AllMineralsRock
Jadeite Vs. Malachite
Jadeite is a very popular mineral 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 Jadeite and Malachite
For a quick recap of the differences jadeite and malachite:- For chemical formulas, jadeite is NaAlSi2O6 while malachite is Cu2CO3(OH)2.
- While both jadeite and malachite can be vitreous, in terms of luster, jadeite can be greasy, pearly or waxy and malachite can be adamantine, dull or silky.
- Jadeite streaks white while malachite streaks green or light green.
- While both jadeite and malachite can be commonly green, jadeite is often blue, white or yellow.
- Jadeite's hardness is higher than malachite - jadeite ranges from 6.5 to 7 and malachite ranges from 3.5 to 4.5 on the Moh's scale.
- Jadeite's specific gravity is lower than malachite - jadeite ranges from 3.25 to 3.34 and malachite ranges from 3.6 to 4.05.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Jadeite and Malachite
The similarities of jadeite and malachite include:- Jadeite and malachite both can be opaque or translucent.
- In terms of crystallography, jadeite and malachite both are monoclinic.
- Jadeite's rarity is similar to malachite.
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.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 Jadeite vs Malachite
| Jadeite (src) | Malachite (src) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | translucent, opaque | translucent, opaque |
| Chemical Formula | NaAlSi2O6 | Cu2CO3(OH)2 |
| Chemical Composition | sodium aluminum silicate | copper carbonate |
| Specific Gravity | 3.25, 3.34, 3.36 | 3.6, 4.05 |
| Hardness | 6.5, 7 | 3.5, 4.5 |
| Streak | white | light green, green |
| Crystallography | monoclinic | monoclinic |
| Refractive Index | 1.64, 1.667 | 1.85 |
| Hydrous | No | No |
| Colors | common: green, yellow, blue, white sometimes: red, brown, purple less common: gray, pink, black, orange, violet, colorless, band, multicolor |
common: green sometimes: black less common: band, yellow |
| Category | pyroxene | carbonate |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.013 - 0.020 | δ = 0.254 |
| Fracture | splintery, uneven | splintery, subconchoidal, uneven |