The facts
What omphacite Jade actually is
The species behind omphacite Jade is omphacite (pyroxene group), (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe²⁺,Al)Si₂O₆; it forms in the monoclinic (aggregate) system.
Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ giving dark green to near-black is responsible for the colour — and the chromophore, not the name, is what decides whether a colour is stable.
On the instruments it reads a refractive index of 1.662–1.699 (spot ~1.67) and a specific gravity of about 3.29–3.39, with not seen in aggregate cleavage.
Where omphacite Jade comes from
Commercial material comes from Hpakant, Kachin State, Myanmar and Motagua Valley, Guatemala.
Different localities give different colour and different clarity, and the trade prices them differently. We state which one.
How omphacite Jade is treated
Usually untreated; some is polymer-impregnated like B-jade. Formally accepted as a jade species alongside jadeite and kosmochlor under the Chinese fei cui standard, which matters for certification wording.
We state the treatment on every stone, including when the honest answer is that it cannot be determined. A treatment disclosed is a fact; a treatment discovered later is a refund.
What omphacite Jade is confused with
Watch for Jadeite, Nephrite, Black nephrite, Dyed serpentine and Black glass — these are what turn up sold under this name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.662–1.699 (spot ~1.67) and specific gravity 3.29–3.39 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What omphacite Jade is used for
The trades that buy omphacite Jade are jewellery, carving and sculpture, decorative objects and mineral collecting. They do not want the same thing, and they do not pay in the same unit.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat, by the block or by the piece.
Durability and care
Omphacite Jade is 6–6.5 on the Mohs scale, with not seen in aggregate cleavage.
With no cleavage plane to worry about, the practical limit is abrasion rather than breakage, and it takes daily wear well.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What omphacite Jade costs
Expect roughly $1–200/ct, depending on quality.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is omphacite Jade treated, and how?
Usually untreated; some is polymer-impregnated like B-jade. Formally accepted as a jade species alongside jadeite and kosmochlor under the Chinese fei cui standard, which matters for certification wording.
Where does omphacite Jade come from?
Hpakant, Kachin State, Myanmar and Motagua Valley, Guatemala. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is omphacite Jade hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 6–6.5 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage plane, it handles daily wear well. The practical limit is gradual abrasion rather than chipping.
How much does omphacite Jade cost?
Indicatively $1–200/ct. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is omphacite Jade confused with?
Most often Jadeite, Nephrite, Black nephrite, Dyed serpentine and Black glass. A refractive index of 1.662–1.699 (spot ~1.67) and a specific gravity near 3.29–3.39 separate it quickly.
What is omphacite Jade used for besides jewellery?
carving and sculpture, decorative objects and mineral collecting. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for omphacite jade?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about omphacite jade