nephrite

[ nef-rahyt ]

noun

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

nephrite

/ ˈnɛfraɪt /

noun

1. 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 Also calledkidney stone

nephrite

/ 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 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of nephrite¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of nephrite¹

C18: via German Nephrit from Greek nephrós kidney, so called because it was thought to be beneficial in kidney disorders

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