Jadeite occurs as grains in metamorphosed sodic sediments and volcanic rocks, and is associated with glaucophane and aragonite. It is intermediate in composition to albite and nepheline, although they have nothing in common in terms of apperance, Burma (Myanmar) is the major source of jadeite, and is the only source of red jadeite, although good stones are also still unearthed in Guatemala.
Nephrite
China is not the only venerable source of nephrite. In Russia, it has been mined and crafted since 3000 BC. Tsar Alexander III's (1845-94) sarcophagus was carved from nephrite. For about 3000 years, the stone has been highly prized by the Native North Americans of British Columbia, Canada, where it was known as squa or lisht. In New Zealand, where some of the best-quality nephrite is mined, it is sometimes known as 'greenstone'. For centuries, the Maori have made beautiful nephrite carvings, and they relied on it for tools until the Europeans introduced metals in the 18 century.
(please click on the table to enlarge)
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