JADEITE

6.13 ct. translucent green jadeite jade ring in brushed platinum

Species:  Jadeite
Mohs Hardness:  6.5 to 7 out of 10
Color:  Semi-transparent to opaque, light to dark green, possibly with lighter or darker mottling.  Jadeite occurs naturally in green, lavender, red, brown, white, and black.
RI:  1.666 to 1.680 (+/- 0.008) (1.66 spot reading common)
Birefringence:  Usually not detectable
SR/DR/AGG:  AGG
Fluorescence:  Varies depending on color.
SG:  3.34 (+0.06 / -0.09)
Routine Treatments:  Waxing
Additional Enhancements:  Bleaching, dyeing, polymer impregnation

SHOP JADE JEWELRY

Jadeite Facts

Type A lavender jadeite jade set in a heavy platinum and diamond setting

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

Jadeite is a wonderful gem that occurs naturally in 6 colors:  green, lavender, red, yellow, white & black.

The most valuable color of jadeite is known as imperial jade, which is a fine, emerald green color with a beautiful translucence.

Jade is a relatively soft gem, making it a great gem for carving.  Although soft, jade is a very tough gem (i.e. difficult to break).

​Jade has been appreciated in Chinese culture for thousands of years, and is often carved into symbolic figures such as Buddhas or pierced discs.  Jade was originally thought to be an object that possessed a spiritual connection but would later represent a symbol of status.

​Jade is the 12th wedding anniversary gemstone.

Jadeite often undergoes various levels of treatment, classified by "Type":

TYPE A:  Untreated jadeite (can be routinely waxed)

TYPE B:  Acid bleached, polymer-impregnated jadeite

TYPE C:  Dyed jadeite

TYPE B + C:  Acid bleached, dyed, and impregnated jadeite

Jadeite Spectrum

UNTREATED GREEN JADEITE

Photo courtesy of GIA

DYED GREEN JADEITE

Photo courtesy of GIA

Jadeite Gallery

​All photos courtesy of Scott Papper, GIA GG, AJP, CMA (NAJA)

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