Definition

1. Noun:
   • A hard, typically green mineral: Jadeite is a specific type of mineral, a sodium aluminum silicate, known for its hardness and its occurrence in monoclinic crystals. It is one of the two minerals (the other being nephrite) that are the source of the ornamental stone known as jade.

Usage

• Jadeite is a geological and gemological term. It is used to describe the mineral itself, distinguishing it from other similar-looking stones.
• It is often discussed in contexts of geology, mineralogy, gemology, archaeology, and jewelry.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The necklace was made from high-quality jadeite.
  • Geologists identified the green stone as jadeite, not nephrite.
  • The principal source of fine jadeite is Myanmar (Burma).

Advanced Usage

• "Imperial jadeite": This refers to the finest, most translucent, and vividly green variety of jadeite, historically prized by Chinese emperors.
  • The museum's centerpiece is a carving made from imperial jadeite.

Variants and Related Words

• Jade (n): The general name for the ornamental stone, which can be made from either jadeite or nephrite.
• Nephrite (n): The other mineral species that is also called jade. It is a calcium magnesium iron silicate and is generally less valued in the gem trade than jadeite.

Synonyms

• Mineral jade: A term sometimes used to specify the mineralogical source, as opposed to the cultural artifact.

Different Meanings

• The word jade alone has other meanings (e.g., a tired horse, a disreputable woman), but jadeite refers specifically to the mineral.

Noun

1. a hard green mineral consisting of sodium aluminum silicate in monoclinic crystalline form; a source of jade; found principally in Burma