Nephrite of China is mainly originated in Xinjiang province. Qinghai province and Taiwan produce some. Kunlun mountain, Tianshan mountain and Altun mountain are the key origins of Xinjiang province.

Kunlun mountain is the key origin of nephrite. It spreads from Qiemo to Taxkorgan. In the 1200km long Kunlun mountain and relative river beds, over 20 mine lots were discovered. Luodong- Taxkorgan mine lot mainly produces sapphire and some white jade. Hetian-Yutian mine lot mainly produces white jade, sapphire and grey-white jade. Qiemo mine lot mainly produces white jade, sapphire, grey-white jade and jasper.

The main nephrite which is originated from Tianshan mountain is jasper. Because all are produced in Manas county, it is also called as “Manas jasper”.

The nephrite which is originated from Altun mountain is called as “Jinshan jade”. Besides some sapphire, most of them are jasper whose quality is similar to Manas jasper.
According to the shape of Hetian jade, it is divided as: 1st , Ziyu: the jade which is formed by the geological processes as transport, weathering, washing, and etc. on primary ore of Hetian jade is called as Ziyu. The key features of Ziyu are small, smooth and shaped as cobble with cortex. Yellow, red and black color are available for its cortex. 2nd , Shanliushui: the jade which is moved closer to the primary ore by the transport of glacier and flood was called Shanliushui. It is big and with corner angles. It is also smooth and with or without a thin layer of cortex. 3rd , primary nephrite: the jade which is processed directly from the primary ore is called primary nephrite. It is with different size and corner angles, but it is without cortex and is fresh.

The nephrite can be divided as following nine categories based on color: suet-jade, white jade, sapphire, grey-white jade, topaz, black jade, jasper, sugar jade, and flower jade.