Nephrite Nephrite Nephrite is a variety of the calcium, magnesium, and iron-rich amphibole minerals tremolite or actinolite (aggregates of which also make up one form of asbestos). The chemical formula for nephrite is Ca(Mg, Fe)SiO(OH). It is one of two different mineral species called jade. The other mineral species known as jade is jadeite, which is a variety of pyroxene. While nephrite jade possesses mainly grays and greens (and occasionally yellows, browns or whites), jadeite jade, which is rarer, can also contain blacks, reds, pinks and violets. Nephrite jade is an ornamental stone used in carvings, beads, or cabochon cut gemstones.
Ornamental Gardens, Ottawa Ornamental Gardens, Ottawa The Ornamental Gardens are located at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa, Ontario Canada. Once used as a test facility for the development of winter hardy roses, weigela and peonies, it now acts as the steward to several large collections of ornamentals. Several notable collections include the Explorer rose collection, the Arthur Percy Saunders peonies and the Isabella Preston lilac series. To provide a proper environment for the many plant collections the Ornamental Gardens has been subdivided into several features. These include the Macoun Memorial garden, the Lilac walk, the Rock garden, the Perennial