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About Jadeite

Jade is actually two separate gems: Jadeite and Nephrite. Jadeite is a precious gemstone known for its vibrant colors and high value in jewelry and ornamental objects. It is primarily used in jewelry, including rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. It is also used in decorative carvings, sculptures, and religious artifacts.

High-quality jadeite is primarily found in Myanmar (formerly Burma), where it has been mined for centuries, commonly known as Burmese Jadeite. Another significant source include Guatemala, commonly known as Guatemalan Jadeite.

Jadeite Classification

There are four classifications to Jadeites:

Jadeite Classification

Navy Jade specialises only in Type A Jadeites and recommends wearing Type A Jadeites as chemically treated jadeite can potentially raise concerns about their safety when in  direct contacts with our body. Some considerations are skin sensitivity and long-term health effects due to prolonged exposures to chemical through skin contacts.

Color

Jadeite occurs in a diverse range of colors, each with its own unique appeal and value. The most common colours of jadeite includes green (the most valuable and prized), lavender, white, red, yellow, orange, brown, blue, and black.

Jadeite jade colours

Jadeite jade comes in a variety of colors. Green is the most valuable. - Courtesy Mason-Kay Fine Jade Jewelry

The most prized hue is green, ranging from delicate pale shades to intense emerald tones, often referred to as "Imperial Jade." Lavender jadeite, with its soft purple hues, is exceptionally rare and highly coveted. White jadeite is prized for its purity and translucency, while yellow and orange variations add warmth and vibrancy to jewelry designs. Blue jadeite offers a serene and unusual alternative, while black jadeite's deep, opaque color creates striking contrasts in artistic carvings and jewelry. 

These colors can vary in intensity and may sometimes exhibit mottling or other patterns that enhance their visual appeal. Intense colors command a substantial premium over lighter colors. The value of jadeite is influenced not only by its color but also by factors such as transparency, texture, and overall quality.

It is worth noting that orange, red and yellow jadeite are rare in the market and most of such colours that are available in the market has undergone heat treatment to alter its colour and are also known as "Burnt Jadeite". However, it's important to note that heat-treated jadeite may not retain the same natural characteristics or durability as untreated jadeite.

With the increased mining of Guatemala jadeite, blue jadeite are more readily seen in the market. However, blue Burmese jadeites remain rare and highly valued.

Both Burnt Jadeite and Guatemala Jadeite are also recognised as Type A Jadeite, and are usually sold at a fraction of untreated Jadeite or Burmese Jadeite making them a well sought-after choice in today's market as compared to their counterparts.

Transparency(水)

Jadeite can range from translucent to opaque. Translucent jadeite allows some light to pass through, giving it a glowing appearance and enhancing its color and texture. Opaque jadeite, on the other hand, does not transmit light and may have a more solid appearance.

Generally, translucent jadeite is more valuable than opaque jadeite because it showcases the stone's color and internal features more effectively. Higher transparency allows for better appreciation of the stone's beauty and can increase its aesthetic appeal.

Textures(种)

Texture refers to the surface appearance and feel of the jadeite. Jadeite's can be fine or coarse, depending on the stone's internal crystal structure. Jade textures are differentiated by the size of the crystals that form the jade. Fine-grained jadeites have a smooth texture and consequently, high luster.

1. Bean(豆种)

2. Glutinous(糯种)

3. Fine Glutinous(细糯种

4. Icy Glutinous(糯冰种)

5. Icy(冰种)

6. True Icy(高冰种)

7. Glassy(玻璃种)

Clarity

Jadeite can contain various internal characteristics such as cotton, veining, crack, uneven surface textures and mineral inclusions. These features can affect the stone’s transparency, value and overall appearance.

 

It is traditionally believed that that the ideal jade should not contain any inclusions. However, inclusions are a part of the natural process in the formation of jade, and in certain cases can be considered beautiful.  Inclusions may also be seen in high-quality jade but are often minimised.

Jadeite Grading System

Every company in the world that sells jadeite uses their own system that each devised and created. Every system is subjective and unique.

In order to help customers to compare and understand what they are paying for, Navy Jade has created an easy to understand jadeite grading system where there are six specifications that you can look out for to guarantee meticulous quality.

1. Type of Jadeite and its Origin

Eg. Type A Burmese (Myanmar) / Guatemalan (Guatemala) Jadeite

2. Transparency: Refers to the translucency of the Jadeite stones.

- Totally Opaque

- Mostly Opaque

- Mostly Translucent

- Semi-Transparent

3. Clarifications: Jadeite stones may have natural stone lines/patterns, colour lines, or internal veins, as they are the product of

     nature.

- Many inclusions

- Some inclusions

- Few inclusions

- No visible inclusions to the naked eye

Navy Jade will also include additional remarks such as the type of inclusions, where applicable.

4. Size: Mainly stated in millimeters (mm).

- For Bangle: Inner Diameter x Width x Thickness

- For Jadeite Ring Band: Inner Diameter x Width 

- For S925 Ring: Adjustable open ring

- For Bracelet: May include the bead or bar size, and the bracelet's length

 

Do check out our size guide.

5. Shape (where applicable)

6. Authenticity Certification (if any)

- Will indicate if the certification is done locally or foreign, if any

- Local authenticity certification may be free upon order confirmation in some products

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