Comparison · Minerals
Aventurine vs Jade
Aventurine and Jade are easy to confuse because both are minerals. Aventurine is harder (Mohs 6.5–7) than Jade (Mohs 5), so Aventurine will scratch Jade and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Aventurine and Jade
- Aventurine is harder (Mohs 6.5–7) than Jade (Mohs 5), so Aventurine will scratch Jade and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not.
- Streak color differs: Aventurine leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Jade leaves white to light-colored.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Aventurine is Translucent, Jade is opaque.
Aventurine vs Jade properties
| Property | Aventurine | Jade |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 6.5–7 | 5 |
| Luster | Vitreous, aventurescent (glittery) | vitreous |
| Streak | White | White to light-colored |
| Transparency | Translucent | opaque |
| Specific gravity | 2.64–2.69 | 2.7 |
| Crystal system | Trigonal | varies |
| Common colors | Green, Blue, Orange, Brown, Red | Various |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $2–$150+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Aventurine and Jade trade in a similar range, around $20.
About Aventurine
Aventurine is a variety of quartzite prized for aventurescence, a sparkly, glittery sheen caused by light reflecting off tiny platy mineral inclusions suspended within the rock. Green aventurine owes its color to included flakes of the chromium mica fuchsite, while orange to reddish varieties contain hematite or goethite instead. Though often sold alongside single minerals, it is technically a metamorphic rock made mostly of interlocking quartz grains.
About Jade
Jade is ornamental stone.
Aventurine vs Jade FAQ
Is Aventurine the same as Jade?
No. Both are minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Aventurine is harder (Mohs 6.5–7) than Jade (Mohs 5), so Aventurine will scratch Jade and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not.
How can you tell Aventurine from Jade?
Aventurine is harder (Mohs 6.5–7) than Jade (Mohs 5), so Aventurine will scratch Jade and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not. Streak color differs: Aventurine leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Jade leaves white to light-colored. Hold a thin edge to the light: Aventurine is Translucent, Jade is opaque.
Which is harder, Aventurine or Jade?
Aventurine is harder: Mohs 6.5–7 against Mohs 5 for Jade.
Which is more valuable, Aventurine or Jade?
Typical specimens of Aventurine and Jade trade in a similar range, around $20.
