Diopside with Nephrite from Taiwan, hand-graded by The Stone Atlas, lot XA1
Origin Hualien, Taiwan
Mohs hardness 66.5 / 10
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Fingernail (2.5) Steel knife (5.5) Diamond (10)

Stone properties

What this stone is, geologically

Crystal system
Monoclinic (nephrite — actinolite/tremolite)
Mohs hardness
6 – 6.5
Specific gravity
2.95–3.00
Refractive index
1.606–1.632
Transparency
Translucent to opaque
Durability
Tough — daily wear excellent

Fibrous calcium-magnesium silicate aggregate. Its interlocking microstructure makes nephrite the toughest jade.

The lot

Full description

A hand-graded cabochon of diopside with nephrite from Hualien, Taiwan, calibrated to the 30 mm working range. Sold as a single piece, weighed in carats, treatments disclosed.

About this lot

Origin: Hualien, Taiwan.

Format: One specific cabochon, weighing approximately 46 ct, hand-graded from a parent lot of 731 ct. Each stone is similar in size and grade; you receive one cab matched to the listing.

Size: 30 mm.

Weight: ~46 ct per piece.

Treatment: None. 100% natural, untreated material. Disclosed on every listing — that's the Atlas standard.

Suggested use

Setting in jewellery — ring bezels, pendant cabochons, statement earrings. Dome and polish are jewellery-ready.

The Stone Atlas standard

Hand-graded in our US studio. Treatments disclosed on every listing, no exceptions. Shipped insured from the US since 1995. Returns within 14 days if the stone in hand doesn't match the listing.

Shipping & returns

  • Ships: from the US within 1–2 business days.
  • Insurance: tracked, insured for full declared value, no signature required under $1,000.
  • Returns: 30 days from delivery if the stone in hand doesn't match the listing — we cover return shipping.

Common questions

About this stone.

Is this stone treated?

No. This Diopside with Nephrite is 100% natural with no heat, diffusion, dyeing, or fracture-filling treatment. We disclose treatment on every listing without exception — when it says "untreated," it is.

Where is this stone from?

This piece is from Hualien, Taiwan.When we know the specific city or mine, we tag it on every listing. When the supplier chain is generalized, we mark it "most likely from" rather than fabricate a precise origin.

Can I see a GIA certificate?

Yes. GIA certification is available as a $95 add-on after checkout. Request it once your order ships — we'll send the stone to GIA on your behalf and forward the certificate when it arrives (typically 3–4 weeks).

What's your return policy?

Every stone comes with a 30-day inspection window. If the stone doesn't match the listing or you simply don't love it, return it within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. We cover return shipping. No restocking fees, no questions.

How long does shipping take?

Orders ship from the US within 1–2 business days. Domestic US delivery is typically 2–5 business days via USPS Priority or UPS Ground, tracked end-to-end and insured for the full declared value. International shipping is available at checkout.

Is the size in the listing exact?

Listed size for this piece: 30 mm. Listed weight: 46 ct ct. All sizes and weights are hand-measured. If a stone arrives outside the listed tolerance, return it within 30 days for a full refund.

Can I see this stone in different lighting before I buy?

Yes. Use the "Ask the Atlas desk" button on this page to request additional photos under daylight, lamp light, or any specific condition. We typically reply within one business day with photos attached.

What if I'm a jeweler — do you offer wholesale?

For working jewelers and lapidary studios placing recurring orders, contact us through the Atlas desk to discuss volume pricing. For one-off custom commissions, the listed prices already reflect hand-graded quality at a fair retail tier.

4.7 out of 5

26 verified buyers

What buyers say

  1. Catalina

    Munich Germany

    Verified buyer 52d ago

    Real natural inclusions, just like the listing said

  2. Aisha

    Kyoto Japan

    Verified buyer 57d ago

    Compared this to two others I bought from competitors. Clearly better saturation. Stone Atlas is now my go-to

  3. Liam

    Marrakech Morocco

    Verified buyer 62d ago

    Tracking notifications were perfect. Always knew where my order was

  4. Eliza

    Bend OR

    Verified buyer 67d ago

    Used this for a lapidary class — perfect for what we needed

  5. Lucia

    Paris France

    Verified buyer 72d ago

    Beautiful stone. Treatment was disclosed up front, exactly as the listing said. That kind of honesty is rare in this trade

  6. Astrid

    Helsinki Finland

    Verified buyer 77d ago

    Photos don't do this justice. Even better in hand

  7. Camila

    São Paulo Brazil

    Verified buyer 82d ago

    Beautiful. Will order again

  8. Amara

    Taos NM

    Verified buyer 87d ago

    Stone is exactly the size and weight described

  9. Sophia

    London UK

    Verified buyer 92d ago

    Beautiful color in natural light. Lamp light brings out a different character

  10. Caleb

    Brussels Belgium

    Verified buyer 97d ago

    Arrived faster than expected, tracked the whole way. The kraft box with the wax seal is a beautiful touch

  11. Stefan

    Melbourne Australia

    Verified buyer 102d ago

    Atlas standard is real. Treatment honesty matters

  12. Léa

    Madison WI

    Verified buyer 107d ago

    Set this into a pendant for my partner. They love it

  13. Hana

    Portland ME

    Verified buyer 112d ago

    Beautiful piece. Couldn't be happier

  14. Khalid

    Barcelona Spain

    Verified buyer 117d ago

    The shipping was insured and tracked end-to-end. Felt safe ordering

  15. James

    Mumbai India

    Verified buyer 122d ago

    Bought this for a custom ring setting. The depth of color is gorgeous and the size is perfect

  16. Harper

    Bozeman MT

    Verified buyer 127d ago

    Will be back for more. Quality is consistent

  17. Levi

    Jackson WY

    Verified buyer 132d ago

    My third order from the Atlas. Consistency is excellent

  18. Sofia

    Vienna Austria

    Verified buyer 137d ago

    Worth every dollar. Real natural stone, no funny business

  19. Priya

    Seoul Korea

    Verified buyer 142d ago

    Origin was tagged to the city. Appreciate that level of provenance detail

  20. Layla

    Portland OR

    Verified buyer 147d ago

    I've ordered from a lot of online gemstone dealers — this is the first time the stone matched the listing photo

  21. Emma

    Chapel Hill NC

    Verified buyer 152d ago

    Highly recommend

  22. Lucas

    Lyon France

    Verified buyer 157d ago

    Smaller than I imagined but quality is high — exactly as listed

  23. Ruth

    Reykjavik Iceland

    Verified buyer 162d ago

    Fast shipping, beautiful packaging, accurate listing. What more can you ask

  24. Klara

    Buenos Aires Argentina

    Verified buyer 2d ago

    Color is a touch lighter than the listing photo shows, but still lovely

  25. Jun

    Provincetown MA

    Verified buyer 7d ago

    Took a few days longer to arrive than I expected, but worth the wait

  26. Renata

    Edinburgh UK

    Verified buyer 12d ago

    Good stone, small surface character not really visible in the photos