Jade Vs. Onyx

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

Quick Facts on Differences of Jade and Onyx

For a quick recap of the differences jade and onyx:

• In terms of crystallography, jade is monoclinic while onyx can be hexagonal or trigonal.
• For chemical formulas, jade is NaAlSi2O6 while onyx is SiO2.
• Jade can be commonly green while onyx can be commonly black.
• Jade's rarity is more rare than onyx.
• Jade's specific gravity is higher than onyx - jade ranges from 2.9 to 3.38 and onyx is 2.651.

Quick Facts on Similarities of Jade and Onyx

The similarities of jade and onyx include:

• Jade and onyx both can be opaque or translucent.
• In terms of luster, jade and onyx both can be vitreous or waxy.
• Jade and onyx both streak white.
• Jade's hardness overlaps with onyx - jade ranges from 6 to 7 and onyx is 7 on the Moh's scale.

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 Onyx

Onyx is a mineral that belongs to the chalcedony family, which is a type of quartz that is formed by the deposition of silica in the cavities of rocks. It is a cryptocrystalline mineral, which means that its crystals are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Onyx is typically black, but it can also be found in other colors such as white, gray, brown, and green. It has a waxy luster and a smooth, polished surface.

Table Comparison of Jade vs Onyx