Are there any tests you can do to tell if Jade is genuine or not?
I would like to buy my Dad a geuine Jade ornament for Christmas. There are lots of Jade items on the internet, but I don’t know how to tell if they are genuine or not. Any recommendations would be helpful.
Go to this link: http://www.firemountaingems.com/beading_howtos/pbstutorials.asp?docid=6525&WT.cg_s=Beads+Baubles+Jewels&sact=search
The name jade has been, and continues to be, applied to a variety of materials that superficially or closely resemble jade but are not composed of either jadeite or nephrite. F.T.C. regulations in this country deem such usage unlawful, yet the practice persists, either through ignorance or otherwise. Some of the problem can undoubtedly be traced to cultural and historical differences in word usage. In China, for example, the word jade has traditionally been applied not only to nephrite and jadeite jade, but to green serpentine and soapstone (talc) whose appearance closely resemble true jade. Common misnomers and the materials they represent are: “Korean” Jade for serpentine or gem serpentine (bowenite), “Indian” Jade for aventurine, “Mexican Jade” for green-dyed calcite, “Transvaal Jade” for green hydrogrossular garnet, “Amazon or Colorado Jade” for amazonite (blue-green or green) feldspar and “Oregon or Swiss Jade” for green chalcedony.
The most commonly used test is the scratching test. This is usually not done correctly. When nephrite jade is scratched very hard with steal it can leave a mark, especially softer termolite jades. The hard fine-grained jades will always past the test but often softer jades do not. You should not use a fine pointed steel object but rather a more rounded pointed instrument. Find an area at the base of the object (do not do this on faces or detail) and gently press down and scratch the surface with the point of a scissors. You do not have to “dig” into the object. If it is not nephrite it will usually leave a deep mark. If it is only a surface mark then it is a hard stone and probably nephrite jade. The true and accurate test for Nephrite is a density test that can be conducted by a mineralogist or a Jade expert. This test will at least allow you the satisfaction of knowing that it is a hard stone and not a cheap soapstone carving.
Jade occurs in many more colors. True jade can be either of two different minerals, jadeite or nephrite. Both variations of jade are tough stones that don’t break or chip easily. All jade typically has a medium to high polish. Jadeite is the more rare of the two jade variations, and the most expensive. Most of the world’s supply of fine jadeite comes from Burma, but deposits are found in Guatemala and a few other areas around the world.
* Jadeite occurs in many colors: greens, white, lavender, yellows and oranges, black, reds, and more.
* Evenly colored, translucent emerald green jadeite is called Imperial Jade.
* Jadeite ranks at about 7 on the Mohs scale, compared to 10 for a diamond, but don’t let that fool you–jade is a tough mineral that resists chipping and breaking.
Nephrite is the second variety of jade. It is more plentiful than jadeite–and less expensive. A traditional source of nephrite is the Xinjiang Province in China, which produced the jade used by Chinese artisans until Burmese jadeite began to be imported in the 1700′s. Nephrite deposits have been discovered all around the world, even in the United States.
* Nephrite jade is found in fewer colors than jadeite.
* Instead of a bright emerald green, nephrite greens are often grayish, mottled, or more subdued.
* Nephrite ranks at about 6.5 on the Mohs scale. Because it is softer than jadeite, finished pieces cannot be as highly polished.
* Watch for uniform color throughout, although multi-color pieces can be in high demand
* Intense colors of jade are desirable. Green is the most popular, so can be more expensive.
* Semi-transparent to translucent jade is more valuable than opaque jade.
* Avoid jade with many cracks or other visible flaws.
* Finely textured, highly polished jade cabochons or other uncarved pieces are considered the most desirable items for jewelry.
* Jade is very often dyed, but dyeing is not considered a permanent treatment.
* Heat treatments are used to lighten or intensify the color of jade.
* Most jade is waxed.
Detecting Fake Jade:
* Color-intensified nephrite is sometimes marketed as jadeite.
* Dishonest dealers alter and sell dyed quartz and other stones, labeling them jade.
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