Nephrite
/ˈnɛf.raɪt/noun
A tough, usually green mineral form of jade, used in carvings and ornaments.
Did you know?Nephrite comes from Greek nephros, meaning “kidney,” because the stone was believed to heal kidney ailments, giving it a body-part name long before it became a gem name.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
νεφρός (nephrós)
“kidney”
Late Latin
Latin
lapis nephriticus
“kidney stone; a stone believed to treat kidney disorders”
16th Century
Latin/English
nephriticus / nephrite
“a kidney-related stone or mineral”
17th–18th Century
English
nephrite
“a hard green stone used as jade”
Modern English
English
nephrite
“a compact, tough variety of jade”
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