“Meihua Jade” from Shennongjia, Hubei Province

"Meihua Jade" is a kind of red natural ore produced from Shennongjia, Hubei Province, China. The gemmological properties, mineral components, chemical compositions, micromorphology and cause of colour of "Meihua Jade" samples were investigated by using conventional gemmological methods, polarizing microscope, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), laser Raman spectroscopy (LRM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The results showed that "Meihua Jade" is opaque, glassy to greasy luster, with density 2.69-2.71 g/cm³.The main mineral component is calcite, and its minor mineral components are dolomite and quartz. The "blood" part of the stone is caused by hematite and the black veins are composed of cryptocrystalline minerals, which may be biotite or other clay minerals. In aspect of its micromorphology, the crystal form of white calcite is respectively better than the other parts and the structure is compact. The rhombohedral cleavage is visible. The red part is seldom self-shaped. Hematite is fine granular or thin film, which looks red when it fills in the cleavage and crack of calcite. Black minerals showed irregular bands, and veins covered with glue on other mineral surfaces.