AllMineralsRock
Jadeite Vs. Serpentine
Jadeite is a very popular mineral composed of sodium aluminum silicate.[1] Serpentine is a popular mineral group and its chemical composition is a group of silicates.[2]
Quick Facts on Differences of Jadeite and Serpentine
For a quick recap of the differences jadeite and serpentine:- While both jadeite and serpentine can be opaque or translucent, serpentine can be transparent.
- For chemical formulas, jadeite is NaAlSi2O6 while serpentine can be (Mg, Al, Al, Fe, Fe)2O5(OH)4, Mn)2_3(Si, Ni or Zn.
- While both jadeite and serpentine can be greasy or waxy, in terms of luster, jadeite can be pearly or vitreous and serpentine can be silky.
- While both jadeite and serpentine can be commonly green, jadeite is often blue, white or yellow.
- Jadeite's rarity is more rare than serpentine.
- Jadeite's hardness is higher than serpentine - jadeite ranges from 6.5 to 7 and serpentine ranges from 2 to 5 on the Moh's scale.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Jadeite and Serpentine
The similarities of jadeite and serpentine include:- In terms of crystallography, jadeite and serpentine both are monoclinic.
- Jadeite and serpentine both streak white.
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 Serpentine
Serpentine is a group of minerals that are commonly found in metamorphic rocks. It is typically green in color and has a waxy or oily texture. Serpentine can be identified by its unique color and texture, as well as its tendency to break into small, fibrous pieces. It is also often associated with other minerals, such as olivine and pyroxene.Table Comparison of Jadeite vs Serpentine
| Jadeite (src) | Serpentine (src) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | translucent, opaque | transparent, translucent, opaque |
| Chemical Formula | NaAlSi2O6 | (Mg,Fe,Ni,Al,Zn,Mn)2_3(Si,Al,Fe)2O5(OH)4 |
| Chemical Composition | sodium aluminum silicate | a group of silicates |
| Hardness | 6.5, 7 | 2, 5 |
| Streak | white | white |
| Crystallography | monoclinic | monoclinic |
| 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: gray, black, brown, white, purple, yellow, multicolor |
| Fracture | splintery, uneven | conchoidal, splintery |