Copper Vs. Jadeite

Copper is a very popular metal composed of copper.^[1] Jadeite is also a very popular mineral and its chemical composition is sodium aluminum silicate.^[2]

Quick Facts on Differences of Copper and Jadeite

For a quick recap of the differences copper and jadeite:

• While both copper and jadeite is opaque, jadeite can be translucent.
• For chemical formulas, copper is Cu while jadeite is NaAlSi2O6.
• In terms of luster, copper is metallic while jadeite can be greasy, pearly, vitreous or waxy.
• Copper streaks copper-red or shiny while jadeite streaks white.
• Copper can be commonly brown, orange or red while jadeite is often blue, green, white or yellow.
• Copper's specific gravity is higher than jadeite - copper is 8.93 and jadeite ranges from 3.25 to 3.34.

Quick Facts on Similarities of Copper and Jadeite

The similarities of copper and jadeite include:

• Copper's rarity is similar to jadeite.

Summary of Copper

Copper is a mineral that has been used by humans for thousands of years. It is a reddish-brown metal that is easily recognizable due to its distinctive color. Copper is relatively soft and malleable, which makes it easy to work with. It is also an excellent conductor of electricity and heat, which makes it useful in a variety of applications.

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.

Table Comparison of Copper vs Jadeite