So Whats this about Jade...
Just as many other minerals, Jade has been a hot topic due to the high increase of imitations on the market. In regards to the Jade sold at AKC, I have direct contact with long term suppliers mainly from South Africa (for buddstone) and China (for Nephrite White Jade). Please read about AKC Ethics HERE.
Below is further information in regards to Jade at AKC.
Types:
There are two "main" varieties of Jade including Nephrite and Jadeite. Nephrite & Jadeite both have two different silicate minerals that contains Silicon (grey shiny metal) & oxygen (gas) which makes up the composition of the mineral which changes how the minerals react to processing & handling & the overall appearance of the stones.
Formation:
Nephrite is created in low metamorphism whereas Jadeite is in high-pressure, This is often what gives the two appearances where Jadeite offers more color variations & is therefore extremely rare (& extremely expensive). With a Mohs hardness between 6,5-7, it may have facture surfaces that sparkle form the exposed cleavage of the crystal form that was created.
Testing...
Please note that Nephrite is not as hard as jadeite so if you are going to perform a scratch test, you may end up damaging it & it does not give a conclusive result as it can still scratch due to the treatment process that it already has gone through to create the form it is created (Ex. Sphere, carving etc). The Scratch test is the most inconclusive as if there is a scratch after using (for example blunt scissors), it proves most likely you have Nephrite but does not 100% prove you have fake jade!
-It is a denser crystal so an easy test is to throw it up in the air & catch it - it should feel heavier vs other crystals.
-Temp should be cold to touch and warms easily but cools just as quickly:
-Sound test can only be done versus a known Authentic Jade piece that is not treated.
-Flaws are an advantage to Jade testing. visible Imperfections either add value or indicate falsification in the form of bubbles or dying.
-Get it tested: There is only an 80% appraisal rate of Jade by professional apprasiers and jewelers. The only way to truly test jade is to send it to a lab.
Grading: Jade is categorized in 3 sections:
Type A:
100% real jade with Natural color, & completely untreated, Raw.
Traditional process of creation including plum juice washing & beeswax polish
No "artificial" treatements such as high-pressure treatments
Type B:
100% real jade with natural color
CAN but not always be bleached, injected with polymer to withstand "artificial" treatments
Can be covered with clear plastic/resin surface coating
(most polished spheres, palmstones, carvings have this treatment therefore fall under Type B Jade).
Type C:
Chemically dyed, can be discolored due to enhancements
Injected with polymer or mixed with other minerals