Black Jade (Actinolite)

 

Western Australian "black jade" occurs at Ninghan in the Murchison region approximately 200 miles north of the capital, Perth. 

The rough "jade" has a brown, rust stained skin but once cut and polished, the best material is like a black mirror. 

Tests have shown that the stone is actinolite, not nephrite.

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   black-jade-rough2.jpg (78470 bytes)  Black-jade-location.jpg (140019 bytes)

 

 

 

polished-black-jade.jpg (40257 bytes)   polished-black-jade-2.jpg (53233 bytes)

 

black-jade-rimmed-cabs.jpg (127349 bytes)   This is a selection of cabochons that have a rim of Australian black jade, many inlayed with mookaite. They are the work of skilled lapidarist, Ron Gibbs of  www.theimage.com