Thankfully, the truth about natural, untreated
The intensity of the colour of Jade will only change due to dirt or grease that can sometimes get trapped on the surface, or if the Jade piece has undergone colour treatment, gradually fading to its original state as time passes.
There are reported cases of Grade A Jadeite Jade bangles changing colour over time from wear. It's important to note that colour change in treated jadeite is different topic. If the colour change from green to brownish colour, it is believed that the bangle has been drawing negative energy from your body.
The most valuable jade color is known as “imperial jade” and occurs only in jadeite. Imperial jade is a green balanced between blue and yellow hues. The ideal tone is medium-dark, about 75%, where green hues are optimally saturated.
For jadeite, the intensity of the green color, combined with a high degree of translucency are the key factors in judging value. Stones which are too dark in color or not so translucent are less highly valued.
Thankfully, the truth about natural, untreated jadeite jade is that it will in fact not change color over time. Natural jade is impervious to perfumes, oils, and most cold acids.
They check its level of transparency. They look for even coloration or a pleasing mottling of colors. They also look for fine polish and undistorted surface reflections. Clarity is important, too, because any fractures can strongly affect value.
This happens when another mineral gets between the grains and turn jade another color. Iron oxide stained this jade orange. The color of jade affects its value. Emerald green and lavender jade are really valuable in Asia.
Low-quality jadeite with poor transparency, such as moss-in-snow, flower green, and extreme pea green jade, is commonly used for bleaching. These poor varieties of jade all reveal their original distinctive characteristics even after bleaching, and some are more visible than others.
Generally, blue is the color of jade that is the rarest because it comes from only a few deposits found in Guatemala, Japan and Myanmar. Green and lavender jade are more common.
Real jade should be cold to the touch and have a dense, solid feel. Fake jade is often made from materials such as glass or plastic which are not as dense as real jade. If the stone feels light or hollow, it is likely that it is fake.
Make use of water and mild soap
Mix in two or three drops of mild, alcohol-free dish or hand soap until totally dissolved. Soak your jade piece in the solution-filled dish for up to one minute.
Green Jade – What most people think of
Jadeite, a sodium and aluminum-rich pyroxene mineral, is rarer and more valuable. Its vibrant green hues, ranging from translucent “apple green” to the saturated “Imperial green,” are highly sought after.
Real jade has a very high density, which means it will feel heavier than you might expect based on its size. Toss and catch the stone several times to get a feel for its weight. If you can, compare it to a different stone so you can get an idea of how heavy the jade feels.
Green Jade
The most vibrant emerald-green color is also referred to as ''imperial jade,'' commands the highest price, and comes from Myanmar where it was discovered in the 19th century.
Over time the bees wax coating can diminish. The color will not fade with natural jadeite jade, but it simply can take on a dull appearance. Jade is meant to be worn and loved.
Grade 1: Many inclusions, most of which are black. Grade 2: Many inclusions, most of which are white, with some black inclusions. Grade 3: Some inclusions, all are white or light coloured. Grade 4: Few inclusions, all white or light coloured.
Materials often mistaken for jade include chrysoprase, maw sit sit, serpentine, hydrogrossular garnet and aventurine. This is due to these gemstones boasting the same deep green colour that jade is most famous for, though each have subtle differences that allow you to identify their true nature.
Our customers often note how specific stones call to them, so we do believe the stone can choose you to an extent. However, there is no traditional tikanga (teaching) that states this is due to a spirit within the stone or that choosing and purchasing a stone for oneself would result in a tapu of bad luck.
The term 'jade' is actually a catch-all term that encompasses two separate minerals: nephrite, which is more opaque and traditionally used for sculptural objects and ornaments; and jadeite, which is more translucent and can be polished to a high lustre, making it more suitable for jewellery.
There is actually a spectrum of different colors of jade. At TRACE, we use only natural, untreated jadeite jade, which can be apple green to dark green, or white, black, lavender, yellow, and even red.
Jadeite comes in a broader range of colors than nephrite which only comes in green, white, and yellow. However, jadeite mainly has varying shades of green that range between apple-green and emerald. Jadeite's luster appears more oily, while nephrite luster is vitreous or glassy.
Some poor-quality variations can be worth only $2 per carat. However, the value rises with the variation, place of origin, texture, and much more, so you may be able to pay as much as $3 million per carat. If you want to buy or sell jade per gram, keep in mind that the price goes from $25 to $5,000.
The stone can survive wear and tear, water exposure and common chemical elements, including perfumes, body lotion, etc. So, yes, you can wear jade jewelry every day.