Meiling jade (a natural nephrite), derived from Xiaomeiling region in Liyang, Jiangsu Province, occurs in the outer contact zone between granite and marble. Besides field geological investigation, the methods of microscope and SEM (scanning electron microscope) observation, X-ray diffraction, electron microprobe analyses and determination of physical qualities are adopted for the study. The results show that the main mineral constituent is tremolite with nematoblastic texture, and a little magnetite and clay mineral. The main chemical components of tremolite are SiO2, MgO and CaO, the minor components are Na2O and P2O5, the contents of these components are higher than those in Hetian jade. Colors of Meiling jade are mostly white, grey-white and grey, the colors become darker as the content of Fe2+ increases. The jade is semitransparent or opaque, with vitreous luster, the average density is 2.99 g/cm3, the hardness is 5~6, and the refraction index is 1.61. Due to special texture, Meiling jade with large pieces and few cracks shows a good technological processing property.