Demand for jade is driven almost entirely by the Chinese market. At the top end, it can be worth more than gold. In fact, it's so valuable, that criminals half a world away are taking notice. A gang in the UK was recently sentenced to prison for plundering jade artefacts from museums and an auction house.
According to an ancient Chinese proverb "黄金有价，玉无价" ("gold has a value, jade is invaluable") it is easier to put value on the gold than establish the value of jade because it often exceeds the worth of the stone.
Next to certain rare colors of diamond (such as blue, pink and red), jade is the world's most expensive gem, with prices far above even ruby and sapphire.
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.
Jade can cost more than diamonds in certain areas when it is of higher quality like the Burmese Jade. Burmese Jade remains one of the highest quality variations of this gemstone known for its firmer, denser, and more lustrous shine.
In some cultures, wearing jade is a big deal – and not always in a good way. For example, some Chinese people believe that wearing jade can bring bad luck to certain astrological signs, like those born in the Year of the Horse. Others believe that pregnant women shouldn't wear jade, as it can harm the baby.
WEARING YOUR JADE MORE WILL CHANGE ITS COLOUR – FACT OR MYTH? There are many who believe that the more you wear Jade close to the body, it will either turn a richer colour or its colour will start to fade, due to good energy or negative vibrations. However, this is truly only just a myth!
All jade shares the same symbolism, but extra meaning can be derived by the color of a stone. Green is for friendship, harmony, and renewal. Red is for energy, life, and love.
Most known deposits of jadeite occur along, or near faults in serpentinites. Examples of this type of deposit are found in Myanmar, New Zealand, Canada, Taiwan, Guyana, Surinam, southern Europe, Russia and China.
Diamonds are much more expensive than gold. However, red diamonds are extremely rare on our planet. Only 30 of them are currently known, and most of them do not weigh more than half a carat (about 0.1 grams). They are worth a lot, and 1 gram can cost around $ 5 million.
Platinum. There are four precious metals used in jewelry: platinum, gold, silver, and palladium. Of the four, platinum is often the most expensive and definitely the most exclusive. It's 30 times rarer than gold and used in a purer form.
RHODIUM: TOP MOST VALUABLE METAL
Rhodium is the most valuable metal and exists within the platinum group of metals. It is used in jewelry for a final finish on white gold jewelry. It occurs in the very same ore in which gold and silver exist – only, in smaller quantities.
The only disadvantage of the Jade plant is that the leaves of the plant can tend to hold onto excessive water. Due to this, they become soft and mushy and fall off the plant.
The importance of Jade stone in Chinese culture is reflected in its status as a symbol of goodness, preciousness and beauty. To the Chinese, jade stone is also the embodiment of the Confucian virtues of courage, wisdom, modesty, justice and compassion.
According to crystal therapy, Jade also has calming and soothing properties, it eliminates fear, comforts and calls for benevolence. Then, it helps the heart to find compassion to make the right decisions, balances emotions, and gives modest and clear ideas. Finally, it opens your mind and persuades you toward renewal.
Depending on the level of treatment, the value of the Jadeite drops dramatically. Treated Jadeite will not gain value over time like untreated Jadeite.
Hyderabad: Ninety per cent of the world's jade is mined in Myanmar. Myanmar's jade industry is worth billions of dollars annually. Most stones are bought by Chinese traders.
Jade symbolism includes associations with nobility and wealth. Many consider it a protector of generations, living and dead. Jade has been and always will be the "Gem Supreme" and the "Jewel of Heaven," stone of the heart. Jade sculpture, photo by Jennifer Gergen.
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.
The best jade is translucent and smooth to touch. Their color is vivid and striking that reflects light like water. There are opaque stones too, but they are quite inexpensive.
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.