The main difference between green aventurine and jade is that green aventurine has a glossy look while jade has a matte, opaque look.
Green aventurine and jade are two gemstones known for their characteristic green color. Some also call aventurine Indian jade or Australian jade. But they are not real forms of jade and are made of quartz.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Green Aventurine
– Definition, Features
2. What is Jade
– Definition, Features, Jadeite, Nephrite
3. Difference Between Green Aventurine and Jade
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Green Aventurine, Gemstones, Jade
What is Green Aventurine
Aventurine is a translucent mineral comprising small reflective particles, especially quartz containing iron or mica. Although aventurines are typically green in color, they are also available in colors like blue, gray, orange, yellow, and brown. Green aventurines get their color from Fuschite, which is a chromium-rich variety of Muscovite. This green can vary from light green to dark green. Moreover, the shimmering effect of aventurine is called aventurescence. The intensity of this effect depends on the size and density of the inclusions. These inclusions are often Muscovite mica, Hematite, or Goethite. India, Brazil, Russia, Austria, and Tanzania are countries that mine aventurine.
What is Jade
Jade is a generic name we use to refer to two gemstones: jadeite and nephrite. Both jadeite and nephrite are metamorphic rocks that are extremely tough. These varieties have different mineral compositions.
Nephrite
Nephrite is made of magnesium, calcium, and iron-rich amphibole minerals tremolite or actinolite. Its color can be dark to light green; we can also occasionally find colors like yellow, brown, grey, and white. The colors of nephrite are more muted than the colors of jadeites. But nephrite is also accepted as jade in the international gem market. They are more common than jadeite and are less valuable. We can use nephrite to make beads, ornamental stones in carvings, and cabochon-cut gemstones. Moreover, nephrite can occur in extremely large sizes. Myanmar is currently the largest exporter of jade. However, the best jade carvers are usually from China.
Jadeite
Jadeite is a pyroxene mineral and a high-quality jade suitable for use in jewelry. It is more translucent than nephrite and has a greater hardness. It is also rare and more expensive. Myanmar is the source of nearly 90% of jadeite in the world market. There are also jadeite deposits in other countries like the USA, Russia, Canada, and Japan.
Jadeite comes in a range of colors – various shades of green, reddish-orange, yellow, white, grey, black, brown, and lavender. Green jadeite is the most valuable form. Among these green jadeites, imperial jade is the most valuable and rarest. Its color and transparency rival emeralds, although imperial jade has a slight yellow hue than emerald. Other valuable green jadeite varieties include apple jade (a deep yellowish-green shade), kingfisher jade (slightly less intense than imperial jade), and moss-in-snow jade (translucent white with bright green veins or spots).
Difference Between Green Aventurine and Jade
Definition
Green aventurine is a green mineral comprising small reflective particles, especially quartz containing iron or mica, whereas jade is a hard green stone consisting of jadeite or nephrite.
Chemical Composition
Green aventurine is made up of fuchsite. Nephrite is made up of magnesium and calcium silicate, while jadeite is made of sodium and aluminum silicate.
Aventurescence Effect
Green aventurine has an aventurescence effect, while jade does not have an aventurescence effect.
Look
Jade has an opaque, non-glimmering look, but green aventurine has a glossy look.
Value
Jade tends to be more valuable than green aventurine.
Conclusion
Green aventurine is a green mineral comprising small reflective particles, especially quartz containing iron or mica, whereas jade is a hard green stone consisting of jadeite or nephrite. The main difference between green aventurine and jade is that green aventurine has a glossy look while jade has a matte, opaque look.
Reference:
1. “Jade, Jadeite, and Nephrite.” AJS Gems.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Green Aventurine Necklace” By Deomar Pandan, KamayoJewelry.com (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Jade – Nephrite (2932215767)” By Stephanie Clifford from Arlington, VA, USA – Jade – Nephrite (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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