There are two types of color for jade: one is the intrinsic color of the jade, and the other is the color change after processing.
Nephrite: The color is determined by the type and amount of trace element. For example, it is white for a nephrite with 99% tremolite. If there is a small amount of iron oxide, the color is yellow. If there is a large amount of iron oxide, the color is red. If there is iron oxide and graphite, the color is black.
Jadeite: There are six basic colors
1. white, for jade has litter impurities.
2. Red, for jade has [Fe3+] (“Fei”)
3. Green, for jade has more than 2% of [Cr] (“Chui”)
4. Black, for jade has more than 2% of [Cr] and [Fe2+]
5. Yellow, for jade has element Ta.
6. Purple, for jade has element {Cr], [Fe], and [Co].

After processing, the jade can have following color changes:
1. Oxidation in air. The difference in color for the surface and interior of a jade ware is because the surface oxidation. For example, a jade material from a river may have brown color for the portion exposed to air, and the other portion emerged in water may exhibit its original color