African Jade Gemstone Beads, Round, 8mm (strand)

The name African jade is used to describe an opaque grossular garnet that comes from South African mines, and resembles jade. Also known as buddstone, garnet jade, and Transvaal jade, these semiprecious beads often contain a mix of light green, pink and white. The form of grossular garnet they're cut from is a silicate of calcium and aluminum that's used as an inexpensive substitute for jade. The term "grossular" comes from the Latin word for "gooseberry," a reflection on the stone's green color.

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