Jadeite jade from Japan: its history, gemmology and comparison with jadeite from other sources

Abstract

Japanese jadeite does not show a high transparency as compared to the highest quality of Burmese imperial jadeite jade, its rarity and its natural feature became a highly valued gemstone in gem market.
In this study, Jadeite from Itoigawa-Omi region in the Niigata prefecture and from Wakasa in the Tottori prefecture are divided into several types in terms of variations in color corresponding to chromophores and mineral phases, such as white jadeite, green jadeite, lavender jadeite, blue jadeite and black jadeite.