Semi-precious stone consisting of either jadeite, NaAlSi
2O
6 (a pyroxene), or nephrite, Ca
2(Mg,Fe)
5Si
8O
22(OH,F )
2 (an amphibole), ranging from colourless through shades of green to black according to the iron content. Jade ranks 5.56.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness.
The early Chinese civilization discovered jade, bringing it from eastern Turkestan, and carried the art of jade-carving to its peak. The Olmecs, Aztecs, Maya, and the Maori have also used jade for ornaments, ceremony, and utensils.
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