AllMineralsRock
Agate Vs. Jade
Agate is a very popular gemstone composed of silicon dioxide.[1] Jade is also a very popular gemstone and its chemical composition is sodium aluminum silicate.[2]
Quick Facts on Differences of Agate and Jade
For a quick recap of the differences agate and jade:- While both agate and jade can be opaque or translucent, agate can be transparent.
- In terms of crystallography, agate can be hexagonal or trigonal while jade is monoclinic.
- For chemical formulas, agate is SiO2 while jade is NaAlSi2O6.
- While both agate and jade can be vitreous or waxy, in terms of luster, agate can be greasy.
- Agate can be commonly red or white while jade can be commonly green.
- Agate's rarity is less rare than jade.
- Agate's specific gravity is lower than jade - agate ranges from 2.6 to 2.64 and jade ranges from 2.9 to 3.38.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Agate and Jade
The similarities of agate and jade include:- Agate and jade both streak white.
- Agate's hardness overlaps with jade - agate ranges from 6.5 to 7 and jade ranges from 6 to 7 on the Moh's scale.
Summary of Agate
Agate is a mineral that belongs to the quartz family. It is typically found in volcanic rocks and is characterized by its banded appearance, which is caused by the deposition of different minerals in layers. The mineral is identified by its hardness, which ranges from 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, and its translucent to opaque appearance. While agate is typically associated with shades of brown and gray, it can also be found in a variety of colors, including blue, green, pink, purple, and red.Summary of Jade
Jade is a mineral that has been highly valued for thousands of years across many cultures. It is a compact, dense stone that is tough and durable, making it ideal for carving and jewelry making. Jade comes in a variety of colors, including green, white, brown, and black, and can be translucent or opaque.Table Comparison of Agate vs Jade
| Agate (src) | Jade (src) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | transparent, translucent, opaque | translucent, opaque |
| Chemical Formula | SiO2 | NaAlSi2O6 |
| Chemical Composition | silicon dioxide | sodium aluminum silicate |
| Specific Gravity | 2.6, 2.64 | 2.9, 3.38 |
| Hardness | 6.5, 7 | 6, 7 |
| Streak | white | white |
| Crystallography | hexagonal, trigonal | monoclinic |
| Hydrous | No | No |
| Colors | common: red, white sometimes: blue, gray, pink, black, brown, green, banded, orange, purple, yellow, multicolor |
common: green sometimes: red less common: blue, gray, pink, black, brown, white, orange, purple, yellow, band, multicolor |