite variety is made from the minerals of the amphibole group. They differ in the molecular structure and composition although they are made from chain silicates.
These two varieties are also colored differently. A deep dark green color is exhibited by the nephrite form as well as other shades of green. Shades such as pink, yellow, white, and red as well as light green are displayed by jadeite.
A certified gemologist is needed to differentiate the two varieties. Microscopes, spectrographs, and scientific tests are used to evaluate the stone. They can classify if the stone is nephrite or jadeite.
Alaskan jade can be used in various applications. They may be embedded and adorned into various kinds of objects. They can also be formed into intricate jewelry pieces. This is a less expensive type of gemstone that one can have many uses for.
This sort of gemstone is extracted from the lands of Alaska. It is then made as the state stone. It may also be extracted from the mountains of British Columbia, the current biggest producer of such pretty stones. This pretty stone may also be extracted in some parts of California.
It is a known fact that gemstones are hard. A Mohs scale grading of ten is given to diamonds, the hardest natural things found in earth. Gemstones and their hardness are graded using the Mohs scale. The nephrite stone from Alaska is graded 4.5-6.5 while Chinese jadeite is graded seven. The nephrite form is easier to carve and is also less expensive.
The two kinds of jades have differing compositions of minerals. The Chinese jadeite is made from the minerals of the pyroxene group. The softer nephrite variety is made from the minerals of the amphibole group. They differ in the molecular structure and composition although they are made from chain silicates.
These two varieties are also colored differently. A deep dark green color is exhibited by the nephrite form as well as other shades of green. Shades such as pink, yellow, white, and red as well as light green are displayed by jadeite.
A certified gemologist is needed to differentiate the two varieties. Microscopes, spectrographs, and scientific tests are used to evaluate the stone. They can classify if the stone is nephrite or jadeite.
Alaskan jade can be used in various applications. They may be embedded and adorned into various kinds of objects. They can also be formed into intricate jewelry pieces. This is a less expensive type of gemstone that one can have many uses for.
