AllMineralsRock
Jade Vs. Jasper
Jade is a very popular gemstone composed of sodium aluminum silicate.[1] Jasper is also a very popular gemstone and its chemical composition is silicon dioxide.[2]
Quick Facts on Differences of Jade and Jasper
For a quick recap of the differences jade and jasper:- While both jade and jasper can be opaque, jade can be translucent.
- In terms of crystallography, jade is monoclinic while jasper is hexagonal.
- For chemical formulas, jade is NaAlSi2O6 while jasper is SiO2.
- While both jade and jasper can be vitreous or waxy, in terms of luster, jasper can be dull.
- Jade can be commonly green while jasper can be commonly red.
- Jade's rarity is more rare than jasper.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Jade and Jasper
The similarities of jade and jasper include:- Jade and jasper both streak white.
- Jade's hardness overlaps with jasper - jade ranges from 6 to 7 and jasper ranges from 6.5 to 7 on the Moh's scale.
- Jade's specific gravity overlaps with jasper - jade ranges from 2.9 to 3.38 and jasper ranges from 2.55 to 2.91.
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.Summary of Jasper
Jasper is a type of mineral that is commonly found in sedimentary rocks, and is usually formed through the deposition of silica-rich sediments. It is a beautiful and unique mineral that comes in a variety of colors, including red, brown, yellow, green, and blue. Jasper is often used in jewelry making, as well as for decorative purposes in home decor and landscaping.Table Comparison of Jade vs Jasper
| Jade (src) | Jasper (src) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | translucent, opaque | opaque |
| Chemical Formula | NaAlSi2O6 | SiO2 |
| Chemical Composition | sodium aluminum silicate | silicon dioxide |
| Specific Gravity | 2.9, 3.38 | 2.55, 2.91 |
| Hardness | 6, 7 | 6.5, 7 |
| Streak | white | white |
| Crystallography | monoclinic | hexagonal |
| Hydrous | No | No |
| Colors | common: green sometimes: red less common: blue, gray, pink, black, brown, white, orange, purple, yellow, band, multicolor |
common: red sometimes: yellow less common: blue, gray, black, brown, green, white, orange, band, multicolor |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.020 - 0.027 | δ = 0.009 |