Black jade is not a separate type of jade. It is simply a variety of jade that has a dark, black color.
Jade itself is a broad term that encompasses two distinct minerals: jadeite and nephrite. Both jadeite and nephrite can have a wide range of colors, including black.
Here's a breakdown of the differences:
Jadeite
- Chemical composition: Sodium aluminum silicate
- Hardness: 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale
- Color: Can be green, white, red, yellow, purple, orange, or black
- Transparency: Can be translucent to opaque
- Origin: Myanmar, Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States
Nephrite
- Chemical composition: Calcium magnesium silicate
- Hardness: 6-6.5 on the Mohs scale
- Color: Can be green, white, brown, black, yellow, or gray
- Transparency: Usually opaque
- Origin: China, Russia, New Zealand, and Canada
Black jade, therefore, can be either jadeite or nephrite. It's important to note that the color of black jade can vary depending on the specific type of jade and its impurities.
For example, black jadeite often has a deep, rich black color, while black nephrite can have a more greenish-black or grayish-black color.
To summarize, the main difference between black jade and jade is that black jade refers specifically to the black variety of either jadeite or nephrite. It is not a separate type of jade.
