How to Tell if Jade Is Real

Introduction

Jade is a highly valued gemstone worldwide, with cultural significance beyond just being a decoration. However, determining its authenticity can be difficult. For centuries, people have sought after jade for its properties, appearance, and various benefits related to religion, spirituality, and health.

In today's world, many gemstones, including gold and diamonds, can be counterfeited. Unfortunately, jade is no exception to this. Fake jade is quite common due to its popularity and high prices. The silver lining is that it is challenging to replicate jade perfectly. Therefore, it is crucial to learn how to distinguish genuine jade from fake jade to avoid being deceived.

Types of Jade

Before understanding the contrast between genuine and counterfeit jade, it is important to recognize that there are two varieties of jade: jadeite and nephrite. These two types of jade are so dissimilar that they can be considered as separate minerals.

1. Jadeite

Jadeite is more scarce, tougher, and denser compared to nephrite, and it is primarily found in northern Myanmar. Due to its rarity, it commands a higher price. It also showcases a wider variety of green hues, with imperial green jade being the priciest option.

2. Nephrite

Nephrite is available in a wider variety of colors, such as green, white, or yellow. It is more widely found than jadeite, which makes it less expensive.

Buying nephrite is fine, but watch out for deceitful vendors who may attempt to deceive you by selling nephrite as jadeite.

Testing Jade

Determining if jade is genuine can be done by following these steps.

1) The Light Test

The light test is considered the easiest way to examine your jade. Genuine jade contains grainy, fibrous, or felt-like fibers that are intertwined in its structure. To observe these characteristics, place your stone under a bright light and check for consistent coloration. The color should remain uniform throughout the gem, with slight variations. Counterfeit jade often exhibits patterns that are overly perfect or uniform.

Chrysoprase is a commonly used material to imitate jade. However, unlike jade, chrysoprase lacks the grainy or felt-like marks. To obtain a closer look, you can utilize a loupe to magnify your stone. If the patterns appear uniform or if the stone is layered, it is likely to be fake.

2) The Flaw Test

Flaws in gemstones are usually seen as negative, except for jade. In jade, imperfections indicate authenticity, like the natural vein-like patterns that remain even after polishing.

However, bubbles or unnatural colors suggest fake jade made from glass or other materials. Authentic jade is transparent and has a smooth feel. While jade can come in various colors, genuine jade typically has vibrant and bold hues. Dull or opaque jade is usually cheaper.

3) The Scratch Test

Many jade collectors rely on this method. It's a simple way to determine if your jade is genuine. Genuine jade is very durable and cannot be scratched by common household metals. Therefore, using a steel pin, scissors, or knife should not leave any lasting marks on your stone. Jade has a hardness of 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale, while steel ranks at 5.

This means that jade is harder than steel and should not be susceptible to scratching. Remember, always seek permission from the store owner before conducting this test in any store. Even when testing at home, be extremely careful to avoid damaging the setting of your jade. Nephrite, a type of jade, is softer than jadeite and may be damaged by the scratch test. Additionally, the gem may not be natural jade, but it could still be a valuable imitation such as prehnite or green quartz.

4) The Density Test

Jade is denser than its imitations. To test its density, you can try the toss-in-the-air test. However, be careful not to drop it accidentally in a jewelry store. Throw the stone in the air and catch it. Genuine jade will feel heavier when you catch it, unlike other stones or jade imitations like glass, which are lighter.

Another method is to tap the stone against a piece of authentic jade. Fake jade will sound like two plastic beads tapping together. If you have the necessary instruments, you can also calculate the density. However, this cannot be done at the store.

5) The Temperature Test

Real jade possesses a cool sensation and requires time to reach a warmer temperature. When grasping it, it will take a longer duration to warm up but will rapidly cool down once you place it aside.

To warm it up, you can try holding it in your palm and then setting it aside for a few seconds. If you pick it up again, authentic jade should not feel warm. However, it is important to note that this test is subjective, as what may feel warm to you could feel cold to someone else.

Know your Jade

Jadeite and nephrite are classified into four grades (Type A to Type D) based on the stabilization technique employed. It is essential to comprehend these grades in order to assess the value of jade.

Explore gemstones akin to jade, like aventurine, serpentine, greenstone, Transvaal jade, and others. You can have an imitation jade as long as you are aware of your purchase.

The methods for detecting counterfeit jade may only sometimes be foolproof; consulting a gemologist is the most reliable approach. Acquire your gemstone from a reputable seller who provides an authenticity certificate.

Differences Between Real and Fake Jade

Jade is a gemstone with intricate characteristics, and its widespread popularity has resulted in the production of counterfeit versions made from materials such as glass and plastic. It is crucial to recognize the disparities between genuine and fake jade. There are five significant contrasts. Authentic jade can exhibit various colors, not limited to green. It is resistant to scratches from steel or glass. Genuine jade does not possess bubbles or concentrated dyes. Lastly, it does not emit a glow when exposed to UV light.

There are more than 20 materials, both natural and artificial, that mimic jade. Certain names, such as Afghanistan jade and Transvaal Jade, can be misleading as they are not true jade. So, when dealing with jade, it is advisable to consult a professional gemologist for the most accurate information.

How to Tell if Jade Is Real (Different Colors)

Real jade is a beautiful gemstone that comes in different colors, such as green, white, red, pink, yellow, black, and light blue. These colors are a sign of its authenticity and not fake.

Real jade has a semi-transparent look with a consistent color that subtly changes between shades. It is made up of microcrystalline aggregates without visible crystals or grains. Jade is known for its hardness, ranking 6-7 on the Mohs scale, and its exceptional durability. Genuine, untreated jade does not glow under UV light.

The word jade is used to describe two different minerals: nephrite and jadeite. It has been very difficult to tell these two substances apart because they look the same. Both are types of rocks made up of small mineral crystals that are tightly connected.

Jadeite and nephrite are both unique minerals with different chemical compositions. Jadeite falls under the pyroxene group with a composition of NaAlSi2O6, while nephrite is a combination of two minerals actinolite and tremolite from the amphibole group.

Jadeite jade can be found in various colors like green, yellow, and reddish-orange, as well as white, gray, black, brown, and lavender. Nephrite jade, on the other hand, comes in shades of green, yellow, brown, black, gray, and white.

1. White Jade
   
   Genuine white jade has a milky and translucent look, which helps to differentiate it from fake ones. Both jadeite and nephrite can have this feature. The best quality white jade can even make printed text readable.
   It's crucial to remember that real white jade should not have any black inclusions or veins. This kind of jade is often called ice jade and is highly valued in today's market.
2. Red Jade
   
   Red jade can occasionally resemble coral, but genuine red jade is usually more orange-red and not purple-red. Real red jade is not transparent and is often utilized for carvings, having a sleek surface and no apparent veins.
3. Pink Jade
   
   Real pink jade has never been discovered in vibrant shades. The genuine colors of pink jade are more precisely depicted as pale pink, lavender, faint purple, or light grayish violet. Authentic pink jadeite jade consistently exhibits a whitish look.
   Not all stones are see-through, but the best ones are almost clear. Some pink jade stones have a slight shine. So, just because a jade stone has a pink (lavender) color, it doesn't mean it's fake.
4. Green Jade
   
   For centuries, green has held immense importance and value in Chinese culture. As we mentioned before, green jade can be found in two forms: jadeite and nephrite.
   Out of all types of jade, green jade is the most susceptible to counterfeits, substitutes, and imitations. To distinguish real green jade from fake ones, it is advisable to use a loupe and UV light.
   The highest quality jadeite, known as "imperial jade," is almost transparent and exhibits a vibrant emerald-green color. This type of green jade, free from any hints of gray or yellow, can fetch millions of dollars in the market.
5. Yellow Jade
   
   Natural yellow jade lacks intense coloring, leaning more towards an orangish hue with warm undertones. Lemon or acidic shades are not present in this type of jade. Similar to red jade, it typically has an opaque appearance, making it a desirable material for intricate carvings.
6. Black Jade
   
   Natural black jade is commonly associated with nephrite. While it is typically opaque, one way to distinguish real black jade from imitations is by examining its luster. Genuine black jade will not have a glassy appearance or very shiny reflections. Instead, it will have a waxy surface.
7. Blue Jade
   
   Blue jade does not possess the vibrant electric blue lapis lazuli-like colors. Instead, it has a noble tone and saturation. It is more accurate to describe it as light blue with hints of gray. Blue jade is a highly uncommon gemstone. The finest examples are nearly transparent and resemble blue ice.

How to Test Jade with UV Light

UV light is a useful tool for identifying dyes and polymers impregnated stones.

When testing jade with UV light, it's important to do so in a dark room without any other light sources. Typically, natural untreated jade won't fluoresce under UV light. However, some lighter-colored samples may show a slight reaction. Stones treated with polymers may exhibit an uneven, light-blue, chalky glow.

Polymers, resins, and glues often fluoresce under UV light. Therefore, conducting a UV test can help identify areas where pieces of jewelry are glued together or where plastic materials have been impregnated.

In addition, there were instances where genuine jade with small green areas was also subjected to green dyeing. It is worth noting that authentic green spots do not exhibit fluorescence under UV light, whereas artificially introduced ones do emit a glow.

How to Tell if Jade is Fake

Even experienced traders of jade face a challenge in distinguishing between real jade and fake ones. To ensure complete certainty, additional laboratory tests should be conducted. However, commonly used tests such as relative weight, temperature sensitivity, and tapping sound are somewhat subjective.

Fake jade can be made from various materials that possess distinct physical and optical properties. Plastic imitations, for instance, are softer than genuine jade and can be easily scratched by a knife or glass. Glass counterfeits may exhibit shell-like chips and bubbles. On the other hand, polymer fakes emit a glow when exposed to UV light.

It is important to note that the properties and tests mentioned above could be more precise. Therefore, it is highly recommended to request certificates from reputable gemological laboratories when purchasing jade to ensure protection against acquiring expensive counterfeit pieces.

False Jade

Various materials can imitate the appearance of real jade and serve as substitutes for it. These materials can be categorized into two groups: natural and artificial. Artificial substitutes mainly consist of different types of glasses, plastic, and polymers. On the other hand, natural substitutes include various minerals and rocks that closely resemble genuine jade. It is worth noting that there are also misleading trade terms that may sound like a type of jade but actually refer to a different material.

Identify the typical counterfeits and physical characteristics that can help distinguish them from genuine jade.

1. Quartzite
   
   Quartzite is a rock made up of only one mineral and is often colored to mimic expensive green and lavender jade. Identifying it can be challenging without specialized tools, but using a refractometer and checking specific gravity can quickly reveal any imposters.
2. Serpentinite
   
   Serpentinite, a deep green metamorphic rock, bears a striking resemblance to nephrite and jadeite. It frequently contains inclusions of black and opaque chromite minerals, aiding in its identification. Additionally, serpentinite is relatively soft and can be easily scratched by a knife in most instances.
3. Marble
   
   Marble is a type of rock made mainly of calcite and dolomite, and it has unique features that set it apart from natural jade. Fake marble products usually have a rougher texture than real jade, and they may also have visible banding patterns. Additionally, marble is relatively soft and can be easily scratched with a knife, which can help in identifying it.
4. Chalcedony
   
   Chalcedony has more yellow tones compared to jadeite. It can be distinguished from jade by conducting refractive index and specific gravity tests.
5. Maw Sit Sit
   
   Maw Sit Sit is a bright green stone made up of a mix of minerals, including chromite, kosmochlor, symplectite, chlorite, albite, serpentine, and zeolites. It can be a solid color, a combination of colors, or have black or white markings. It is not easy to distinguish between jade and Maw Sit Sit without laboratory analysis. Currently, Maw Sit Sit is rare in the market.
6. Hedrogrossular Garnet
   
   Hydrogrossular garnet is commonly used as a substitute for jadeite because of its green to bluish-green colors. It can be easily distinguished from jade due to its different refractive index and impurities that create dark spots.

How Can You Tell if Jade Has Been Dyed?

Identify dyed jade by examining it under a microscope or loupe for colorant patches between crystal grains. Use UV light to detect any glowing, which indicates the presence of dye. Also, inspect the bead holes for any signs of paint. Natural jade colors will not change under these tests.

Difference Between Real and Fake Jade

Real jade can be distinguished from fake jade by its hardness. Real jade cannot be easily scratched by a knife or glass, unlike fake jade made of glass or plastic. Fake jade may contain bubbles, zones of dye concentration, and tiny conchoidal fractures. Natural jade also does not glow under UV light.

Conclusion

Nephrite and Jadeite, which bear a striking resemblance to each other, are two types of jade. However, the value of jade is determined by the material it is composed of. Out of the two, Jadeite is the more costly stone. Regrettably, numerous merchants exploit the customers' desire for a better understanding of the Jade while selling jade. So, it is advisable to have the ability to distinguish between real and fake jade before planning to buy this precious stone.