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How to distinguish the authenticity of jadeite

Nowadays, the jade market is full of mixed goods, so it is really important to master the identification methods! Today, I will share these practical tips with you. Only by mastering the identification methods can you avoid buying fakes and prevent you from buying fake jade in the future.

1. Checkthe color

Under the warm light of the mall, the color of jade is often beautified. So when you get jade, you must go to natural light to observe it to see the original color of the jade. The color of natural jade is generally uneven, with different shades. The green is often distributed in clusters and veins, and has obvious color roots. Use a gem magnifier to observe carefully, and you will find that the color has a natural transition from dark to light (Figure 1). Dyed jade is generally very uniform and bright in color. If you look closely with a gem magnifier, you can also find that the color is obviously deepened in the cracks of the jade, forming spider web-like patterns (Figure 2), which is evidence of dye accumulation.

Figure 1     Natural Jade

Figure 2     Dyed  Jade

2. Touch Material

Natural jade feels very special. When you first hold it in your hand, you will feel a refreshing coolness, because it conducts heat quickly. But after a while, it will become warm and fit, just like slowly “making friends” with your skin. Fake jade made of glass or plastic is either always cold and unchanged, or warm to the touch, without that unique cool feeling. In addition, natural jade has a high density, and it feels heavy and pressed in your hand, while fake jade is light and fluffy. You can tell the difference by comparing.

3. Tap it and listen

Hang the jadeite with a rope and tap it gently with an agate stick or other hard objects. Natural jadeite will make a clear and pleasant sound with a long lingering sound, like a bell in the wind. However, jadeite that has been acid-washed and injected with glue will make a dull sound when tapped, just like tapping on plastic, and you can tell it apart at a glance. However, this method requires more practice, and novices must be careful when operating it, so as not to damage the jadeite.

4. By professional tools

Common tools for identifying jadeite include: gem refractometer, gem microscope, gem loupe, gem spectroscope and other instruments.

Using a gem refractometer, you can measure the unique refractive index of jadeite, 1.66. Other gemstones do not have this feature. Therefore, the refractometer can easily identify jadeite.

Using a gem microscope and a gem loupe, you can distinguish between natural jadeite (Figure 1), dyed jadeite (Figure 2), and bleached jadeite (Figure 3).

Figure 3   Bleached jadeite

5. By gemstone identification certificates issued by authoritative identification agencies

In gemstone transactions, looking for gemstone identification certificates issued by authoritative identification agencies is like buying a quality insurance for gemstones. It is not only an authoritative proof of gemstone quality and value, but also a strong guarantee of consumer rights.