AllMineralsRock
Jade Vs. Malachite
Jade is a very popular gemstone composed of sodium aluminum silicate.[1] Malachite is also a very popular gemstone and its chemical composition is copper carbonate.[2]
Quick Facts on Differences of Jade and Malachite
For a quick recap of the differences jade and malachite:- For chemical formulas, jade is NaAlSi2O6 while malachite is Cu2CO3(OH)2.
- While both jade and malachite can be vitreous, in terms of luster, jade can be waxy and malachite can be adamantine, dull or silky.
- Jade streaks white while malachite streaks green or light green.
- Jade's hardness is higher than malachite - jade ranges from 6 to 7 and malachite ranges from 3.5 to 4.5 on the Moh's scale.
- Jade's specific gravity is lower than malachite - jade ranges from 2.9 to 3.38 and malachite ranges from 3.6 to 4.05.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Jade and Malachite
The similarities of jade and malachite include:- Jade and malachite both can be opaque or translucent.
- In terms of crystallography, jade and malachite both are monoclinic.
- Jade and malachite both are green.
- Jade's rarity is similar to malachite.
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 Malachite
Malachite is a mineral that is known for its beautiful green color. It is a secondary mineral that forms as a result of the weathering and oxidation of copper minerals. Malachite is typically found in copper deposits and is often associated with azurite, another copper mineral. It is commonly found in Africa, Russia, and Australia.Table Comparison of Jade vs Malachite
| Jade (src) | Malachite (src) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | translucent, opaque | translucent, opaque |
| Chemical Formula | NaAlSi2O6 | Cu2CO3(OH)2 |
| Chemical Composition | sodium aluminum silicate | copper carbonate |
| Specific Gravity | 2.9, 3.38 | 3.6, 4.05 |
| Hardness | 6, 7 | 3.5, 4.5 |
| Streak | white | light green, green |
| Crystallography | monoclinic | monoclinic |
| Hydrous | No | No |
| Colors | common: green sometimes: red less common: blue, gray, pink, black, brown, white, orange, purple, yellow, band, multicolor |
common: green sometimes: black less common: band, yellow |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.020 - 0.027 | δ = 0.254 |