Jade brings good fortune to the wearer. As each day continues, unimpeded by anxiety and confusion, our heart is filled with harmony and serenity; thus, bringing us a little closer to perfection.

[Baokha Jade] [About Jade]

This web page includes just a few of our many unique pieces of jade jewelry. A brief description of each item has been provided for your convenience. We hope that you will enjoy previewing our selection below. We have also provided an in depth article about jade and its characteristics.

Jade
by S. Thai Vo

The term jade encompasses two tough, compact, fine-grained materials: jadeite and nephrite. Although this article deals mainly with the jadeite jade used in fine jewelry, we must briefly discuss the differences from nephrite, which is the much more abundant jade.

In the popular mind,jade is almost exclusively identified with Chinese art. However, jadeite, known generally as Chinese jade, did not enter China until the eighteenth century A.D. Jadeite is found in Burma, not in China. The Chen Yu, the tough green jade material that ancient Chinese prized above all else, was probably nephrite. Together, jadeite and nephrite have more simulants than most other gems. With so many materials touted as jade, the buyer must be aware of the names of these simulants as well as their key identifying characteristics.

Jadeite

• Chicken or Tomb jadeite--yellowish or brown color
• Moss in the Snow--white jadeite with green streaks
• Yunan--intense, medium green, opaque
• Apple--green intense, medium green, opaque to translucent
• Imperial--emerald green, considered by most to be top quality

Nephrite

• Axe--in reference to the use of jade as a tool
• Canadian jade--dark green to blackish green
• Kidney--in reference to the belief that jade could cure kidney trouble if worn
• Maori--dark green material from New Zealand, mainly prehistoric
• New Zealand--medium to dark grey
• Siberian--medium green, fine quality
• Taiwanese--medium green, fine quality

While visual examination is not enough to identify the material conclusively, it renders clues that are certainly invaluable in the identification process. Some visual methods of examination include checking the texture, surface luster, fracture surface, and inclusions/dyes.

Texture
Jade is not an extremely hard material. Jadeite is listed as 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, and nephrite is listed as 6 to 6.5. Diamonds are listed as 10. The toughness of jade, however, is unsurpassed. The toughness of a material is related to its internal structure, which is different for nephrite and jadeite. The internal structure, in turn, is often reflected in the texture of the stone. Jadeite normally looks granular while nephrite looks fibrous. None of the jade simulants have the tightly aggregated structures of either jadeite or nephrite.

Surface Luster
Texture may affect luster in the case of jade; the luster of most jade is "vitreous" or greasy.

Fracture Surface
A granular fracture like that of a lump of sugar is characteristic of jadeite. The splintery fracture, like the surface of a broken piece of wood is most often seen on nephrite.

Inclusions/Dyes
Inclusions can help in identifying the gem material. Think of inclusions as fingerprints and not as flaws. The dyes can be detected under magnification.

"B-type" Jade
Bleached, polymer-impregnated jadeite jade. The chemical process to create B-type jade results in the stone being entirely covered with a hard, clear plastic-like coating. B-type jade is the bad stuff.

"C-type" Jade
Coated and dyed jade. This kind of jade is usually dyed green or lavender, but sometimes red or yellow as well. C-type jade is also the bad stuff.

"D-type" Jade
Bleached, dyed, coated, polymer-impregnated jadeite jade. D-type jade is the worst of all jade types.

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