AllMineralsRock
Chalcedony Vs. Jadeite
Chalcedony 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 Chalcedony and Jadeite
For a quick recap of the differences chalcedony and jadeite:- While both chalcedony and jadeite can be opaque or translucent, chalcedony can be transparent.
- In terms of crystallography, chalcedony can be hexagonal or trigonal while jadeite is monoclinic.
- For chemical formulas, chalcedony is SiO2 while jadeite is NaAlSi2O6.
- While both chalcedony and jadeite can be vitreous or waxy, in terms of luster, chalcedony can be dull and jadeite can be greasy or pearly.
- Chalcedony can be commonly red while jadeite can be commonly blue, green, white or yellow.
- Chalcedony's rarity is less rare than jadeite.
- Chalcedony's specific gravity is lower than jadeite - chalcedony ranges from 2.55 to 2.91 and jadeite ranges from 3.25 to 3.34.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Chalcedony and Jadeite
The similarities of chalcedony and jadeite include:- Chalcedony and jadeite both streak white.
- Chalcedony's hardness overlaps with jadeite - chalcedony is 7 and jadeite ranges from 6.5 to 7 on the Moh's scale.
Summary of Chalcedony
Chalcedony is a mineral that is widely used in jewelry making, carvings, and decorative objects. It is a member of the quartz family and is composed of microscopic crystals of quartz that are arranged in a fibrous or microcrystalline structure. The mineral is typically translucent or opaque and can come in a range of colors, including white, gray, blue, brown, and red. Chalcedony is often found in association with other minerals such as agate, jasper, and onyx.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 Chalcedony vs Jadeite
| Chalcedony (src) | Jadeite (src) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | transparent, translucent, opaque | translucent, opaque |
| Chemical Formula | SiO2 | NaAlSi2O6 |
| Chemical Composition | silicon dioxide | sodium aluminum silicate |
| Specific Gravity | 2.55, 2.91 | 3.25, 3.34, 3.36 |
| Hardness | 7 | 6.5, 7 |
| Streak | white | white |
| Crystallography | hexagonal, trigonal | monoclinic |
| Refractive Index | 1.54, 1.553 | 1.64, 1.667 |
| Hydrous | No | No |
| Colors | common: red sometimes: blue, gray, pink, black, brown, green, white, orange, purple, yellow, band, multicolor |
common: green, yellow, blue, white sometimes: red, brown, purple less common: gray, pink, black, orange, violet, colorless, band, multicolor |
| Category | quartz | pyroxene |
| Fracture | conchoidal | splintery, uneven |