Definition

A type of jade that can be white to dark green in color, made mainly of minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium.

Example

The necklace was made of beautiful nephrite, showcasing its rich green color.

Conversation

Have you ever seen a piece of nephrite?

Yeah, I have a small pendant made from it!

That's cool! Is it the dark green kind?

Yes, it is! I love how smooth and shiny nephrite looks.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Nephrite comes from the French word 'néphrite', which is derived from the Latin 'lapis nephriticus', meaning 'stone of the kidneys'. The term 'nephriticus' itself comes from the Greek 'nephros' (νεφρός), meaning 'kidney'. Thus, nephrite refers to a type of jade that was historically believed to have healing properties for kidney ailments.

Memory Tip

Think of 'nephros', which means 'kidney' in Greek, to remember that nephrite is a stone historically associated with kidney health.

Visually Confused Words