nephrite

American  

[nef-rahyt] / ˈnɛf raɪt /

noun

1. Mineralogy. a compact or fibrous variety of actinolite, varying from whitish to dark green: a form of jade.

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nephrite British  

/ ˈnɛfraɪt /

noun

1. Also called: kidney stone.  a tough fibrous amphibole mineral: a variety of jade consisting of calcium magnesium silicate in monoclinic crystalline form. Formula: Ca 2 Mg 5 Si 8 O 22 (OH) 2

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nephrite Scientific  

/ nĕf′rīt′ /

1. A green to blue variety of jade. Nephrite is an amphibole and is the least precious form of jade. Chemical formula: Ca ₂ (Mg,Fe) ₅ Si ₈ O ₂₂ (OH) ₂ .

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Etymology

Origin of nephrite

From the German word Nephrit, dating back to 1785–95. See nephr-, -ite ¹

Compare meaning

How does nephrite compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• jadeite vs. nephrite

Example Sentences

The problem of brittleness applies both to the rare, hard jadeite and to the softer, more common nephrite jade, he noted.

From New York Times

For some years after small quantities of nephrite were annually brought for sale from the Piopiotahi to Wellington, where they found plenty of purchasers among the natives of that district at about 1s. per lb.

From Project Gutenberg

Made of a single piece of nephrite, Lot 140 was remarkable.

From Economist

There is a green stone—nephrite—native to New Zealand, which is prized by the women for personal wear, and which admits of a high degree of polish.

From Project Gutenberg

Axes, adzes, and chisels, of various shapes and sizes, as well as other utensils, were shaped by polishing and grinding from sandstone, limestone, jade, nephrite, diorite, and other stones.

From Project Gutenberg