Lavender jade is a rare variety of jadeite, a pyroxene mineral composed mainly of sodium and aluminum (NaAlSi₂O₆). Its soft purple to lavender hue is caused by trace amounts of manganese within the crystal structure. These pieces have been tumbled to a smooth, polished finish.
Features:
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Composition: Primarily jadeite (NaAlSi₂O₆), part of the pyroxene mineral group.
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Appearance: Translucent to opaque with soft lavender coloration and a smooth surface from tumbling.
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Formation: Forms under high-pressure, low-temperature conditions typically associated with subduction zones in metamorphic environments.
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Physical Properties: Tough and dense with a Mohs hardness of 6.5–7; jadeite’s interlocking crystal structure contributes to its exceptional durability.
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Educational Value: Demonstrates mineral coloration caused by trace elements and is an excellent example of metamorphic mineral formation under tectonic pressure.
Tumbled lavender jades are both visually calming and scientifically significant—an intersection of chemistry, geology, and mineral structure.
