A name that may be applied correctly to two distinct minerals. The two true jades are jadeite and nephrite. In addition, a variety of other minerals are incorrectly called jade. Idocrase is called California jade, dyed calcite is called Mexican jade, and green grossularite garnet is called Transvaal or South African jade. The most commonly encountered jade substitute is the mineral serpentine. It is often called new jade or Korean jade. The most widely distributed and earliest known true type is nephrite, the less valuable of the two. Jadeite, the most precious of gemstones to the Chinese, is much rarer and more expensive.