Is Black Jade a Jadeite (Burma Jade) ?

Is Black Jade a Jadeite (Burma Jade) ?

Black jade is a Jadeite but can also be a Nephrite. They are simply different in material but look alike. Black Jadeite is more rare. A more accurate to tell is to put your piece into a laboratory or consult an experienced Jade Trader.

Before Black jadeite is highly recognized, some doubted that Black jade is not Jadeite and would consider it as Nephrite because they used to believe Jadeite cannot be appeared to be “black” in color. But after some professional and detailed investigation on some pieces of existing black jade, people found some is Jadeite and some is Nephrite. Black jadeite is also found in Burma mine and so it is correct to tell black jade is a Burma jade.

Jadeite found to be in Black is in fact not a real Black. They are just too dark in green color and composed of jadeite in the form of short prismatic grains. They appear black in reflected light but deep green in transmitted light.