JADE

GIA 6.13 ct. Type A translucent green jadeite jade ring in brushed platinum.
6.13 ct. translucent green jadeite jade ring in brushed platinum
Species:  Jadeite & Nephrite
Mohs Hardness:  6 to 6.5 out of 10
Color:  Semi-transparent to opaque.  Green, lavender, red, orange, yellow, brown, white, black, and gray.
RI:  1.666 to 1.680 (+/-0.008)
Birefringence:  Not detectable
SR/DR/AGG:  AGG
Routine Treatments:  Waxing
Additional Enhancements:  Bleaching, dyeing, polymer impregnation

Jade Facts

GIA certified 6.13 ct Type A natural untreated jadeite jade, 18K gold & 1.85 ctw diamond ring
Type A natural jadeite jade ring with diamond accents

There are two different types of jade:  jadeite and nephrite.

The finest jadeite is almost transparent with a vibrant emerald green color, known as "Imperial Jade", and can be extremely valuable.

Nephrite's colors tend to be more muted than jadeite's, and are often mottled or streaked.​

​Jade has deep cultural roots in Chinese culture and is often carved into symbolic figures such as Buddhas or pierced discs.  

Jade is tough, but not hard.  Jade is a relatively soft gem, making them great gems for carving.  However, jade is very tough (i.e. difficult to break) and was historically used as knives and axe heads.

Jade occurs naturally in the following colors:  green, lavender, red, orange, yellow, brown, white, black, and gray.

Nephrite rings when struck.  Nephrite was used as wind chimes at the imperial court in China.​

​Jade is the 12th wedding anniversary gemstone.

jadeite

Translucent, mottled green jadeite jade double cabochon in an antique, hand chased gold setting.
Type A jadeite jade ring from the Art Deco Era
Species:  Jadeite
​Color:  Semi-transparent to opaque.  Light to dark green, often mottled with root-like mottling.
RI:  1.666 to 1.680 (+/-0.008)
Birefringence:  Usually not detectable
Spectrum:  Generally a line at 437.5nm.  Jadeite colored by chromium might also show lines at 630, 655 & 691nm.
Fluorescence:  Light green stones inert to weak white under LW.  Generally inert to SW.
SG:  3.34 (+0.06 / -0.09)

nephrite

Cultured akoya pearl & nephrite jade double strand necklace with 18k gold and platinum filigree spider web pearl clasp set with diamonds
Nephrite jade bead and akoya pearl double strand necklace with extremely complex spiderweb filigree platinum, gold and diamond clasp
Species:  Nephrite
​Color:  Light to dark grayish green, possibly with lighter or darker mottling.
RI:  1.606 to 1.632 (+0.009 / -0.006)
Birefringence:  Usually not detectable
Spectrum:  Rarely shows absorption lines
Fluorescence:  Inert
SG:  2.95 (+0.15 / -0.05)

Jadeite Spectrum

untreated jadeite

Jadeite Spectrum
Photo courtesy of GIA.

dyed jadeite

Dyed Green Jadeite Spectrum
Photo courtesy of GIA

Jade Gallery


​All photos courtesy of Scott Papper, GG, ASA, CMA, RGA, AJP, CSMP, CSSP

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