Emerald Vs. Jade

Emerald is a very popular gemstone composed of beryllium aluminum silicate.^[1] Jade is also a very popular gemstone and its chemical composition is sodium aluminum silicate.^[2]

Quick Facts on Differences of Emerald and Jade

For a quick recap of the differences emerald and jade:

• While both emerald and jade can be opaque or translucent, emerald can be transparent.
• In terms of crystallography, emerald is hexagonal while jade is monoclinic.
• For chemical formulas, emerald is Be3Al2Si6O18 while jade is NaAlSi2O6.
• While both emerald and jade is vitreous, in terms of luster, jade can be waxy.
• Emerald streaks colorless while jade streaks white.
• Emerald's rarity is more rare than jade.
• Emerald's hardness is higher than jade - emerald ranges from 7.5 to 8 and jade ranges from 6 to 7 on the Moh's scale.
• Emerald's specific gravity is lower than jade - emerald ranges from 2.68 to 2.78 and jade ranges from 2.9 to 3.38.

Quick Facts on Similarities of Emerald and Jade

The similarities of emerald and jade include:

• Emerald and jade both are green.

Summary of Emerald

Emerald is a green variety of beryl, a mineral that also includes aquamarine and morganite. The color of emerald is caused by the presence of chromium and vanadium in the crystal lattice. The intensity of the color and the purity of the green hue are the most important factors in determining the value of an emerald.

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 Emerald vs Jade