Jade Appreciation--The Lovely Mutton White Jade

Material composition of jade antique is usually considered to be an important factor in the area of jade identification and appraisal. Nephrite consists of tremolite (Ca2Mg5[Si4O11]2(OH)2) and actinolite((Ca2(Mg,Fe)5[Si4O11]2(OH)2). The jade consists mainly tremolite has more white color element. The more element of actinolite the jade contains the lesser the white color element the jade has. The mutton white color nephrite contains almost all the tremolite and has creamy luster feeling. The texture of the structures of the mutton white nephrite is so small that it is not so easy for human eyes to observe. The price of fine quality mutton white is higher and higher due increasing demand and decreasing supply. The main source for the mutton white jade is Hotan( Hetian) jade which has its name since 1959.