Big Sur Jade Necklace? The 103 Latest Answer

Remember! It is your responsibility to be aware of the Rockhounding laws and regulations for any website you visit. It is also your responsibility to check any collection point mentioned on this website and obtain permission to visit. Always respect private property!

Jade is one of the most sought after stones, known mainly from the rich green variety, but it comes in many colors. California has a reputation for amazing jade, it just has to be found by the intrepid rockhound.

If you’re looking for where to find jade in California, you’re in luck. Let’s dive in and I’ll show you five great places where you can have a chance of finding real treasure.

Where to Find Jade in California

1.BigSur

Big Sur is home to something unique: the only known underwater deposit of nephrite jade. It comes in a variety of different sizes and was historically mined commercially by divers.

Occasionally, boulders pulled from the seabed turn up at the local market. You are a forgotten treasure of another time. As such, they fetch high prices. It’s easy to see why: some of the jade pulled from the shore is among the finest nephrites in the world.

It is still possible for the collector to find different types of jade along the coast. Most of this can be found in the cobblestones along the beach, along with agates and some other collectible minerals.

The rules are a bit shady, with different locations allowing or disallowing the collection. It also changes over time. The best thing to do is to report to a ranger station and see where you can go stone hunting.

Don’t be tempted to go where you shouldn’t. Unlike many collection points across the US, Big Sur’s beaches are closely patrolled for those who break the rules.

You’ll find that most of the places on this list are either in or near Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. There are plenty of options for rockhounds searching for jade in the area, whether it’s scuba diving, searching riverbeds, or walking through beach pavements.

2. Jade Bay

Jade Cove is just south of Big Sur, but it’s another great place to find jade. Many people actually dive offshore here, venturing into the frigid Pacific waters to find different varieties of jade beneath the surface.

If you are a diver this is the place to check out. A heavy vein of nephrite jade runs from the shore here, and the pieces that break off are not always small. People have reported finding, and even rediscovering, huge rocks out there.

The rules are pretty simple: if you can carry it back to the surf, you’re good to go. There are weight limits on the lifting bags you’re allowed to use, and you can’t use anything other than hand tools to pry out loose rocks.

The beach is also a promising place to find some jade, but if you’re already in the area you might want to head further north and find the actual beaches of Big Sur.

3. Willow Creek in Monterey County

You don’t always have to go to the beach to find jade in California. If you’re more of a creek bed type, you can follow the bed of Willow Creek in Monterey County. More specifically, you need to take the 1 through the Pfeiffer State Forest until you reach the Willow Creek Road.

Or at one of the other campsites nearby.

There are many hiking trails here that intersect with the creek. You’ll want to peek into the cobblestones below, in addition to the usual agates and jaspers, you’ll find various varieties of jade found in almost every California stream, river, and creek.

Experienced riverbed diggers will have fun here. It’s also a great place to learn for newbies as there are a variety of different stones to identify on the field.

4. Storm Jade Mine

Of course, you can also go to the desert to find jade. Storm Jade Mine is located in Joshua Tree National Park.

You can take Pinto Basin Road off the 10 and follow it to Black Eagle Mine Road, which eventually cuts north of the mine. The roads are rough and you may need a truck or SUV to get to this point.

From there it is most practical to just follow the path. Out in the desert, the jade tends to blend with the rocks, but it’s for those out there willing to look.

This area is quite remote so make sure you have food, water and emergency supplies if you decide to hunt in the area. For those not used to rockhounding in the desert… bring twice as much water as you think you will need.

Trust me on that. The desert makes no concessions to those who are unprepared.

5. Butte County

Butte County has quite a bit of the stone known as Pulga Jade. It is closer to Californite, another form of serpentine. We’re going to talk about the differences in California Jade in a moment, what we’re here for is Jade.

And here Pulga Jade is found. Although most of it has been mined, there are still finds waiting to be found in the streams, rivers and around the old mine.

Our research hasn’t given us a single good spot in the county, but a quick look at an aerial map will tell you there’s plenty of public lands to explore in the area. Walk through the usual suspects: old mines and riverbeds.

Pulga Jade, the main variety in Butte County, is an opaque, olive-green stone that needs a damn polish. Nowadays it is becoming increasingly rare and it can be an adventure just to bring home a sample of this unique stone.

A word about California Jade

Jade actually refers to two different stones. The one that springs to mind for most people is “Imperial” Jade, a rich green with lots of transparency. This type of jade is also called jadeite.

The jade found in California is nephrite jade, which has a slightly different composition. While it’s not a cheap stone, it’s not quite at the gemstone prices you’ll find for jadeite. Nephrite is the type of jade most commonly used in carvings, including the ancient Chinese carvings that many people associate with the stone.

While good nephrite jade can be found in California, most of these stones are lower on the quality spectrum. Most of the good quality stones were collected on the surface in many areas.

The other thing to keep in mind is that California jade comes in a variety of colors. Red, yellow and white are some of the variations. They also have “California Jade” or Californite, a green variant of Vesuvianite sometimes found in the same locations.

Oh, and many areas where jade can be found have a lot of serpentine.

My point is this: finding and identifying jade in California is more complex than it first appears.

For most of us, of course, that’s only part of the adventure. Just make sure you do your homework before you start bragging about your new find.

For millennia, people have admired jade for its richness of color and decorative nature, qualities that have led to the stone being associated with royalty, luxury and beauty. Today, people around the world continue to enjoy what this beautiful stone has to offer, whether in terms of its natural form, jewelry, decoration, ceremonial relevance, or more. Want to learn more about how much your jade is worth in today’s market? First we need to answer a question: what is jade?

Jade or Jadeite?

The name jade actually refers to two different silicate minerals: nephrite and jadeite. While two of them may look pretty much the same in terms of texture and color, they actually differ in their characteristics. For example, nephrite can be found in off-white shades, as well as a variety of light green colors. It is also a much softer mineral and much more common in nature. However, jadeite offers more color variation, is much harder, and has a structure similar to crystal, which often contributes to its translucency. Jadeite is also very rare, having been recorded in fewer than 12 locations around the world.

What is the most expensive piece of jade?

According to an ancient Chinese proverb “黄金有价，玉无价” (“Gold has value, jade is priceless”), it is easier to determine the value of gold than to determine the value of jade, as it is often the Value of gold exceeds stone. While many technical parameters need to be considered in order to put a price tag on a jade object, such as mineral composition, size or clarity, one of the most important aspects is also the design and the context in which the object was used. The purpose can affect the value so much that the small jade object can be much more expensive than a larger jade sculpture. For example, one of the most expensive ancient jade objects is the Neolithic vessel called Jade Cong with sacred human and animal faces from the Liangzhu culture. The round jar is just 8.4 cm in diameter and was sold for around $230,000 in 2018. Already the most expensive piece of jade jewelry is Barbara Hutton’s iconic jade necklace, which sold for a record-breaking $27.44 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong and added to the Cartier Collection in 2018.

Is jade and greenstone the same thing?

Yes, they are all Nephrite Jade. New Zealand calls it greenstone since Captain Cook named it, and the Maori word for greenstone is pounamu.

Where does the jade stone come from?

Many different regions of the world including New Zealand, Canada, Russia, Australia

Where is your NZ Greenstone from?

It is mainly found in the alpine region of the South Island.

Is it real jade?

All jades are real and we only sell real nephrite jade in our stores.

Is that chinese jade?

No Chinese jade is known as jadeite. It has a different mineral composition than nephrite jade, which affects its texture and color, producing a paler or mottled green color and can sometimes have a milky appearance. At JadeCentre we only sell Nephrite Jade.

Does the quality differ between different colored jade?

Yes, like a diamond, there are different grades of jade that are determined by multiple factors, not just color. An inferior jade is too fragile to carve as it has more cracks and breaks more easily. The detail carved and the time it takes the carver to create the piece also determine the quality and value of jade.

What is the difference between light jade and dark jade?

The difference is in the iron content (more in the dark) and where the jade is actually cut from the stone.

Is the darker jade harder than the lighter jade?

No, the color does not determine the hardness of jade, but the composition.

Why is the Australian Jade Black?

The black color comes from the iron and/or graphite content in the rock.

How can you tell the difference between NZ & Overseas Jade?

New Zealand jade has a greater variety of colors including brown, yellow and green. Overseas jade tends to be more solid in color.

How can you tell the difference between NZ & Overseas Jade?

New Zealand jade has a greater variety of colors including brown, yellow and green. Overseas jade tends to be more solid in color.

How is jade/greenstone formed?

Jade is formed by the tremendous and constant pressure created deep within the earth’s crust by volcanoes and land movement, creating a sediment of calcium and magnesium that we know as jade.

How strong is jade?

Jade is one of the toughest natural materials available and has a grade of 6.5 on the MOH scale. However, the strength of jade is determined by how thick the piece of jade is cut or carved. The thicker the piece, the stronger it becomes, the thinner and more detailed the piece becomes more fragile.

Can we name who carved the pieces?

No, each piece is hand carved by up to 3-4 artisans performing different stages of carving such as cutting, designing, polishing etc.

Can we get a custom made piece?

Yes we can make custom pieces, email us directly at [email protected]

Who designs the pendants and carvings?

We have highly skilled designers both in New Zealand for our traditional Maori products and abroad for our more unique pieces.

Why do you source some of your jade from British Columbia?

Because in New Zealand the amount of jade we can buy is limited, we have to source it from other parts of the world as well.

Do followers come blessed?

No, we don’t have them blessed before they’re in store as our jewelry is touched by customers every day. Jade pieces should only be blessed upon purchase so that there is a spiritual connection between the giver and the receiver.

Can you buy the jade for yourself and still be lucky?

Yes, but the Maori believe that if you receive a piece of jade as a gift, you will have better luck. Each tribe has a different take on this, but if you find it bad to buy it for yourself, you can overcome this by getting someone else to put the carving around your neck for the first time. However, stealing a piece of jade is very unlucky.

Can we cure?

Yes, we can cure anywhere in the world.

Think of buying a beautiful jade bracelet only to find out later that it is fake.

Oh no! You deserve better.

But how do you know if jade is real? Is there an exact DIY way to know what’s what?

Jade has been a popular gemstone for centuries. Its cultural importance is enormous, especially in Latin America and China.

Image by PanStock via Shutterstock

Jade bracelets

The stone is not only sought after because of its value, but is also considered a symbol of purity and virtue as well as wisdom and courage.

But with a rising price tag, fame and demand comes the horde of scammers who trick people into buying fake jade jewelry. There are many different types of jade and each has its own unique characteristics that can be used to determine authenticity.

So it’s time to put those Sherlock Holmes skills into action and figure out how to tell if your new shiny bracelet is real or fake. Let’s explore some ways on how to identify fake and real jade pieces to avoid being scammed.

Carving a gourd plant in white jade

Carving a gourd plant in white jade

How can you tell if jade is genuine: What is jade?

Jade is a gemstone that has been revered for ceremonial and religious purposes in different parts of the world for centuries. Hard to believe, but the word “jade” comes from the Spanish term “piedra de ijada” or “flank stone”. This makes sense when you learn that mystical healing powers have been attributed to jade for kidney and lumbar ailments.

In ancient China, it was believed that wearing jade could cure diseases and ward off evil spirits, which is why they placed it on royal tombs. Throughout history, this gemstone has been used for everything from decorative carvings to jewelry with religious significance.

The mineral stone is available in different colors and shows shades from light green to jet black and even white or yellow-grey. However, the green varieties of this stone are the most popular.

Jade also has astrological significance. As an August birthstone, it is believed to cleanse the root chakra of people in the zodiac signs of Leo and Virgo.

Some other green gems are also very important in astrology. One of them is peridot, which means sun and light. You can find him in a couple of highly aesthetic shades of green.

How many types of jade are there?

There are basically two categories: nephrite and jadeite. They belong to different groups of minerals and the differences don’t stop there. Some of the key distinctions are:

nephrite

Nephrite jade comes in various shades of green and gray, as well as several brown, yellow, and white variations. China’s popular mutton fat jade is a type of creamy white nephrite, while its opaque white to light brown versions are known as chicken bone jade.

Fine Nephrite Pendant – Image 634742684 via Shutterstock

These stones are typically translucent, while fibrous ones have a cloudy appearance due to their fibers being tightly packed together like wool felt or silk organza. After polishing, it takes on different shades of color depending on the polishing elements and techniques.

Compared to jadeite, nephrite is more available and slightly softer in nature (typically 6.0 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale). Nonetheless, the stones show good fracture toughness.

jadeite

Jadeite is a type of green jade that also comes in a lavender gray to blue-green variety. A beautiful green-emerald variant is known as Imperial Jade, which China’s last emperor was very fond of. He used it for himself and because of its rarity, he wanted it more than any other treasure.

Its primary colors are variations of green – teal, dark green, and light green. However, you can find it in a handful of rare colors — from shades of pink, lavender, and black to light purple with some white speckles. Unlike nephrite, it has a uniform translucent quality that makes it appear almost invisible when held up to the sky at noon.

Antique jade jewelry

Authentic jadeite is harder than nephrite, but both work well for carving and jewelry with intricate designs. Its hardness ranges from 6.0 to 7.0 on the Mohs scale, meaning it can scratch crystal and calcite, but not quartz and corundum.

All jade lovers should know the differences between these two varieties so they can get what they are looking for when shopping for a new piece of jade jewelry.

Other jade variations

A Turkish violet jade or turkiyenite is widely available in the commercial market. It is found in the Bursa region of Turkey and contains about 40 to 60 percent jadeite concentration.

Image by GemBeadBracelets via Etsy

Purple Turkish Jade Bracelet

The stones have a beautiful violet hue but do not display the same luminosity as the rare lavender or violet jadeite.

How to tell if jade is real: tips to spot a fake jade bracelet

Let’s get back to that jade bracelet you recently bought and have flaunted at every party since. Is it a real deal? Don’t live in doubt. Test the authenticity of the jade bracelet with these simple but effective techniques:

1- the look test: check the texture

The first step in determining whether your jade gemstone is genuine or not is to assess its texture. Jade comes in many different colors, but should never be opaque or matte.

A dull texture means it is not real jade and may have been colored with chemicals. If there are bubbles inside or two different colors in one stone, chances are a particular piece of jewelry was made out of glass or imitation jade to make it look like a real gemstone.

Image by Karelnoppe via Shutterstock

Massage with jade rollers

The best jade is translucent and smooth to the touch. Their color is vibrant and eye-catching that reflects light like water. There are also opaque stones, but they are quite cheap.

2- How to know if jade is real: the light test, looking for consistency and irregularities

The light test is probably the easiest of all ways to determine if jade is real. Place your bracelet directly under the light and note the color consistency. It should be consistent throughout with some minor variations and patterns. Counterfeit jade will have internal imperfections or its coloring will be fairly impeccable.

If the bracelet has a pattern that is too perfect and even, then it is probably not authentic. Look for flaws in how the stone is cut or how lines appear on its surface. Authentic jade will have minor imperfections such as dents on the surface even if it has been polished.

Image by SvetlanaSF via Shutterstock

Jade bracelets at Chinatown Market in Singapore

However, a high quality jade bracelet available at a premium price may not exhibit these imperfections as it is extensively polished and inspected prior to sale.

3- The “Toss Test”: How to check the density of jade

If you’re not sure how to identify the authenticity of the jade bracelet, throw it in the air. If it’s authentic, it should feel difficult to catch. It feels like this because original jade has a high density (nephrite jade is 2.90-3.03 and jadeite jade is 3.30-3.38).

Throw and catch it a few times to feel its weight. A fake made of glass or other materials doesn’t feel that heavy.

The throw or density test is not a surefire way to find the real or fake jade, but it is a popular method nonetheless.

4- The “Click Test”: Listen to Jade Music

If you’re still not sure if jade is real, then listen carefully to its sound. Do you already have a real jade piece in your jewelry collection? If so, gently tap it against your bracelet. Something metallic like a key or coin will work, but don’t hit it too hard. This is also known as a “sound test”.

If it’s made of glass, plastic, or some other lightweight material, the sound is quite hollow with a kind of echo. If you tap real jade, the same sound comes back as a muffled and deep resonant sound.

5- How to tell if jade is real with the “scratch test”.

The jade jewelry scratch test is a simple way to determine if your bracelet is real or not.

An original jade stone is very hard, so you cannot easily scratch it with ordinary metal objects that we use in our daily life. For example, the hardness of steel is 5.0 on the Mohs scale, but jade hovers between 6.0 and 7.0, so the steel cannot nick the surface of jade.

Scratch the surface of your bracelet with a steel object such as a knife or needle. If it leaves clear marks, the piece of jewelery is not genuine. Other jewelry gemstones like topaz or amethyst will nick jade easily, so this is a good way to tell real jade from fake.

No powdery substance may be released by the scraping. If it is, it is likely a fake or substandard jade.

Three grades of jade: which one do you have?

To understand the quality of your jade bracelet, you need to know the grades of this gemstone available in the market. What does it mean when the jeweler says it is a type B jade bracelet? Does that mean real jade, an inferior one, or something that isn’t jade at all?

Jewelers often use various techniques to stabilize gemstones. Common treatments are whitening and layering. Depending on the type of treatment and the quality of the stones, there are three different categories:

Type A

Type A jade is natural, meaning it has not undergone any artificial treatment to strengthen or enhance it. Every element used to clean and polish these stones is natural. Basically, jewelers use prune juice for cleaning and beeswax for polishing.

Type B

These jade gemstones are also authentic with their natural color but partially treated artificially. Jewelers bleach these stones to purify them, then inject polymers to intensify the translucent properties. These jade pieces look more polished than the Type A variations, but have less durability. Due to polymer injection, type B jade stones become brittle over time.

Type C

Type C refers to treated jade, which is the lowest quality among all genuine jade types available on the market. Jewelers bleach and dye jade extensively to improve transparency. Since the stones are already of poor quality, the artificial treatments hasten their demise.

What Are Some Popular Imitation Jade Varieties?

There are some gems that are jade lookalikes but are made up of different elements. They are mainly sold as imitation jade at cheaper prices. If you want to know how to tell if jade is real, you should read up on replicas.

Serpentine Jade (New Jade, Korean Jade, Olive Jade)

Widely used as a substitute for jade, its coloring is almost similar to real jade. However, serpentine is softer and fails the scratch test. Its colors range from various shades of green to brown and yellow. Under the light test, it shows a visible white cloud shape on the inside.

Transvaal Jade (Grossular Garnet, South African Jade)

Pure grossular is white in color but also comes in a few other varieties including green, red, and yellow. The greener variant resembles jade on the surface; hence the name Transvaal jade, which is a marketing ploy to increase market value.

Grossular Garnet is a popular February birthstone believed to have beneficial effects in the lives of Aquarius and Pisces people.

Prehnite

It is a brittle crystal resembling jade with shades of light green to yellow. The stone is also available in a few other shades in addition to a colorless version. It has a glassy appearance and a pearly luster.

The Malaysia Jade

The Malaysia jade is very popular in some Southeast Asian countries. The translucent quartz is often confused with high quality jade. It is available in many colors as it is possible to dye them in almost any shade. Shades of blue, red and yellow are the predominant colors of this species.

Australian Jade or Chrysoprase

The stone is primarily from Queensland, Australia and closely resembles Burmese jade (Imperial). The translucent stone comes in various shades of green due to the nickel mineralization.

Mountain Jade (Dolomite Marble)

Originating from Asia, this jade imitation is a first-class dolomite marble. It bears resemblance not only to jade but also to several other top-notch gemstones as they can be colored in several vibrant hues.

aventurine

Aventurine is a type of quartz that has an uncanny affinity for jade. The usual color of this gem is green, but blue, orange, yellow, and brown variations are also readily available.

How to Tell if Jade is Real: Frequently Asked Questions Section

Q. Is real jade cold to the touch?

A. Jade is cool to the touch and does not heat up even if you rub it against your skin or press it firmly with your palms. Counterfeit materials are usually warmer because they are made of plastic or glass, which retain heat more easily.

Q. How can you tell the quality of jade?

A. Only a jewelry expert can make the final judgment on the quality of a piece of jade jewelry. However, you should still look at the color, texture, and weight of the stone to make the primary assessment. Anything too perfect or too spotty is suspect.

Also, always buy from a reputable, trusted brand/dealer as real jade would never be available at a bargain price.

Q. How to tell if jade is real: does jadeite glow in the dark?

On a. Some highly translucent pieces may have a faint sheen, but a real piece of jadeite will not emit light in the dark or fluoresce under ultraviolet (UV) light. A chemically bleached piece of jade may emit a pale blue-white luster under long-wave UV light.

Q. How to tell if jade is real: what color of jade is the most valuable?

A green. Jadeite is more valuable than nephrite and all expensive jade stones are different variations of jadeite. Imperial jade, an almost transparent stone with a rich emerald color, is the most expensive of all types. Kingfisher Jade comes second with a slightly less transparent shade of green.

Q. Is it bad luck to buy jade for yourself?

A. Not really. Hundreds of thousands of people around the world buy jade jewelry for themselves without any particular bad luck. However, the Maori practice the custom of gifting jade rather than buying it or extracting it from sources to maintain social balance.

How to tell if jade is real: bottom line

Are you still confused about how to tell if jade is real? It’s true that only experts can tell if a gemstone is real, but these tips could be a good place to start. Use them as guidelines when trying to figure out how to tell a genuine jade bracelet from an imitation. Keep in mind that each piece will vary slightly as no two stones will ever be exactly alike!

When you enter the gallery of feng shui and jade expert Lotus on Water along Sin Ming Road, you would think you had accidentally stumbled into a haute jeweller’s showroom.

Ornate plush carpets, expensive antique furniture and multi-million dollar jade pendants fill the room, while a uniformed butler pours you a welcome glass of Laurent Perrier champagne.

A lot of this seems to have to do with feng shui and how one can gain wealth simply by wearing the right jade. Sound easy? According to Lotus on Water executive director Kan Ying Loong, 31, there is a wealth of knowledge about buying jade.

He has been in this direction for 19 years and has studied with the famous fengshui master Yun Long Zi since he was in elementary school (fun fact: Master Yun was a former social studies teacher who taught Ying Loong at North View Primary School).

Lotus on Water, which also offers advice for customers looking to buy jade, counts Huang Biren among its customers. “She bought a large piece of Grade A jade here a long time ago, I think it was in the shape of a flower,” Ying Loong recalls.

Jade is rarely considered an investment item, but in fact has occasionally fetched a higher price than diamond. The most expensive piece of jade jewelry – a necklace set with 27 jade beads – fetched a whopping US$27.4 million (S$36.5 million) at auction in 2014, six times the price it fetched at another auction 20 years earlier. Does grandma’s jade bangle still seem so trendy to you?

Oh, and jade can be the elixir of youth, too, if you believe the beauty bloggers who are raving about the wonders of jade rollers online. Just look at the baby-faced Ying Loong, who appears to be at least five years younger than he really is.

Fascinated? Here are some tips for jade newbies from Ying Loong:

1. Buying jade is not much different from buying diamonds.

Keep these four points in mind when examining a piece of jade. “Look at its quality. How clear does it look? What color is that? How is it carved? What’s his carat? It’s actually a bit like buying diamonds. A good piece of jade has more [intricate] detail and is delicately carved. If unsure, buy from a reputable brand name rather than a gem market. It’s more legitimate because a brand name seller needs to protect their own reputation. Jade is actually a general term used to describe both jadeite and nephrite. The jade that people know to be common in the market is jadeite. Nephrite is milky in color and looks more like soap.”

2. Wearing fake jade could harm your skin more than your reputation.

“Some of the jade is soaked in industrial acid to remove the impurities so it looks clearer. Of course, market sellers will not tell you that it is bleached jade. They call it “enhanced jade”. Once the [molecular] structure of jade is broken down with chemicals, it is considered counterfeit jade. Let’s not even talk about bad luck; It is harmful to wear these jade pieces simply because they are coated with acid. If you wear it on your skin every day, it will harm you. I had a client who brought in the jade bangle she had been wearing for a decade for authentication and I could tell immediately it was fake because she had a mark on her arm that resembled a burn scar. But you can’t really feel [the acid burn] as it slowly accumulates over time.”

3. Wear used jade at your own risk – even if you inherited it.

“Crystals and jade are natural gemstones that contain qi [the Chinese belief in one’s life force],” says Ying Loong. “Typically, used jade is sold because the previous owner has passed away or the seller needs money, although some retailers allow customers to trade in their old jade pieces for an upgrade. There is still qi in this jade. Some people inherit jade heirlooms, but we usually recommend keeping them. Everyone has their own lucky and unlucky colors when it comes to jade. If you happen to be wearing a piece of jade that’s the wrong color for you, that’s not good.”

4. If your jade bangle breaks easily, it is probably a fake.

“Fake jade breaks easily because its molecular structure is already broken after being treated with industrial chemicals. But in Fengshui we believe that if you have a good piece of jade that suddenly breaks even without impact, it “blocks” some kind of misfortune for you. I once went to North Korea for sightseeing when I was studying Chinese at Peking University [in Beijing]. The night before the trip, my dragon jade pendant’s tail broke off for no apparent reason. But this trip went well. Maybe it’s my trailer (laughs).”

5. Jade can be disposed of properly.

“If your jade breaks, don’t try to glue it back or wear it again. Traditionally, such broken jade is disposed of by wrapping the pieces in red cloth and throwing them into a river. But in Singapore you would be fined for avoiding littering! So I tell people to put the jade in a red packet or plastic bag and throw it in a trash can.”

6. Form matters.

Ying Loong says, “Our customers can customize their jade as they like, but we recommend a design that is elegant and can bring prosperity. I don’t think a Jade Hello Kitty charm will do anything for her! The shape of the jade is important. Each design has a different meaning. For example, peonies are for ladies who want power. Empress Dowager Wu Zetian surrounded herself with peonies. Peaches represent longevity and health. Bamboo can help with career and studies. We also have Mother Mary and Ganesha jade pendants. I respond to the wishes of my customers (laughs).”

Jade is one of the world’s oldest beloved gemstones and has long been revered by gemstone lovers around the world, but nowhere more so than in China. But what makes this gem so special? dr Juliette Hibou FGA, Gem-A Assistant Gemmology Tutor, gives us an overview of jade, how to identify it and its importance in Chinese culture.

From the emperors of China, who considered it a heavenly gem, to Cartier, who used it in the finest Art Deco jewelry designs, jade remains an eternal and mystical stone, an object of fascination and desire that is often described as “the unfathomable.” ” referred to as. “mysterious” and “enigmatic”.

Getting to grips with jade terminology

Definition and means of identification of jade are varied and have evolved over the centuries. Historically, the term jade referred primarily to nephrite jade, which has been quarried and highly prized in China for millennia. In 1863, the French mineralogist Alexis Damour analyzed the chemical composition of a Burmese jade (quarried only since the late 18th century) and a Chinese jade carving and revealed their differences. Since then, jadeite and nephrite have been considered two distinctly different materials, both known as “jade”.

Examples of Nephrite Jade. Picture by Pat Daly, Gem-A.

Nephrite is a cryptocrystalline calcium-magnesium-iron-rich silicate mineral with hydroxyl:Ca(MgFe)5Si8O22(OH)2. It is part of the amphibole group in the fibrous variety of the tremolite-actinolite mineral series.

A widespread material, nephrite has played an important role in many civilizations such as the Maoris, who call it pounamu (‘green stone’). However, it is in China that it holds the greatest importance as it dates back 5000 years. Nowadays, Chinese nephrite production from the Kulun Mountains in western China is shrinking and nephrite is mainly supplied from Canada (British Columbia).

Jadeite is a polycrystalline sodium aluminum silicate: NaAl(SiO 3 ) 2 and belongs to the pyroxene group. Rarely found pure, jadeite is generally a rock composed primarily of jadeite with small amounts of other minerals, notably kosmochlor and omphacite.

A jadeite jade pendant. Picture by Pat Daly, Gem-A.

Jadeite was first imported into China about 250 years ago from northern Myanmar (Uru River Valley, Kachin State), which was then under Chinese rule. Today the region remains the main source of jadeite.

Jadeite was also found in what is now Guatemala (Motagua River Valley) and played an important role in the pre-Columbian Olmec, Mayan and Aztec civilizations. Its green color has been associated with water, plants, especially corn, and life in general, and has been incorporated into many rituals. Early Spanish conquerors were fascinated to see that this green stone was valued far more highly than gold by the locals.

properties of jade

Jade is a metamorphic rock found in alluvial deposits around the world as boulders and pebbles of various sizes. It is a versatile material with a range of uses from carved objects to shaped beads and cabochons. There are many factors that make jade a desirable gemstone material and contribute to its identification.

jade durability

Nephrite and Jadeite are polycrystalline materials composed of tiny interlocking crystals, and both are extremely resilient materials. Nephrite is the hardest gemstone with its fibrous texture.

An enlargement of jadeite jade reveals its tough polycrystalline structure. Picture by Pat Daly, Gem-A.

Jade is very break and chip resistant and therefore very durable. This was recognized in prehistoric times when the stone was worked to make tools, weapons and utensils as it did not break easily and could retain a strong sharp edge. Jade is also a relatively hard stone, with nephrite at 6.5 and jadeite at 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it relatively resistant to abrasion.

Jade color palette

The wide variety of colors that jade can appear in makes it a particularly appealing stone. The palette includes colorless, white, yellow, orange, green, lavender and black. Green and lavender jadeite are most prized – and imitated. The finest jadeite is almost transparent with a pure, vivid emerald green color due to chromium and is known as “Imperial Jade”. Spinach-green nephrite, colored by iron, is the most valuable along with the translucent white “mutton fat” variety. An even coloring or an attractive color speckle are elements that also make jade desirable.

How does jade interact with light?

Jade’s transparency ranges from highly translucent to sub-translucent; The more translucent, the more valuable the specimen.

Jade has a soft, greasy to glassy luster, with jadeite usually having a higher surface luster than nephrite because of its higher hardness. This shine varies with the quality of the polish and the presence of surface treatments such as bleaching and impregnation.

Jade – The multi-sensory gem

Jade is a highly tactile material with a soft, firm, and smooth texture. Many experts insist on touching jade as part of the identification process.

According to G. F. Kunz, the Chinese consider jade to be “the musical jewel par excellence” and have been used as a percussion instrument for centuries. The imperial court in China had chimes and bells made of nephrite designed to sound specific tones. When Chinese composer Tan Dun was commissioned to create the official awards music for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, he decided to blend the sound of ancient bronze bells with the lighter sound of jade instruments.

Examination for jade gemstones

Observation is the key to testing jade. The cryptocrystalline structure of nephrite cannot be seen even under magnification. Jadeite, on the other hand, can exhibit a highly granular structure of interlocking pyroxene crystals, sometimes appearing more fibrous in areas of intense green. Some translucent varieties like water jade show very little structure.

The “orange peel” effect seen on the surface of a jade specimen. Picture by Pat Daly, Gem-A.

Since the individual interlocking grains can vary in hardness depending on their orientation, the polishing process can create a characteristic nub or “orange peel” effect on the surface. This is a unique feature of jadeite and a key factor in identification. The more recent use of diamond grains has made the dimples less noticeable and resulted in a higher luster. This makes it easier to possibly distinguish the older jadeite pieces from modern ones.

The index of refraction for jadeite is typically 1.66, while nephrite reads at 1.62 with distance viewing on the refractometer.

Jade in China

Jade is the most valued in Chinese culture today. The philosopher Confucius allegedly expressed this fascination by making jade a metaphor for virtue, kindness, wisdom, justice, courtesy, music, sincerity, truth, heaven and earth. It is believed to have the power to ward off evil and misfortune while promoting health and happiness.

During the early Chinese dynasties (ca. 2070-256 BC), jade was used exclusively by kings and nobles. It is no coincidence that the Chinese character yu, denoting jade – and more generally beauty and preciousness – is very similar to the character wang, denoting king. Therefore, ritual objects made of jade were used by Chinese emperors.

Gui or jade tablets were used by the emperor to communicate with supernatural powers and became a symbol of power when worn by the emperor or court dignitaries.

A jade carving next to six jade cabochons of different colors. Image by Gem-A.

A Chinese proverb says: “You can put a price on gold, but jade is priceless”. Indeed, jade has a special meaning in China and today the market is being led by China’s economic growth. Demand for high-quality jade has skyrocketed since the turn of the century, with prices increasing tenfold in the first decade.

Overall, high-quality jade can be compared to certain rare colored diamonds, which are priced well above ruby ​​or sapphire per carat. Some exceptional pieces with unique provenance have fetched incredible prices, such as the 18th-century Chinese Qianlong Emperor’s green nephrite seal, which sold for $15.7 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in 2010, or Barbara Hutton’s legendary Imperial Green Jadeite Necklace assembled by Cartier which fetched $27.22 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in 2014.

With exceptional prices like these, it is safe to say that jade continues to be valued as a beautiful and highly sought-after gemstone, and will continue to be loved and revered internationally for years to come.

Do you want to increase your knowledge about gemstones? Take a look at our Gemology Foundation course.

Do you have a passion for gemology but are new to the field? Take a look at our upcoming introductory workshops.

Cover picture: Green jadeite jade rough. Picture by Pat Daly, Gem-A.

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Jade is a very unique and distinctive looking gemstone that has been prized since ancient times. Because it is such a coveted stone, there are a few pitfalls to avoid when purchasing it. Read on for everything you need to know about jade to help you purchase and care for your own piece.

what is jade

The beautiful word jade comes from the Spanish piedra de la ijada, meaning “stone of colic” because the ancient Mayans and Aztecs believed jade could heal pain in the sides of the body. Throughout history, jade has held a very special place in Chinese culture and is called ‘yu’, meaning ‘royal gem’.

What we refer to as jade are actually two separate gems. These two gems are jadeite and nephrite, which were thought to be the same stone until the mid-18th century. Although both stones are still considered jade today, they are recognized as having different properties and uses.

Of the two, jadeite is rarer, more expensive, and can be found in a range of beautiful colors.

Nephrite, on the other hand, typically comes in green, yellow, and white, with some varieties being red. It has a more waxy, oily appearance than jadeite.

Nephrite is widely available and therefore cheaper. However, nephrite is slightly tougher than jadeite because its structure is denser.

Jade is found in many regions of the world. While jadeite is primarily found in North America and western Canada, nephrite is commonly found in China, Russia, and New Zealand.

How do I rate Jade?

Not all jade is created equal and as such it can be difficult to find high quality jade on the market. The best jade is translucent, vivid in color and smooth to the touch. When evaluating jade, color, transparency and texture are the most important aspects to consider.

Evaluation of the color of jade

Color is the most important indicator of quality and value of jade. Although the word jade is almost synonymous with the word green, jade actually comes in a range of rainbow colors as well as black and white.

Source: GIA

The most valuable and sought-after jade is of course a certain shade of green, also known as imperial jade. This is one of the most expensive gemstones and is highly sought after. Some other treasured shades of green jade are kingfisher jade, apple jade, and moss-in-snow jade.

After green, lavender jade is the second most valuable, with black, orange, and red jade also being popular.

Nephrite Jade Pendant. See this trailer on the Helzberg.

jadeite pendant. See it here.

Look for bold, vibrant colors when choosing your jade. The color of the jade should be vibrant and vibrant. You should also make sure that you view the stone under both artificial and natural light.

Evaluation of the jade transparency

Jade comes in opaque to semi-transparent varieties. This gives the jade its special appearance and distinguishes it from other green gemstones.

The most valuable type of jade is semi-transparent, giving it a slightly hazy appearance. When light enters such a jade, it penetrates deep into the stone and gives it a luminous appearance.

Completely opaque jade is not desirable, nor is it completely transparent. Jade with mottled transparency where some parts of the stone are cloudy is also not very desirable.

Evaluation of jade clarity and texture

Jadeite is smooth and soft to the touch. What contributes to its texture is the size and hardness of its crystals that make up the stone. Jade is made up of tiny crystals that tightly interlock as the stone forms.

Jade can be found with three main crystal sizes – fine, medium and coarse. The best texture is fine-grain jade. These stones are smooth to the touch and have a very high luster.

Choose Jade Cut

Jade is a versatile stone that can be cut and carved into all shapes. Due to its fine-grained crystal structure, it is easy to cut and will not break, crack or splinter when cut.

The best quality jade is usually cut into cabochons and used in jewelry. These cabochons are often not calibrated to get the most out of the raw jade and get the highest yield.

Sometimes a single piece of raw jade is used to create an entire piece of jewelry. These are called hololiths and include bangles and rings. Jade hololith jewelry is often very expensive due to the waste of raw material during the cutting process.

A jade bangle made from a single piece of jade. See this here.

Jade is often used for decorative carvings. The Chinese also have various popular cuts and designs for jade that hold special meaning for them.

Selection of jade size and weight

Because jade is a very dense gemstone, it is much heavier than most other stones. For example, a jade stone the size of a diamond would be much heavier than the diamond. For this reason, jade (and most other colored gemstones) is measured in millimeters rather than carats.

Jade can be found in all sizes, although high quality jade is rare.

jade price and value

The price of jade has increased exponentially in recent years. Experts attribute this huge price increase to the economic boom in China over the past decade. With this prosperity, the demand for jade has exceeded supply, causing prices to skyrocket. In some cases the value of jade has surpassed that of gold.

Nephrite Jade is a beautiful yet affordable piece of jewelry. See more jade jewelry here.

With this in mind, the price of jade depends on its quality. Jadeite is more expensive while nephrite is a cheaper choice.

When selecting the highest quality jade, a small increase in size can dramatically increase the price of the stone. However, this is not the case with nephrite.

Often the price of jade can increase around the time of Chinese New Year and other similar Chinese festivals. It’s a good idea to refrain from buying at these times.

How durable is jade?

Jade is an incredibly tough stone, and that’s one of the reasons it’s prized so highly. It is generally able to withstand damage and does not break easily.

In fact, there’s a saying in the jewelry industry that if you hit a piece of jade with a hammer, it will ring like a bell! As we mentioned above, the interlocking pattern of the tiny grains as the stone forms is what gives it its outstanding toughness.

While it only ranks between 6 and 7 on the Mohs scale, jade is fairly scratch resistant and high quality jade makes excellent jewelry for everyday use.

Are there jade enhancements or treatments?

Most jade on the market undergoes many treatments to enhance its color. This can affect the stability of the stone and reduce its toughness.

There are three qualities to consider when choosing jade:

Type A – This type of jade is natural and has not undergone any artificial treatments. However, its shine can be enhanced by giving it a waxy coating. This does not affect the stone in any way. Type A jade is colored or fracture-filled and shows its true color.

Type B – This refers to jade that may have been bleached to remove pigmentation and coated or filled. When jade is bleached, it becomes porous and easier to break. To counteract this, polymer fillers are used to improve the stability of the jade. However, treatments can cause the stone to become unstable and reduce its toughness. Despite this, type B jade still has its natural, true color.

Type C – This refers to jade that has undergone many treatments such as bleaching, fracture filling and dyeing. Over time, Type C jade can fade in color from exposure to heat and the stone is often unstable.

When purchasing jade, make sure your jeweler provides you with this information. Needless to say, type A jade is the most expensive and also the most durable. It is perfect for engagement rings and other high quality jewelry.

Are there imitation jade on the market?

As jade is a highly sought after, rare and expensive gemstone, there are many imitations on the market. It is important to know if your jade is real or fake. The best way to do this is to have the stone examined by a certified expert.

However, there are some tests you can do to verify that your stone is real:

The Scratch Test – Scratch the stone with your fingernail. Check if it leaves marks. You can go one step further and use a sharp object like the end of a pair of scissors or a nail. Scratch the jade gently and see if there is a scratch. If so, it’s probably not real jade. With this test, be careful not to scratch a part of the stone that isn’t generally visible. Be careful when doing this test as you may damage your jade.

The Temperature Test – Real jade does not heat up quickly. Hold your stone in your hand and see if it heats up quickly. It should feel cold, heavy, and smooth in your hand.

Density Check – Both jadeite and nephrite have high densities, meaning jade is heavier than most other stones. One way to check the density is to throw the rock in the air and catch it. feel its weight. Does it feel heavier than another stone of a similar size? If it’s suspiciously light, it’s likely the stone isn’t real.

jade in jewellery

Jade can be used to create unique designs that are impossible to create with other types of gemstones. Jade’s vibrant color is full of vitality and full of personality. It brightens up any wardrobe and adds a touch of color to neutral tones.

Small stud earrings, dainty pendants and tasteful rings can complement any casual or workwear outfit perfectly.

Unique Carved Jade Earrings. See them here.

Statement jade ring in yellow gold. See it here.

For a more elegant look, jade cocktail rings, stylish earrings and statement pendants can be stunning and eye-catching. The secret is to match the color with your outfit for the best look.

Statement necklace made of nephrite jade. Image taken from Pinterest.

Should I buy a jade engagement ring?

If you want a non-traditional engagement ring, jade can be a good gemstone choice for you. A jade engagement ring has a classic vintage look. This clay’s vibrant green color and lustrous oily polish are unique and eye-catching.

Jade looks beautiful in any colored setting. Setting the jade in silver or white gold settings gives the piece a modern look. Pair them with diamonds for the perfect balance of brilliance and colour. The contrast of green and white creates a stunning and edgy look.

Jade Engagement Ring on Etsy. See it here.

For a more classic look, choose a rose or yellow gold setting. The color theory behind this is that green and yellow form an analogous color combination that creates a relaxing and instantly likeable impression.

However, it is important to choose your jade carefully. Choose a type A stone as it is the most durable and stable. This is resistant to the inevitable damage that comes with daily wear and tear and will last a long time.

While jade is a durable stone, note that it’s not as ideal for rough exposure as harder gems like diamonds, sapphires, and rubies. There is always a chance that the jade ring will be damaged. In general, when it comes to engagement rings, it’s best to stick to harder gemstones.

Taking care of Jade

As we have already discussed, jade is extremely strong and quite durable. However, to keep it shiny and lustrous, it is important to clean your jade regularly.

Use soap and warm water with a soft brush to wash the stone. After washing, make sure the soap is rinsed off and the stone is thoroughly dried. It is not recommended to use ultrasonic cleaners or steam cleaners as they can damage the gemstone.

When storing the jade, wrap it in a cloth or jewelry box. This will make it free from dust and scratches from other items.

Keep jade away from chemicals such as harsh detergents, bleach and cosmetics. It is always best to remove jade jewelry when handling chemicals or engaging in outdoor/physical activities.

The symbolism and meaning of jade

Jade has been prized by civilizations around the world since ancient times. The ancient Mayans and Aztecs believed that jade could relieve pain, especially in the side of the body.

In China, jade is considered a symbol of prosperity, wealth, purity and beauty. The Chinese also believe that jade possesses healing properties and can protect the wearer from disease by absorbing negative energy.

Jade symbolizes love, healing and courage. It is believed to enhance wisdom and promote balance. Jade is also believed to promote peace and harmony.

*Disclaimer: The Jewelry Buyer’s Guide does not guarantee or validate any claims regarding the metaphysical and alternative healing powers of this or any other gemstone. This information should in no way be used as a substitute for medical advice.

Where and how can I buy jade?

When buying jade, keep the following tips in mind:

It is important that you buy from a licensed vendor, especially if you are purchasing an expensive item.

Make sure you know if the stone is nephrite or jadeite and what treatments and enhancements it has undergone, if any.

If you are purchasing an expensive piece of jadeite, request a certificate of authenticity. This should reveal the authenticity of the stone and the grade identified.

We recommend looking at:

Jade is difficult to understand and values ​​vary widely – from $3 to thousands per carat. For years we have not been able to master this multifaceted jewel with so many uses, definitions and colors.

We were determined to understand it better and 10 years ago we started learning it the only way we know how. We just bought every bit of jade we could find. Katrina had her education base and I had my pedestrian research. If we paid $100 for a piece and sold it for $1 more, we considered it a win. The same applies to more important pieces. If we lost money on an item, we put it on the tuition.

We bought decorative items, tourist items, utensils, pins, necklaces, bowls, scepters, plaques, ruyis. We bought jade, jadeite, nephrite, Mexican jade. We bought gold filled, 14k, 18k and platinum, signed and unsigned. We sent pieces to GIA, BEAR Williams, AGL and PGS labs.

As our knowledge grew, we bought more expensive items. We bought a BIG collection from a savvy retiree who bought unsold items at Sotheby’s & Christie’s for a song in the 70’s – all under $500. Thirty-one objects – bowls, cups and decorative objects, all with provenance. A huge purchase.

All of it sold. Yes, on some tracks we lost a hundred or two; but most brought a reasonable profit. One was the Ming Dynasty – but not a great Ming (not everything from that period is valuable), and we still did well. A cracked piece from a later dynasty (but an incredible rust color) sold the most.

The mystery of jade is best illustrated by this story: We bought a tiny 2″ x 1″ rectangle for next to nothing at a real estate sale. It looked like a misshapen bar of soap with a tiny red dot in the middle. It sat around for months, so Katrina put it up at Hess Fine auctions through LiveAuctioneers as the “Mutton Fat Jade Bar or Decoration Object”. No reserve. The auction ran without bids for weeks before the actual auction date. Then an email from China. “I’m offering you $2,500!” (Still no real bids; highest was $15.) I wrote back, “Why no, we would NEVER consider that low price.” (We were secretly stunned.) He texted back, “$5,000?” “No,” we said.

Action had to be taken. We called Mason Kay, a big expert in the US, and sent them a photo. They said it was decorative, or perhaps part of a belt or a Chinese netsuke; They weren’t interested. We called up one of the web’s most in-demand jade experts. “Looks like mutton fat, $500 max.” Another Asian bidder emailed, “Would you take $5,000?” Hmm…no. We swindled, “We’ve already turned down $8,000.” “Do you want to take $9,000?” Of course we said no!

So we called in the big guns. We asked a friend at Sotheby’s to put us in touch with his Chinese jade expert. She looked at our extensive photos and diplomatically said it was garbage and worth less than $1,000. They weren’t interested.

Our ignorance was understandable, but the top two jade experts in the US and Sotheby’s were baffled.

We sent notes to the bidders saying we would take $10,000 from the first to say “sold,” with the caveat that they had to tell us what it was. Both said sold. The first guy won and transferred money within three hours! He told us it was a belt sash with a royal seal (the red dot) from a very short dynasty – the Qin dynasty. Dating from that period, with said seal and pure white “soap” colour, mutton fat jade…this was probably a national treasure. Was he right or was he a speculator?

We do not know it. But neither does Sotheby’s.

Pictured: Mexican jade cuff bracelet, value $150. Platinum jadeite brooch valued at $1,500.

If you are a jeweler, dealer, collector or private individual, we buy from $1,000 to $1 million in fine natural gemstones.

Please send any comments, questions or suggestions regarding this section to [email protected]. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

JEFF HESS, Owner & Appraiser

When people think of jade, they usually think of China because China has remained a historically important producer of jade and remains an important facet of China’s economy. Jade is actually more important in China than other areas, although historically outside of Imperial China it was used for ornaments, tools, and weapons unearthed in areas such as Australia, North America, South America, and Europe. Because the stone is so hard, it is often incorporated into tools and weapons. Because of its beauty, it is also found in large part in historical artifacts of religious significance and ornaments of the ruling classes. Interestingly, ancient cultures with artifacts containing jade used them all independently as an important stone, neither having contact with or trading with the other.

1. Which gemstone family does jade belong to?

Jade is a gemstone that was originally made into weapons and tools due to its strength, but the gemstone has also historically found its way into ornaments and talismans thanks to the gemstone’s luster and vibrant color. While many people associate jade gemstones with a rich green color, the naturally occurring material is found in lavender, orange, blue, black, yellow, red, and white.

Although there are many jade objects on the market, they fall into one of two categories derived from different minerals:

jadeite

nephrite

It can be difficult to distinguish between jadeite and nephrite, which is why it is so common to use the term jade to encompass both gemstones. The real difference lies in the mineral composition. Jadeite is primarily made from pyroxene, which is rich in aluminum. Nephrite is an amphibole rich in magnesium. Apart from this difference, they look very similar in appearance.

Jadeite Nephrite Chemistry Pyroxene Amphibole Color Varying shades of white to dark green, sometimes including purple, pink, red, yellow, orange, blue and black Colors between white, cream and dark green Luster Glassy to sucrose with impurities Glassy to silky Translucent to opaque, very rare semi-transparent Translucent to opaque, very rarely semi-transparent Use Jade jewelry, ornaments, tools, weapons, gems Jade jewelry, ornaments, tools, weapons, gems

Master craftsmen from China worked with jade, which at the time came from Burma, and this jade is known to be harder, denser and produce a higher luster after polishing. It is this jade that has become the preferred material among artisans and the most prized among buyers.

Today, commercial jadeite objects are classified into three types based on the treatment they were subjected to during the manufacturing process. Finding ways to enhance the appearance of jade objects through a variety of treatments that enhance stability, color and luster has been a common practice for thousands of years. Some of these include injecting polymers, adding dye, bleach, acid, or applying heat.

Type A jadeite

Type A Jadeite are items that have been treated with a wax coating during manufacture. This is the most common and traditional treatment. In most cases, this does not affect the value.

It involves makers boiling the finished jadeite objects in their final form in water, then cleaning them so they can be dried and dipped in molten wax. The purpose of the melted wax is to fill in tiny cracks or pores on the surface. Excess wax outside of these fractured areas is removed and the entire item is polished to a higher shine. This virtually smoothes out any imperfections, giving the object’s surface a completely smooth finish.

Type B Jadeite

Type B Jadeite are items that have been bleached with hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid during manufacture. The acid will remove any oxidation stains on the surface and remove excess sodium, which normally lightens the color. Thereafter, the item is pressurized with wax or resin to do the same thing as the Type A jadeite manufacturing processes, namely to fill any cracks or pores on the surface and give the final product a smoother appearance.

The only downside to making Type B jadeite is that these objects can deteriorate within a few years. The acid treatment makes them particularly brittle and the polymer resins can discolour under extreme sunlight or heat.

Type C jadeite

Type C jadeite are items that have undergone the same treatments as type B during manufacture, but have also been dyed a specific color. The dye used to create Type C will fade over time and with exposure to extreme light and heat.

2. What is jade made of?

Jade consists of certain minerals. Jadeite is a mineral formed through the process of metamorphism associated with metamorphic rocks. There are places around the world where jadeite deposits occur naturally, usually along the geological locations where tectonic plates meet. Most jadeite is found in rocks with high pressure that forces the jadeite deposits to separate.

3. What are the different types of jade? Where are they sourced from? How are they obtained?

Historically, the search for jade, the process of finding and retrieving, was conducted in steeper areas of catchment areas, usually in locations where boulders were found in river valleys, ranging in size from small pebbles to large boulders. The pebbles in the boulders that contain jade usually have brown weathering rinds on the outside that hide the beauty inside.

When searching for these chunks of jade, small windows are usually cut in the rock to determine the quality of the material inside. A look inside decides whether it is worth transporting the stone from its location in order to refine it somewhere else.

Depending on its size, it was very difficult to transport without damage. Previously, human and animal labor were the only ways to move large boulders, which is why it was so important to cut into the rock on site before moving the boulder, just to make sure the investment was worth it.

However, nowadays this is the case in some areas where the equipment one could use simply isn’t able to get to the spot where the rocks are found. In some cases, however, basket and sling helicopters can fly into otherwise hard-to-reach areas and lower the sling on a cable to the ground, where workers can prepare the boulders, move them in place, and secure them at that time the helicopter can fly out of the pool. This is not often used for smaller rocks, but for oversized boulders that cannot be lifted and carried by hand. Because the helicopters used for this process are very expensive, the rock must be a sound investment and in cases like this a single large boulder can be worth thousands of dollars and its rough shape makes the investment worthwhile.

In other cases, jade can be mined from the hard rock deposits left behind in various areas. In an area where large boulders of jade are found, it can also leave traces of jade in the rock deposit, usually in old subduction zones now exposed thanks to the weather. Geographically, most jade is found at the edge of the Pacific Ocean where this subduction occurred, hence most jade is found in New Zealand, East Asia, the United States, Canada, Central America and South America.

4. How to recognize real jade? Is there a way for the average person to recognize features in real jade?

Jade has many imitations. There are dozens of stones such as serpentine, calcite, quartz and prehnite, all of which can look very similar to jade. A trained eye should be able to discern jade’s distinctive luster not found in less valuable items such as quartz or serpentine. Quartz and serpentine also don’t have the hardness of jade, so if you look at intricate carvings that may have additional stress fractures, you might find that several pieces had to be glued together because the material is so fragile. This is not the case with Jade products.

When purchasing jade jewelry, if there is no information about where it came from or the information does not tell you that it is from the rim of the Pacific Ocean, you may not want to invest in it. Likewise, if no information is available on the type found, the investment may not be worthwhile.

Jade buyers must evaluate the color, transparency, and texture of the jade jewelry they are examining. Color must be examined under fluorescent and incandescent light sources. The level of transparency should be assessed. An even coloring throughout the stone, or at least a pleasing color collection for your eye, is equally important. In addition, the surface should be finely polished and undistorted. Breaks in texture can affect value.

While the finest quality is Imperial Jade, vibrant emerald green in colour, remember that there are a number of jade gemstones out there in attractive colors ranging from lavender to brown and red to orange and yellow. So don’t be put off if you notice jade jewelry that is a light purple color or a rich ruby ​​red color.

Transparency ranges from a semi-transparent gem to a fully opaque gem. The most desirable jadeite is semi-transparent. But because light penetrates below the surface, the semi-transparency brings with it a brilliance, a sort of shine that enhances the color of the stone. The opaque or slightly opaque jadeite stones have cloudy spots that break up this transparency.

Good jadeite should have a smooth, even texture and as you look at it you should see the interlocking crystals of the stone itself, a crystal structure befitting the gemstone’s exceptional toughness.

5. What is the most expensive type of jade and why?

The price of high-quality jadeite has increased significantly in recent years, according to the Gemological Institute of America. From an economic point of view, an increase in middle and upper class Chinese households has increased the value and price of high-quality jadeite, as it is one of the most culturally and spiritually important stones in this particular area.

Since the original discovery of Burmese jade, the Chinese have revered the green color, translucent, slender design of high quality jadeite. Even today, color, transparency, and texture play a large role in determining value and which jade jewelry is most expensive.

The most expensive type of jade is type A. Besides the type, one must also consider whether it is jadeite or nephrite and where it was found. Imperial jade from Burma is the most expensive type of jade. It is the most expensive because it is the highest quality, the most desirable color and to date the most valuable source of jadeite anywhere in the world.

As mentioned earlier, there are three types of jade and these three classifications are based on the manufacturing process. When dealing with jewelry, it is important that the jade jewelry you are considering is marketed with the Type, Type A, Type B, or Type C so that you know how it was made. There is nothing inherently wrong with inferior Type C or Type B products, but it is important to know if you have one of these so you can avoid excessive heat or sun exposure and store the jade jewelry properly.

6. Where does the most expensive jade come from?

Jadeite from Burma is the most expensive jade you can find. This quality jadeite is almost transparent but with a vivid emerald green colour. It is this gem that is colloquially referred to as Imperial Jade. Historically, the Royal Court of China had a standing order for all of this available material and today it remains one of the most expensive gemstones in the world.

7. Can jade cost more than a few diamonds? If yes why?

Jade can cost more than diamonds in certain areas if it is of a higher quality, like Burmese jade. Burmese jade remains one of the highest quality variations of this gemstone, known for its firmer, denser, and shinier luster. Burmese jade was historically the most important and sought after in China and remains one of the most sought after varieties today. In places where jade is of particular importance, gems of this quality can cost more than diamonds.

8. What are the uses and beliefs of jade?

Jade is a highly colorful and durable material that can be easily fashioned into multiple shapes and polished to a much higher luster than other gemstones, which is why jade jewelry is so popular, including its use in jade pendants, jade necklaces, jade bracelets, jade rings, and jade -earrings. These jade jewelry are usually made from a solid gemstone mixed with other precious metals, diamonds, silver and gold.

Jade is also used to make small sculptures, religious artwork, and ornaments in addition to regular jade jewelry you see in stores. In places like Europe and the United States, emeralds, sapphires, diamonds and rubies are just a few gems that are still more popular than jade. But in other regions of the world like China, jade is one of the most valuable gemstones.

Jade has been the most popular gemstone in China for thousands of years. Chinese emperors waged wars and traded with distant peoples to acquire the best specimens. They remain a very important material for religious art and are used in gifts for birthdays, weddings and anniversaries.

Historically carved jade pendants were worn just as we wear jade jewelry today, except they were intended as protective talismans. Masks made of jade and incense burners carved from jade have been found in connection with religious ceremonies stretching from ancient China to Mesoamerica.

Throughout history, people have attributed healing things to jade, from nightmares to kidney stones.

Jade brings with it the energy of prosperity, new beginnings and health. The jade stone is often seen as a representation of purity or purification. It is also a stone that offers protection and supports vitality, abundance and heart energy. Another meaning for jade is that of softness, harmony and balance.

9. How is jade used in jewelry?

Today, jade jewelry brings with it a mix of modern designs with antique jewelry designs. Traditional jade bangles remain a staple of jade jewelry making and often contain other beads or materials such as gold. Chinese jade jewelry represents a rich cultural heritage and typically contains nephrite and jadeite.

Once a jade chunk or rock is found, it is considered raw jade. Raw jade has not yet been manufactured or subjected to any manufacturing process. It was also not made into jewelry such as a jade bracelet or jade rings.

The larger stones that are extracted from mines around the world usually have the opaque outer layer and that little window through which the inside is verified. Jewelry makers see the high quality jadeite through this window and then must negotiate based on what they see. Once the stone has left the market, it takes someone with years of experience to use the right tools to carve the stone. When the stone is higher grade jadeite, the carvings are usually simple. The jade jewelry that you get with higher quality jadeite will be just as simple. The reason for this is that a high quality stone deserves to be preserved as best as possible, to preserve the body of the stone and to let the stone speak for itself. More complicated carving techniques can take advantage of different tints, particularly with jade, which is not the emerald color but may have a variety of colors in one stone.

Depending on what the end product will be, cabochons can be cut from the material, effectively round stones, which can then be set into jewelry such as jade rings, jade necklace pendants, jade bracelets, or other materials. China is the leading polishing center for jadeite, which usually comes from grinding factories in Myanmar. Many cutters in Myanmar still polish jadeite using a hollow bamboo lathe treated with a mixture of water and sand. Jade jewelry makers can carve hololites, which are cut from a single piece of raw jade into a pendant, bangle, or jade ring. But cabochons are used for rings and other jade jewelry. When buying cabochons, you should look at the proportions, thickness and symmetry of the jade. When you buy jade bracelets or jade necklaces made from round jade beads, you want to look for appropriate transparency, size and symmetrical cuts. All of this is used to make higher quality jade jewelry.

The main difference between jade and jadeite is the quality. Jade has two grades as nephrite and jadeite. Jadeite is considered high-quality jade and is rarer and more expensive than nephrite.

Jade is a hard, mostly green, gemstone used for ornaments and jewelry. It is one of the oldest known gemstones and has a history dating back almost seven thousand years. It was used in East and Southeast Asia, especially China. Jade was the most precious gemstone in ancient China and served as a symbol of purity and moral integrity.

Key areas covered

1. What is jade

– Definition, varieties, properties

2. What is jadeite?

– Definition, varieties, properties

3. What is the difference between jade and jadeite?

– Comparison of the main differences

key terms

Precious stones, jade, jadeite, nephrite

what is jade

The very first thing you need to know about jade is that we use the name “jade” to refer to two different gemstones. In other words, jade is a generic name that refers to two gems. One of these gems is jadeite and the other is nephrite. Both jadeite and nephrite are metamorphic rocks that are extremely tough. However, these have different mineral compositions. Gemologists discovered the existence of two types of jade in 1863.

nephrite

Nephrite consists of magnesium, calcium and the iron-rich amphibole minerals tremolite or actinolite. Its color can be dark to light green; Occasionally we also find colors such as yellow, brown, gray and white. The colors of nephrite are more muted than jadeite. However, nephrite is also accepted as jade in the international gem market. They are more common than jadeite and less valuable. Nephrite is used to make beads, ornamental stones in carvings, and cabochon-cut gemstones. In addition, nephrite can occur in extremely large sizes. Therefore, large sculptures are commonly made from nephrite.

Another interesting fact about jade is that Myanmar is currently the largest exporter of jade. However, the best jade carvers usually come from China.

What is jadeite

A pyroxene mineral, jadeite is a high quality jade suitable for use in jewelry. Compared to nephrite, jadeite is more translucent and has greater hardness. It’s also rarer and more expensive. Myanmar is the source of almost 90% of the jadeite in the world market. There are also jadeite deposits in other countries including the US, Canada, Russia and Japan.

Jadeite comes in a variety of colors – various shades of green, red-orange, yellow, white, grey, black, brown and lavender. Green jadeite is the most valuable form. Among these green jadeites, imperial jade is the most valuable and rarest. Its color and transparency rival emeralds, although imperial jade has a slightly yellower hue than emerald. Other valuable green jadeite varieties include apple jade (a deep yellowish-green hue), kingfisher jade (slightly less intense than imperial jade), and moss-in-the-snow jade (translucent white with light green veins or flecks). The second most important color is lavender.

Difference between jade and jadeite

definition

Jade is a hard, usually green, gemstone that has two varieties as jadeite and nephrite. Jadeite is the rarer, more expensive form of jade with high quality.

composition

Nephrite is a magnesium-rich amphibole while jadeite is an aluminum-rich pyroxene.

Colours

Nephrite comes in various shades of green, yellow, white, black and grey, while jadeite has a wider range of colors – various shades of green, red-orange, yellow, white, grey, black, brown and lavender. In addition, the colors of nephrite are more subdued than those of jadeite.

hardness

Jadeite has greater hardness than nephrite; Nephrite is between 6 and 6.5 on the Mohs scale and jadeite is between 6.5 and 7.

rarity and prices

Jadeite is rarer than nephrite and more expensive.

Conclusion

In summary, jade is a hard, usually green, gemstone that has two varieties as jadeite and nephrite. Jadeite is considered high-quality jade and is rarer and more expensive than nephrite. In addition, jadeite has greater hardness and a wider range of colors than nephrite. So this is the difference between jade and jadeite.

Relation:

1. “What is Jade?” Geology, Available here.

2. “Jade, Jadeite, and Nephrite.” AJS Gems, Available here.

Image courtesy:

1. “Ferro-actinolite-tremolite series (Variety Nephrite)-275493” By Kelly Nash – (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

2. “翡翠cuizhulin jadeite” By Vivian.liang8888 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

Monterey Jade

Monterey Jade is an extremely hard stone, ranging in color from deep green to turquoise, silvered green to black. This jade is found underwater on the sea floor in or near Big Sur, California.

When people think of jade, they usually think of China because China has remained a historically important producer of jade and remains an important facet of China’s economy. Jade is actually more important in China than other areas, although historically outside of Imperial China it was used for ornaments, tools, and weapons unearthed in areas such as Australia, North America, South America, and Europe. Because the stone is so hard, it is often incorporated into tools and weapons. Because of its beauty, it is also found in large part in historical artifacts of religious significance and ornaments of the ruling classes. Interestingly, ancient cultures with artifacts containing jade used them all independently as an important stone, neither having contact with or trading with the other.

1. Which gemstone family does jade belong to?

Jade is a gemstone that was originally made into weapons and tools due to its strength, but the gemstone has also historically found its way into ornaments and talismans thanks to the gemstone’s luster and vibrant color. While many people associate jade gemstones with a rich green color, the naturally occurring material is found in lavender, orange, blue, black, yellow, red, and white.

Although there are many jade objects on the market, they fall into one of two categories derived from different minerals:

jadeite

nephrite

It can be difficult to distinguish between jadeite and nephrite, which is why it is so common to use the term jade to encompass both gemstones. The real difference lies in the mineral composition. Jadeite is primarily made from pyroxene, which is rich in aluminum. Nephrite is an amphibole rich in magnesium. Apart from this difference, they look very similar in appearance.

Jadeite Nephrite Chemistry Pyroxene Amphibole Color Varying shades of white to dark green, sometimes including purple, pink, red, yellow, orange, blue and black Colors between white, cream and dark green Luster Glassy to sucrose with impurities Glassy to silky Translucent to opaque, very rare semi-transparent Translucent to opaque, very rarely semi-transparent Use Jade jewelry, ornaments, tools, weapons, gems Jade jewelry, ornaments, tools, weapons, gems

Master craftsmen from China worked with jade, which at the time came from Burma, and this jade is known to be harder, denser and produce a higher luster after polishing. It is this jade that has become the preferred material among artisans and the most prized among buyers.

Today, commercial jadeite objects are classified into three types based on the treatment they were subjected to during the manufacturing process. Finding ways to enhance the appearance of jade objects through a variety of treatments that enhance stability, color and luster has been a common practice for thousands of years. Some of these include injecting polymers, adding dye, bleach, acid, or applying heat.

Type A jadeite

Type A Jadeite are items that have been treated with a wax coating during manufacture. This is the most common and traditional treatment. In most cases, this does not affect the value.

It involves makers boiling the finished jadeite objects in their final form in water, then cleaning them so they can be dried and dipped in molten wax. The purpose of the melted wax is to fill in tiny cracks or pores on the surface. Excess wax outside of these fractured areas is removed and the entire item is polished to a higher shine. This virtually smoothes out any imperfections, giving the object’s surface a completely smooth finish.

Type B Jadeite

Type B Jadeite are items that have been bleached with hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid during manufacture. The acid will remove any oxidation stains on the surface and remove excess sodium, which normally lightens the color. Thereafter, the item is pressurized with wax or resin to do the same thing as the Type A jadeite manufacturing processes, namely to fill any cracks or pores on the surface and give the final product a smoother appearance.

The only downside to making Type B jadeite is that these objects can deteriorate within a few years. The acid treatment makes them particularly brittle and the polymer resins can discolour under extreme sunlight or heat.

Type C jadeite

Type C jadeite are items that have undergone the same treatments as type B during manufacture, but have also been dyed a specific color. The dye used to create Type C will fade over time and with exposure to extreme light and heat.

2. What is jade made of?

Jade consists of certain minerals. Jadeite is a mineral formed through the process of metamorphism associated with metamorphic rocks. There are places around the world where jadeite deposits occur naturally, usually along the geological locations where tectonic plates meet. Most jadeite is found in rocks with high pressure that forces the jadeite deposits to separate.

3. What are the different types of jade? Where are they sourced from? How are they obtained?

Historically, the search for jade, the process of finding and retrieving, was conducted in steeper areas of catchment areas, usually in locations where boulders were found in river valleys, ranging in size from small pebbles to large boulders. The pebbles in the boulders that contain jade usually have brown weathering rinds on the outside that hide the beauty inside.

When searching for these chunks of jade, small windows are usually cut in the rock to determine the quality of the material inside. A look inside decides whether it is worth transporting the stone from its location in order to refine it somewhere else.

Depending on its size, it was very difficult to transport without damage. Previously, human and animal labor were the only ways to move large boulders, which is why it was so important to cut into the rock on site before moving the boulder, just to make sure the investment was worth it.

However, nowadays this is the case in some areas where the equipment one could use simply isn’t able to get to the spot where the rocks are found. In some cases, however, basket and sling helicopters can fly into otherwise hard-to-reach areas and lower the sling on a cable to the ground, where workers can prepare the boulders, move them in place, and secure them at that time the helicopter can fly out of the pool. This is not often used for smaller rocks, but for oversized boulders that cannot be lifted and carried by hand. Because the helicopters used for this process are very expensive, the rock must be a sound investment and in cases like this a single large boulder can be worth thousands of dollars and its rough shape makes the investment worthwhile.

In other cases, jade can be mined from the hard rock deposits left behind in various areas. In an area where large boulders of jade are found, it can also leave traces of jade in the rock deposit, usually in old subduction zones now exposed thanks to the weather. Geographically, most jade is found at the edge of the Pacific Ocean where this subduction occurred, hence most jade is found in New Zealand, East Asia, the United States, Canada, Central America and South America.

4. How to recognize real jade? Is there a way for the average person to recognize features in real jade?

Jade has many imitations. There are dozens of stones such as serpentine, calcite, quartz and prehnite, all of which can look very similar to jade. A trained eye should be able to discern jade’s distinctive luster not found in less valuable items such as quartz or serpentine. Quartz and serpentine also don’t have the hardness of jade, so if you look at intricate carvings that may have additional stress fractures, you might find that several pieces had to be glued together because the material is so fragile. This is not the case with Jade products.

When purchasing jade jewelry, if there is no information about where it came from or the information does not tell you that it is from the rim of the Pacific Ocean, you may not want to invest in it. Likewise, if no information is available on the type found, the investment may not be worthwhile.

Jade buyers must evaluate the color, transparency, and texture of the jade jewelry they are examining. Color must be examined under fluorescent and incandescent light sources. The level of transparency should be assessed. An even coloring throughout the stone, or at least a pleasing color collection for your eye, is equally important. In addition, the surface should be finely polished and undistorted. Breaks in texture can affect value.

While the finest quality is Imperial Jade, vibrant emerald green in colour, remember that there are a number of jade gemstones out there in attractive colors ranging from lavender to brown and red to orange and yellow. So don’t be put off if you notice jade jewelry that is a light purple color or a rich ruby ​​red color.

Transparency ranges from a semi-transparent gem to a fully opaque gem. The most desirable jadeite is semi-transparent. But because light penetrates below the surface, the semi-transparency brings with it a brilliance, a sort of shine that enhances the color of the stone. The opaque or slightly opaque jadeite stones have cloudy spots that break up this transparency.

Good jadeite should have a smooth, even texture and as you look at it you should see the interlocking crystals of the stone itself, a crystal structure befitting the gemstone’s exceptional toughness.

5. What is the most expensive type of jade and why?

The price of high-quality jadeite has increased significantly in recent years, according to the Gemological Institute of America. From an economic point of view, an increase in middle and upper class Chinese households has increased the value and price of high-quality jadeite, as it is one of the most culturally and spiritually important stones in this particular area.

Since the original discovery of Burmese jade, the Chinese have revered the green color, translucent, slender design of high quality jadeite. Even today, color, transparency, and texture play a large role in determining value and which jade jewelry is most expensive.

The most expensive type of jade is type A. Besides the type, one must also consider whether it is jadeite or nephrite and where it was found. Imperial jade from Burma is the most expensive type of jade. It is the most expensive because it is the highest quality, the most desirable color and to date the most valuable source of jadeite anywhere in the world.

As mentioned earlier, there are three types of jade and these three classifications are based on the manufacturing process. When dealing with jewelry, it is important that the jade jewelry you are considering is marketed with the Type, Type A, Type B, or Type C so that you know how it was made. There is nothing inherently wrong with inferior Type C or Type B products, but it is important to know if you have one of these so you can avoid excessive heat or sun exposure and store the jade jewelry properly.

6. Where does the most expensive jade come from?

Jadeite from Burma is the most expensive jade you can find. This quality jadeite is almost transparent but with a vivid emerald green colour. It is this gem that is colloquially referred to as Imperial Jade. Historically, the Royal Court of China had a standing order for all of this available material and today it remains one of the most expensive gemstones in the world.

7. Can jade cost more than a few diamonds? If yes why?

Jade can cost more than diamonds in certain areas if it is of a higher quality, like Burmese jade. Burmese jade remains one of the highest quality variations of this gemstone, known for its firmer, denser, and shinier luster. Burmese jade was historically the most important and sought after in China and remains one of the most sought after varieties today. In places where jade is of particular importance, gems of this quality can cost more than diamonds.

8. What are the uses and beliefs of jade?

Jade is a highly colorful and durable material that can be easily fashioned into multiple shapes and polished to a much higher luster than other gemstones, which is why jade jewelry is so popular, including its use in jade pendants, jade necklaces, jade bracelets, jade rings, and jade -earrings. These jade jewelry are usually made from a solid gemstone mixed with other precious metals, diamonds, silver and gold.

Jade is also used to make small sculptures, religious artwork, and ornaments in addition to regular jade jewelry you see in stores. In places like Europe and the United States, emeralds, sapphires, diamonds and rubies are just a few gems that are still more popular than jade. But in other regions of the world like China, jade is one of the most valuable gemstones.

Jade has been the most popular gemstone in China for thousands of years. Chinese emperors waged wars and traded with distant peoples to acquire the best specimens. They remain a very important material for religious art and are used in gifts for birthdays, weddings and anniversaries.

Historically carved jade pendants were worn just as we wear jade jewelry today, except they were intended as protective talismans. Masks made of jade and incense burners carved from jade have been found in connection with religious ceremonies stretching from ancient China to Mesoamerica.

Throughout history, people have attributed healing things to jade, from nightmares to kidney stones.

Jade brings with it the energy of prosperity, new beginnings and health. The jade stone is often seen as a representation of purity or purification. It is also a stone that offers protection and supports vitality, abundance and heart energy. Another meaning for jade is that of softness, harmony and balance.

9. How is jade used in jewelry?

Today, jade jewelry brings with it a mix of modern designs with antique jewelry designs. Traditional jade bangles remain a staple of jade jewelry making and often contain other beads or materials such as gold. Chinese jade jewelry represents a rich cultural heritage and typically contains nephrite and jadeite.

Once a jade chunk or rock is found, it is considered raw jade. Raw jade has not yet been manufactured or subjected to any manufacturing process. It was also not made into jewelry such as a jade bracelet or jade rings.

The larger stones that are extracted from mines around the world usually have the opaque outer layer and that little window through which the inside is verified. Jewelry makers see the high quality jadeite through this window and then must negotiate based on what they see. Once the stone has left the market, it takes someone with years of experience to use the right tools to carve the stone. When the stone is higher grade jadeite, the carvings are usually simple. The jade jewelry that you get with higher quality jadeite will be just as simple. The reason for this is that a high quality stone deserves to be preserved as best as possible, to preserve the body of the stone and to let the stone speak for itself. More complicated carving techniques can take advantage of different tints, particularly with jade, which is not the emerald color but may have a variety of colors in one stone.

Depending on what the end product will be, cabochons can be cut from the material, effectively round stones, which can then be set into jewelry such as jade rings, jade necklace pendants, jade bracelets, or other materials. China is the leading polishing center for jadeite, which usually comes from grinding factories in Myanmar. Many cutters in Myanmar still polish jadeite using a hollow bamboo lathe treated with a mixture of water and sand. Jade jewelry makers can carve hololites, which are cut from a single piece of raw jade into a pendant, bangle, or jade ring. But cabochons are used for rings and other jade jewelry. When buying cabochons, you should look at the proportions, thickness and symmetry of the jade. When you buy jade bracelets or jade necklaces made from round jade beads, you want to look for appropriate transparency, size and symmetrical cuts. All of this is used to make higher quality jade jewelry.

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The privileged position that jade holds in the art market makes it quite desirable. However, for some it also offers the opportunity to circulate fake or hard stones that resemble the real thing. For this reason, it is advisable to take some precautionary measures.

Of course, there are different types of jade – nephrite and jadeite. You can discover the differences between these two materials on the jade reviews page of our website.

Example nephrite

It should be noted that antique pieces are unique.

Example jadeite

The Origin of Jade

It is interesting to ask from which deposit the stone was extracted. The most important mines for high-quality nephrite jade are Myammar (formerly Burma), Guatemala, Mexico and Russia. Jade Jadeite comes primarily from Canada, but also from the United States, Australia, China and New Zealand.

The Hardness of Jade

Not only known for its spiritual virtues, jade is also valued for its hardness. This can be tested by scratching the surface with a knife, if the blade leaves no mark it’s jade. However, if a scratch appears, it indicates a softer stone such as serpentine or chrysolite. However, care must be taken not to damage the object, especially if it is a valuable item.

Jade is so hard that it cannot be worked by hand, so tools are needed to create a pattern. The earliest jade stones featured animals such as birds, and as techniques improved the patterns became more intricate.

Since jade is a cold stone, it takes time to warm up. When we hold it in our hands, it feels cold and smooth. It is recommended to have a piece of real jade nearby for comparison.

Piece of raw jade

Jade and its treatments

There are different qualities within jade, it is not uncommon for inferior quality jade to be treated to give it a more flattering appearance. The most common treatments are coloring, lightening and polymer injections. Jade holds an important place in Asian art and can be very expensive.

With the development of new techniques, plastic jade was born that is lighter and often designed with a heavier base to give the illusion of weight. The touch test quickly reveals that it is not real jade.

It is possible for jade to be accompanied by a certificate indicating the category that determines its quality:

– Jade Type A: It is natural and untreated.

– Type B Jade: It has been chemically diluted to remove certain impurities and polymer injections may have been made. It is still authentic and natural jade.

: It has been chemically diluted to remove certain impurities and polymer injections may have been made. It is still authentic and natural jade. – Jade Type C: The color has been chemically toned and lightened. Reaction to strong light may cause discoloration over time.

Our experts and auctioneers are at your disposal to value your jade sculptures and objects.

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