nephrite

neph·rite  (nfrt)

n.

A white to dark green variety of jade, chiefly a metasilicate of iron, calcium, and magnesium.

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[Greek nephros, kidney (from the belief that it cured kidney diseases) + -ite.]

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nephrite [ˈnɛfraɪt]

n

(Earth Sciences / Minerals) a tough fibrous amphibole mineral: a variety of jade consisting of calcium magnesium silicate in monoclinic crystalline form. Formula: Ca₂Mg₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂ Also called kidney stone

[via German Nephrit from Greek nephrós kidney, so called because it was thought to be beneficial in kidney disorders]

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nephrite  (nfrt)

A green to blue variety of jade. Nephrite is an amphibole and is the least precious form of jade. Chemical formula: Ca₂(Mg,Fe)₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

nephrite - an amphibole mineral consisting of calcium magnesium silicate in monoclinic crystalline form; a source of jade that is less valuable than from jadeite; once believed to cure kidney disorders amphibole - a mineral or mineral variety belonging to the amphibole group amphibole group - a group of minerals with similar crystal structures containing a silicate chain and combinations of chiefly sodium and calcium and magnesium and iron and aluminum