What's the Difference: Jade, New Jade, Bowenite and Serpentine
There’s a lot of misrepresentation of these minerals online, and it’s easy to see why! Jade has been admired for thousands of years for its beauty and strength, but with so many jade-like minerals out there, it can get a little confusing. So, let’s break it down to get the facts straight and help you feel confident when it comes to identifying the real deal.
What is Jade?
Jade isn’t just one mineral—it's actually a term used to describe two distinct types: jadeite and nephrite. Both are typically green, though you’ll also find jade in colours like white, grey, black, and even purple!
Jadeite is the rarer, pricier option. This mineral, made up of sodium and aluminium silicate, is known for its high translucency and vibrant green colour. Primarily found in Myanmar (formerly Burma), it’s highly sought after by collectors and jewellery lovers alike.
Nephrite, meanwhile, is a bit more common and generally less expensive. This tough mineral, composed of calcium and magnesium silicate, is found across the globe—from China to Canada to New Zealand. Known for its durability, nephrite is a favourite for carvings and decorative pieces that stand the test of time.
What is Serpentine and Serpentinite?
Next up, we’ve got serpentine—a mineral group that’s also green but is technically not jade. Serpentine often mimics jade’s colour and is even used as a jade substitute. The term “serpentine” covers minerals like antigorite, chrysotile, and lizardite, which share a similar structure and a slightly scaly look (hence the name, which means “snake-like”!).
Then there’s serpentinite, a rock composed mostly of serpentine minerals. It forms through a process called serpentinisation, where rocks rich in iron and magnesium mix with water. Serpentinite is often found along mid-ocean ridges or tectonic zones and has a beautiful, earthy appearance.
In a nutshell, serpentine is the mineral, while serpentinite is the rock that’s mostly made up of serpentine minerals. While not a jade, these can easily pass for it, so it’s helpful to know the difference!
What is Bowenite and New Jade?
Here’s where the mix-ups really start—new jade is another name for bowenite, a green-coloured stone that’s technically a type of serpentine. Sometimes it’s called “Australian jade,” but bowenite is in its own category as a metamorphic rock composed primarily of magnesium silicate. Its green hue comes from trace elements like chromium.
Differences in Hardness on the Mohs and Chemical Composition
Jadeite
Chemical Composition: NaAlSi₂O₆ (Sodium Aluminum Silicate)
Hardness: 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale
Nephrite
Chemical Composition: Ca₂(Mg,Fe)₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂ (Calcium Magnesium Iron Silicate Hydroxide)
Hardness: 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale
Serpentine
Chemical Composition: (Mg,Fe)₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄ (Magnesium Iron Silicate Hydroxide)
Hardness: 3 to 5 on the Mohs scale
Serpentinite
Chemical Composition: Primarily composed of serpentine minerals but can include other minerals; metamorphic rock form of serpentine
Hardness: 2.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale (depends on mineral composition)
New Jade (Bowenite)
Chemical Composition: Mg₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄ (a type of serpentine, primarily magnesium silicate hydroxide)
Hardness: 5.5 on the Mohs scale
Summary
Here’s a quick recap:
Jadeite and nephrite are the official varieties of jade.
Serpentine may look like jade but isn’t actually jade.
Serpentinite is a rock mostly made up of serpentine minerals.
New jade (or bowenite) is technically a type of serpentine.
Hopefully, this guide makes identifying each mineral a little easier!
References, Thanks and Further Reading
Sandatlas: Serpentinite (photos and info)
Geology Science: Serpentine (photos and info)
Geology Science: Bowenite (photos and info)
