Jadeite is a pyroxene mineral with composition NaAlSi2O6. It is monoclinic. It has a Mohs hardness of about 6.5 to 7.0 depending on the composition. The mineral is dense, with a specific gravity of about 3.4. Jadeite forms solid solutions with other pyroxene endmembers such as augite and diopside (CaMg-rich endmembers), aegirine (NaFe endmember), and kosmochlor (NaCr endmember)

Jadeite is formed in metamorphic rocks under high pressure and relatively low temperature conditions Jadeite's color commonly ranges from white through pale apple green to deep jade green but can also be blue-green (like the famous and recently rediscovered "Olmec Blue" jade), pink, lavender, and a multitude of other rare colors. Chloromelanite is a very dark green to black variety.[6] Color is largely affected by the presence of trace elements such as chromium and iron. Its translucence can be anywhere from entirely solid through opaque to almost clear. Variations in color and translucence are often found even within a single specimen.

Jadeite can be semi-transparent to opaque and covers the spectrum from colorless through white, green, yellow, brown, red, orange, violet, to grey and black in color. In general, the color range and saturation values are greater than with nephrite, as is the maximum possible degree of translucency. Some of the colors are given variety, folk or trade names such as Imperial, apple green, moss-in-snow or chloromelanite. Imperial is the variety with the most highly saturated green color, apple green has some yellow, spinach green is darker and less vivid than Imperial or apple green, moss in snow has patterns in white and green, and chloromelanite is such a dark green as to appear black. Various combinations of chromium and iron are responsible for the different colors.

By far, the most valuable variety of jadeite is that termed "Imperial". The finest of these gems are nearly transparent and have the most highly saturated, even, green color, rivaling the finest emeralds. Such pieces are extremely scarce and astronomically expensive--the name derives from the time when only the Imperial household was permitted, and could afford to own it. Among the other green colors, the next most valuable shade is termed "apple green". Fine, translucent, lavender pieces can rival good greens in price, whereas highly mottled or opaque gems are worth considerably less. Cholormelanite has some value as a scarce collector material. As with nephrite, much of the value in jadeite works of art comes from the skill with which they were carved or the antiquity of the pieces. Enhanced material is very modestly priced