Emerald vs. Jade: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 28, 2023
Emerald is a precious green gemstone known for its rich color and rarity, while Jade refers to two types of minerals, nephrite and jadeite, prized for their beauty and cultural significance.
Key Differences
Emerald is a variety of the mineral beryl, characterized by its deep green color, which is attributed to the presence of chromium and sometimes vanadium. It is highly valued in jewelry for its rich hue and rarity. Jade, on the other hand, encompasses two distinct minerals: nephrite and jadeite. Both types of jade have a wide color range, including green, but are known for their smooth texture and are deeply embedded in various cultural histories, especially in Asian art and jewelry.
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Dec 28, 2023
The value of an Emerald is primarily determined by its color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. The most prized emeralds display a vivid green color and significant transparency. In contrast, Jade’s value is influenced not just by its color but also by its texture, transparency, and cultural significance. Jadeite, in particular, is renowned for its intense colors and is more valuable than nephrite.
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Dec 28, 2023
Historically, Emeralds have been associated with royalty and luxury, often featuring in royal crowns and high-end jewelry. They have been mined in locations such as Colombia and Zambia. Jade has held a special place in East Asian, South Asian, and Mesoamerican cultures, revered not just as an ornament but also for its supposed healing properties and symbolizing virtues like wisdom and justice.
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Dec 28, 2023
Emeralds are often treated with oils or resins to enhance their clarity, as they naturally have inclusions, sometimes referred to as “jardin,” which affects their transparency. On the other hand, Jade is often treated with polymers and dyes to enhance its color and translucency, especially lower quality jadeite to make it resemble the highly prized “Imperial Jade.”
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Dec 28, 2023
In terms of geological formation, Emeralds form under high pressure and temperature conditions in metamorphic rocks. They are rarer than diamonds and require specific geological conditions for their formation. Jade, specifically nephrite, is more commonly found and forms from calcium and magnesium-rich amphibole mineral. Jadeite, the rarer and more valuable type of jade, is a pyroxene mineral.
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Dec 28, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Value Determinants
Color, clarity, cut, carat
Color, texture, transparency, cultural significance
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Geological Formation
High pressure in metamorphic rocks
Calcium and magnesium-rich (nephrite) or pyroxene mineral (jadeite)
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Emerald and Jade Definitions
Emerald
Valued for its rich green color and rarity.
Her engagement ring was set with a rare Colombian emerald.
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Jade
A smooth, often green gemstone, used in art and jewelry.
The carved jade figurine was a masterpiece of Asian art.
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Emerald
A symbol of wealth and elegance in jewelry.
He gifted her an antique brooch adorned with emeralds.
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Jade
Valued in various cultures for its beauty and significance.
Jade ornaments are integral to traditional Chinese weddings.
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Emerald
Often treated to enhance clarity.
The emerald’s clarity was enhanced through oil treatment.
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Jade
Often treated to enhance its appearance.
The jade bracelet was enhanced to bring out its deep green color.
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Emerald
Found in exclusive locations like Colombia.
Colombian emeralds are highly sought after for their vivid color.
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Jade
Either of two distinct minerals, nephrite and jadeite, that are generally pale green or white and are used mainly as gemstones or in carving.
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Emerald
A green gemstone of the beryl mineral family.
The emerald necklace sparkled brilliantly under the light.
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Emerald
A brilliant green to grass-green transparent variety of beryl, used as a gemstone.
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Oct 19, 2023
Emerald
Any of various green gemstones, especially a green transparent form of beryl, highly valued as a precious stone.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jade
A semiprecious stone, either nephrite or jadeite, generally green or white in color, often used for carving figurines.
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Emerald
Any hummingbird in the genera Chlorostilbon and Elvira; and some in the genus Amazilia
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Jade
A bright shade of slightly bluish or greyish green, typical of polished jade stones.
Jade green
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Emerald
(entomology) Any of various species of dragonfly of the family Corduliidae.
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Emerald
A size of type between nonpareil and minion, standardized as 6½-point.
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Emerald
A precious stone of a rich green color, a variety of beryl. See Beryl.
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Oct 19, 2023
Emerald
A kind of type, in size between minion and nonpare l. It is used by English printers.
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Jade
(obsolete) To make (someone or something) contemptible and ridiculous.
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Jade
A stone, commonly of a pale to dark green color but sometimes whitish. It is very hard and compact, capable of fine polish, and is used for ornamental purposes and for implements, esp. in Eastern countries and among many early peoples.
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Emerald
A transparent piece of emerald that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
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Jade
A color resembling that of jade{1}; it varies from yellowish-green to bluish-green.
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Jade
A mean or tired horse; a worthless nag.
Tired as a jade in overloaden cart.
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Jade
A disreputable or vicious woman; a wench; a quean; also, sometimes, a worthless man.
She shines the first of battered jades.
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Jade
A young woman; - generally so called in irony or slight contempt.
A souple jade she was, and strang.
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Jade
To make ridiculous and contemptible.
I do now fool myself, to let imagination jade me.
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Jade
To exhaust by overdriving or long-continued labor of any kind; to tire, make dull, or wear out by severe or tedious tasks; to harass.
The mind, once jaded by an attempt above its power, . . . checks at any vigorous undertaking ever after.
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Jade
To become weary; to lose spirit.
They . . . fail, and jade, and tire in the prosecution.
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Jade
A semiprecious gemstone that takes a high polish; is usually green but sometimes whitish; consists of jadeite or nephrite
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Jade
Exhaust or tire through overuse or great strain or stress;
We wore ourselves out on this hike
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Jade
Similar to the color of jade; especially varying from bluish green to yellowish green
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Jade
Commonly found and used historically for tools and ornaments.
Ancient tools made of nephrite jade were discovered in the excavation.
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Jade
Rarer and more valuable, known for its intense color.
The jadeite necklace showcased a stunning Imperial Jade green.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What primarily defines an emerald's value?
Its color, clarity, cut, and carat weight.
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Dec 28, 2023
Can emeralds have inclusions?
Yes, they often have natural inclusions or "jardin."
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Is jade only green?
No, it comes in various colors including white, yellow, and more.
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What's more valuable, nephrite or jadeite?
Jadeite is generally more valuable.
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Is jade used in traditional medicine?
Yes, especially in East Asian cultures.
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Is jade culturally significant?
Yes, particularly in Asian and Mesoamerican cultures.
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Are all jade carvings green?
No, they can be in various colors depending on the jade type.
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Dec 28, 2023
Are emeralds rarer than diamonds?
Yes, good quality emeralds are rarer than diamonds.
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Where are emeralds commonly found?
Colombia, Zambia, and Brazil are key sources.
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Dec 28, 2023
Do emeralds symbolize anything?
They often symbolize royalty, rebirth, and love.
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What makes Imperial Jade special?
Its vivid green color and high transparency.
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How is jade typically used?
In jewelry, ornaments, and traditional artifacts.
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What is the best way to clean emeralds?
With mild soap and water, avoiding harsh chemicals.
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Dec 28, 2023
Do emeralds and jade have similar hardness?
No, jade is generally harder and more resistant to scratching.
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What is the hardest, nephrite or jadeite?
Jadeite is slightly harder than nephrite.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Hifza Nasir
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