Both nephrite and jadeite may be white or colorless. The range of shades of color is mainly due to the presence of other elements such as iron, chromium and manganese. Jadeite, especially green jadeite, was considered to be more valuable than nephrite. The deeper the shade of green, the more precious the jade was considered to be. As for nephrite, whiter shades were the most desirable.
Some colors are unique to one mineral.
Jadeite is harder than nephrite. Both nephrite and jadeite are too hard to be inscribed using metal tools. They must be ground with a medium containing a harder substance, such as diamond or quartz powder mixed with water. When worked and polished, the fine luster of polished nephrite appears oily and is described as the shining of oil . Polished jadeite is described as the shining of glass .