In fact, if you shine a blacklight on true jadeite glass in the dark, it will glow. Pretty unappetizing, right?
A black light gives off ultraviolet (UV) light and when it is shone on fluorescent substances, such as uranium-containing Jadeite, it causes the Jadeite to absorb the UV light and re-emit it at a different wavelength, making the light visible and the Jadeite dishes appear to glow.
If the jade fluoresces under a longwave UV light, it usually indicates grade B or grade C jade, but not always.
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.
In the mid-1940's, Jade-ite was produced by Anchor Hocking. Early versions produced by McKee Glass Company and Jeannette Glass Company (both of Jeannette PA) are a type of uranium glass that will glow under UV light.
Strong fluorescence in jadeite is often indicative of either polymer impregnation or a dye treatment; however, fluorescence from polymers would be evenly distributed throughout the stone due to the nature of impregnation.
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.
Vivid, sleek, and translucent, magnificent jadeite commands some of the highest prices among gems in today's international market. Jadeite's three most important qualities, in order of their impact on its market value, are color, transparency, and texture.
Because it was inexpensive to make, jadeite could be sold cheaply at five-and-dime stores or even given away for free. Today, many of those same pieces are prized as collector's items, with some rare objects fetching prices of several hundred dollars each.
Note that some jade will have a very weak yellowish reaction to UV light without treatment, especially in white areas. It will be quite obvious if the material fluoresces, don't get too worried about trying to track down super faint glowing in your piece.
Willemite. A zinc silicate, willemite is well known for its extremely bright green fluorescence, though it can fluoresce in other colors, as well.
If you don't see any markings on your Jadeite, it could mean 3 things: It's an unmarked authentic Fire-King Jadeite dish, and may have had a foil label when it was sold new. It may be another brand of Jade-ite such as Jeannette or McKee. dishes glow under a blacklight.
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.
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.
Experts often detect nephrite by its lower translucency and luster. Nephrite tends to have a resinous luster, while jadeite is more vitreous. Nephrite jade is also formed in metamorphic rocks but goes through less pressure and stress than jadeite. Because of this, nephrite jade is much softer than jadeite.
Jade is a term used to describe two different types of gemstones: nephrite and jadeite. Nephrite is a silicate of calcium and magnesium, while jadeite is a silicate of sodium and aluminum. Both minerals are found in a variety of colors, including green, white, yellow, brown, and black.
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. Color distribution must also be taken into account.
Real jade can be pricey, especially if it's jadeite, the rarer, more valuable form of jade. Jadeite is one of the two mineral species that can be classified as jade: the other is nephrite, a much more common and less valuable mineral.
Jadeite Price & Value
Imperial Jadeite (Burmese): $400 per carat (below 2 cts); $500 per carat (2-10 cts) White Jadeite (Burmese): $90 per carat. Jadeite (Non-Burmese): $100 per carat.
Materials often mistaken for jade include chrysoprase, maw sit sit, serpentine, hydrogrossular garnet and aventurine.
The visual distinguishing features to look for in this type of jadeite are tiny brownish-yellow or black inclusions hidden near outlines of carvings or prong settings (if it is set into a ring or pendant). These dark-coloured imperfections can be omitted from the jade if the lapidary carver cuts around them.
Take the stone in your hand and see how it feels. 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.