Six steps to Identifying Jade, Jadeite, or Jadite

It was in an antique store that a gentleman introduced me to understanding Jade.  The first thing I learned was the feel. If it’s cold even in a warm room or in the sun, it is usually jade.

Jade in Chinese, where it originated, is said, “Yu.”  Jade comes in many colors; the many nuances of green, white or pink, red, black, yellow, orange, browns and delicate violet tones. In America the most popular colors of Jade are Spinach green and apple green.  

            There is jade, jadeite/jadite or nephrite to distinguish between.  Jade with rare colors like white or pink, red, blacks, browns and violets are the most expensive.  Jadeite or jadite, which are the same items(for the purpose of these notes we will use jadeite.)  Jadeite is more precious than nephrite.

            Identifying jade;

            #1 Become familiar with real jade

            #2 Become familiar with imitations like; New Zealand greenstone, Serpentine (New Jade), Chrysoprase (Australian Jade), and others

            #3 Check the feel, Jade is very dense and it should feel heavier than it looks.  It should feel cold, smooth and somewhat soap like in your hand.

            #4 Hold it up to the light and/or inspect with a 10X loupe it should look fibrous or granular, felt-like, or asbestos-like inter-twining.  Look for intense color, texture, clarity and transparency.

            #5 Do a scratch test.  (Be cautious this can damage items.) Jade will scratch glass, metal and steel.

            #6 Tap stones together, if it sounds like a plastic bead, it is probably fake; if it makes a deeper more resonant sound it might be authentic.

We have items in our store that are Jade. We have an Oriental Jade Glass bookend for $126.50. There is also a Jadeite bracelet in subtle violet $5.00 and a refrigerator dish with lid for $72.50.

If you read my "Using the Five Senses" blog post, please note that understanding jade uses four of the five senses.  Being familiar with the genuine items is #1.  
Get out there and see if you can find some genuine Jade items! :)