All Things Jade
Jade is an ornamental stone. The term jade is applied to two different metamorphic rocks that are made up of different silicate minerals:

Nephrite is the most common variety of jade, and the one people thing of the most when they think of the green jade while also being found in a blue, orange, yellow and white variety. The biggest nephrite deposits are in British Columbia, Canada and in the Yukon. Locally to Monterey we have one of the only ocean deposits of Nephrite Jade. Nephrite consists of a microcrystalline interlocking fibrous matrix of the calcium, magnesium-iron rich amphibole mineral series tremolite (calcium-magnesium)-ferro actinolite (calcium-magnesium-iron). The middle member of this series with an intermediate composition is called actinolite (the silky fibrous mineral form is one form of asbestos). 
 
Jadeite is the other variety of jade that is used more in high end jewelry and what you see high end bangles made out of. This variety of Jade also can come in a wide range of colors from rich purples to fiery reds and bright emerald greens. Jadeite is more of a sodium- and aluminum-rich pyroxene. The gem form of the mineral is a microcrystalline interlocking crystal matrix. This is found in fewer than 12 places in the entire world.

The chart  from Mason-Kay Fine Jade Jewelry shows the different colors that jade can naturally be.
Share by: