A 6.35 carat nephrite jade — 6.98 ratti — at Rs. 2,850, or about Rs. 449 per carat. It is the lowest total price in this category, so it is the sensible page on which to set out what nephrite actually costs.

What nephrite jade costs here

Across all thirteen stones in this collection the rate runs between Rs. 442 and Rs. 457 per carat — a spread of fifteen rupees, which is unusually flat. Total price therefore follows weight almost exactly, from Rs. 2,850 for this stone up to Rs. 9,680 for the 21.5 carat piece.

Why our jade listings cost more

We keep two separate categories, and the difference is real rather than marketing. Nephrite is a calcium-magnesium-iron silicate built from interlocking fibres. Jadeite is a sodium-aluminium silicate with a granular structure. They are unrelated minerals that have shared one trade name for centuries.

Jadeite is slightly harder and far more sought after in fine translucent grades, and our jadeite-grade stones run near Rs. 600 per carat against roughly Rs. 450 here. That gap reflects demand, not durability — nephrite is the tougher material of the two and the one every neolithic jade tool and almost all archaic Chinese jade was carved from. If you want green jade that survives daily wear, nephrite at two-thirds the rate is the better buy. If you want the stone the auction market chases, that is jadeite.

How to compare prices elsewhere

Ask three questions. Is it nephrite or jadeite — the word "jade" alone tells you nothing. Is it treated, and has that been tested rather than assumed. And what is the per-carat rate, not the ticket price, since a low total usually just means a small stone.

This stone

Brightness 51 out of 255, among the darker half of the collection, with 87% green coverage. Nephrite is 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. Warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth; no ultrasonic cleaner, no steam.

Treatment has not been tested on this stone, which we record plainly rather than calling it untreated. No documented origin is held for it. Dimensions and clarity are not recorded yet; ask and we will measure.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural nephrite with a weight of 6.35 Carat. Its price is Rs. 2,850 — roughly Rs. 449 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-NE-0001 when you message us about it. The photographs show this exact stone, so what arrives at your door is the piece you chose on screen.

From six carats up a stone becomes the centre of attention. It wants a broader shank or a secure claw setting and suits an occasion ring, a signet or a centre pendant. Clean natural material of this size turns up far less often, and the per-carat rate reflects that.

On the Mohs scale nephrite rates 6 to 6.5. That is middle-of-the-road hardness: comfortable in pendants and earrings, and in rings worn with some care. Store it apart from harder stones so it does not pick up scratches, and wipe it with a damp cloth rather than scrubbing.

Whoever you buy nephrite from, make sure of three things: the stone is natural rather than lab-grown, glass or glass-filled; any treatment is stated in writing; and the weight quoted is the weight of the finished stone. We check every nephrite for those three points before it is listed, a certificate is available on request, and because you pay on delivery you can look at the stone — or have it tested — before any money changes hands.

We sell natural stones only and inspect each one before it is listed. Treatment for this stone: Treatment not tested. Certificate available on request. As general background (not a statement about this stone): Nephrite is usually untreated, though some is dyed or waxed. Ask us on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we know about this exact stone; independent lab testing is available on request.

A certificate of authenticity is available on request for this stone, and independent laboratory testing can be arranged. Because you pay on delivery, you can also take the stone to a lab of your choice within the 7-day return window. Read more on our authenticity page.