Jadeite - Jade - Nephrite

Nephrite Jade - is the jade used by the Emperors and Empresses before the discovery of "jadeite". Carved pieces and pieces of excellent color have good value. When Jadeite was discovered in Burma it became the new standard for "Jade," much more colorful and superior translucency. "Spinach Green," is a very desirable color of Nephrite Jade.

“It is said that the Dowager Empress had trained herself to distinguish by touch Jade from any other gemstone, and further, that she had developed a faculty for discriminating, again by touch only, between one grade of Jade and another.” Louis Kornitzer, Gem Trader (1939)