VARIETIES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF NEPHRITE （AMPHIBOLE JADE） FROM TAIWAN PROVINCE

Nephrite from Fengtian region, Hualian County, the east of Taiwan Province, can be divided into three varieties: common nephrite，nephrite cat's-eye and glazed nephrite. nephrite cat's-eye is most highly valued. It is composed of tremolite dominantly and actinolite in a small amount. It has interlocking or felt-like texture. Nephrite from T aiwan Province is the product of hydrothermal metasomatism and metamorphism.