AllMineralsRock
Agate Vs. Jadeite
Agate is a very popular gemstone composed of silicon dioxide.[1] Jadeite is also a very popular mineral and its chemical composition is sodium aluminum silicate.[2]
Quick Facts on Differences of Agate and Jadeite
For a quick recap of the differences agate and jadeite:- While both agate and jadeite can be opaque or translucent, agate can be transparent.
- In terms of crystallography, agate can be hexagonal or trigonal while jadeite is monoclinic.
- For chemical formulas, agate is SiO2 while jadeite is NaAlSi2O6.
- While both agate and jadeite can be greasy, vitreous or waxy, in terms of luster, jadeite can be pearly.
- While both agate and jadeite can be commonly white, agate is often red and jadeite is often blue, green or yellow.
- Agate's rarity is less rare than jadeite.
- Agate's specific gravity is lower than jadeite - agate ranges from 2.6 to 2.64 and jadeite ranges from 3.25 to 3.34.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Agate and Jadeite
The similarities of agate and jadeite include:- Agate and jadeite both streak white.
- Agate's hardness is similar to jadeite - they both range from 6.5 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 Jadeite
Jadeite is a mineral that belongs to the pyroxene group and is one of two types of jade, the other being nephrite. Jadeite is a sodium aluminum silicate with a hardness of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, making it a relatively hard mineral. It is usually found in shades of green, but it can also appear in white, pink, yellow, and blue colors. Jadeite is primarily found in Myanmar, but it can also be found in other countries such as Guatemala, Japan, and Russia.Table Comparison of Agate vs Jadeite
| Agate (src) | Jadeite (src) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | transparent, translucent, opaque | translucent, opaque |
| Chemical Formula | SiO2 | NaAlSi2O6 |
| Chemical Composition | silicon dioxide | sodium aluminum silicate |
| Specific Gravity | 2.6, 2.64 | 3.25, 3.34, 3.36 |
| Hardness | 6.5, 7 | 6.5, 7 |
| Streak | white | white |
| Crystallography | hexagonal, trigonal | monoclinic |
| Refractive Index | 1.53, 1.543 | 1.64, 1.667 |
| Hydrous | No | No |
| Colors | common: red, white sometimes: blue, gray, pink, black, brown, green, banded, orange, purple, yellow, multicolor |
common: green, yellow, blue, white sometimes: red, brown, purple less common: gray, pink, black, orange, violet, colorless, band, multicolor |
| Category | chalcedony | pyroxene |
| Fracture | conchoidal, uneven | splintery, uneven |