Evaluating jadeite (feicui)

[Bookwyrm]

I don’t know any in Taiwan but found this thread on pricescope.

Thread 'Jade grading/certification in Taiwan: TGI, LTA, somewhere else?'

Apr 25, 2021

So I have had some contact with a jade specialist store in Taiwan, in regard to buying some cabochons. Apparently the shop is reluctant to send the items to be graded overseas in labs such as HKJSL or Nanyang Singapore.

They offered domestic certification in private labs, such as Lai Tai-An or Wu Chao-Ming; from my very basic Chinese looks like they do deal with jade certification a fair amount. My understanding is Taiwan Gemological Institute is the most internationally known gem laboratory from Taiwan, but from their website doesn’t look like they don’t have much of specialisation for...

• Sydneyphoenix
• Replies: 9
• Forum: Colored Gemstones

Haha, we are so spoilt for choice. It may sound strange but to me, Jannpaul is just another shop.
Lots more here that is tempting… shudder.
For example, my weekend plan is to visit the Phillips Geneva Jewels 3 Auction tour and the VCA Ruby exhibition. Isn’t it nuts?

Thank you for the link; I'll check it out!

Oh my gosh, Singapore sounds like such fun...so many eye candies...I MUST visit sometime soon! Pictures please!!!

On a side note, I got to see some jade today in Chinatown and Haymarket (sorry I don't know how to tag you mellowyellowgirl haha)! I don't think any of the stuff was super nice though, because I could see inclusions in most of them, but I did get to see a few pieces with really nice colour (it was funny that one salesperson kept trying to tell me that various pieces were imperial quality when even a noob like me could tell they were most certainly not ). That was a super fun excursion though! Also checked out my favourite antique stores!

 

[Bookwyrm]

Hmmmm I'm still a bit nervous about these inclusions. Are inclusions in jade like inclusions in diamond where feathers can get worse over time and turn into cracks if there's a lot of them? Will the inclusions on this jadeite really not affect its durability?

The jadeite I saw today seemed to have a lot more inclusions; is the pear jadeite I'm eyeing not too bad in terms of inclusions? I haven't seen that much jade in person so don't have much to compare it with.

What do you guys think of the translucency and glow of this pear? I can't really see much glow in the photos, but I was told that it should glow in both outdoors and indoors lighting.

Sorry about the rambling! It's just hard buying without seeing something, and I'm still a bit nervous about it...

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

They look like black lines where the jade is darker? Jadeite is very tough so I doubt they will cause you any trouble unless you can feel the lines.

I have a bangle with quite a few natural lines and it has held up perfectly fine.

However it’s $12000 usd so if it bothers you even a tiny bit, I wouldn’t buy it.

For that price I wouldn’t settle unless I was absolutely sure that my money wasn’t going to buy anything better.

 

[Bookwyrm]

They look like black lines where the jade is darker? Jadeite is very tough so I doubt they will cause you any trouble unless you can feel the lines.

I have a bangle with quite a few natural lines and it has held up perfectly fine.

However it’s $12000 usd so if it bothers you even a tiny bit, I wouldn’t buy it.

For that price I wouldn’t settle unless I was absolutely sure that my money wasn’t going to buy anything better.

Hmm I don’t mind the look of the inclusions much, but they just remind me of feathers in diamond, which I think can cause durability issues and develop into cracks if you’re not careful. Does jadeite also have feathers? Or does inclusion when it comes to jadeite just refer to any patch or line of colour that doesn’t match the main body colour? Sorry, I’m a bit of a noob when it comes to jade and this is probably a dumb question on my part I saw this jade ring with nice colour today, but on closer inspection it was covered in fine lines just crisscrossing across the stone and that kind of put me off, but I think the lines on this pear aren’t as noticeable? I wish I could see it in person first…

I do really like the shape and size of this pear jadeite, and I think I like the colour (although it’s hard to tell for sure what shade it is exactly through photos and videos). I also haven’t been able to find any other pears or marquise that are as nice. Do you think I’d be able to get anything better at that price point if I waited? Pear shapes seem so hard to find sadly.

 

[dk168]

I love this thread!

I can't wear Jade as they go pale on me for some reasons.

The small centre stone of my mother's ring that I lost some years ago was very clear and very vivid green, and I loved that stone!

A bigger stone in that calibre is out of my reach!

DK

 

[Crimson]

Thank you @dk168 As with other gems, quality is more important than size. Your Mom’s jadeite has the emotional connection, so it is the best.

 

[Crimson]

Hmm I don’t mind the look of the inclusions much, but they just remind me of feathers in diamond, which I think can cause durability issues and develop into cracks if you’re not careful. Does jadeite also have feathers? Or does inclusion when it comes to jadeite just refer to any patch or line of colour that doesn’t match the main body colour? Sorry, I’m a bit of a noob when it comes to jade and this is probably a dumb question on my part I saw this jade ring with nice colour today, but on closer inspection it was covered in fine lines just crisscrossing across the stone and that kind of put me off, but I think the lines on this pear aren’t as noticeable? I wish I could see it in person first…

I do really like the shape and size of this pear jadeite, and I think I like the colour (although it’s hard to tell for sure what shade it is exactly through photos and videos). I also haven’t been able to find any other pears or marquise that are as nice. Do you think I’d be able to get anything better at that price point if I waited? Pear shapes seem so hard to find sadly.

I agree with @mellowyellowgirl . Btw to tag anyone just type @ immediately followed by their name (no space in between)
@Bookwyrm You don’t have to make excuses for the jadeite! Please don’t. It is a slippery slope. I know there are trade-offs. But at USD12K you do have choices if you don’t insist on a pear.
Below is a shot of the stone I returned. The black inclusion wasn’t obvious to the naked eye - this is under a loupe.
I have also included photos of other rings, with prices.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

I love love love the design and setting of that ring you returned @Crimson. Do you have a finger shot?

Guess what? I worked out how to attach my big jadeite flower rings to my hair!!! And it’s pretty secure too! No hair pins so I won’t scratch the ring. They will get ever so much more wear from now on!!!

 

[Crimson]

I love love love the design and setting of that ring you returned @Crimson. Do you have a finger shot?

Guess what? I worked out how to attach my big jadeite flower rings to my hair!!! And it’s pretty secure too! No hair pins so I won’t scratch the ring. They will get ever so much more wear from now on!!!

So pretty
I have worn my rings as scarf rings too. Will try rings next. The easiest are my brooches - I just clip them to a hairband.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Sadly I don’t own even one brooch @Crimson
They don’t sell beautiful ones like the ones you own. Haha I only know of acrylic ones! If I do ever find a proper brooch like yours, Lil Sis will be the first to have it. She’s such a brooch girl (acrylic for now but one day we will get there!)

How I made my ring work as a hair ornament in case anyone wants to do the same.

 

[Crimson]

I love love love the design and setting of that ring you returned @Crimson. Do you have a finger shot?

@mellowyellowgirl Did you mean the starry looking ring ? I tried to find a photo but I have so many, I couldn’t find any of the starry ring on my finger. Anyway, the piece returned was not the starry ring. I’ll take a photo of the starry ring the next time I go to the shop.
I did find two other photos that you might like. Below is a generously sized jadeite, full of water colour but not imperial green, $200000.
The bangle is nice too but has an inconveniently located cabochon right at the centre of the back of the wrist.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Oh my!!!! Soooo gorgeous!!!

I thought you returned the starry ring! I was looking at it thinking I wouldn’t have minded the inclusions because I couldn’t see any lol. It’s gorgeous!

That new one you posted has height! I do love a chubby cab with heft!

 

[Crimson]

Oh my!!!! Soooo gorgeous!!!

I thought you returned the starry ring! I was looking at it thinking I wouldn’t have minded the inclusions because I couldn’t see any lol. It’s gorgeous!

That new one you posted has height! I do love a chubby cab with heft!

Haha, yes, I had you in mind when I saw the pic of the big ring!
I have just posted the photos of the VCA ruby exhibits at the Minerva (Muzo green emerald) thread. Enjoy!

Post in thread 'My new Vivid Green Muzo Emerald Ring'

Oct 22, 2024

Hi everyone,
I recently took Minerva to the Van Cleef and Arpels and L’Ecole exhibition.
It was at the Raffles Hotel, Singapore. Sharing some photos of Minerva’s adventure
After all the bling, Minerva wanted a Singapore Sling.

• Crimson

• 
• 
• 

 

[newtojewels]

Haha, yes, I had you in mind when I saw the pic of the big ring!
I have just posted the photos of the VCA ruby exhibits at the Minerva (Muzo green emerald) thread. Enjoy!

Post in thread 'My new Vivid Green Muzo Emerald Ring'

Oct 22, 2024

Hi everyone,
I recently took Minerva to the Van Cleef and Arpels and L’Ecole exhibition.
It was at the Raffles Hotel, Singapore. Sharing some photos of Minerva’s adventure
After all the bling, Minerva wanted a Singapore Sling.

• Crimson

• 
• 
• 

OMG.

 

[strawrose]

Old mine is better than just icy, it means very fine texture. The colour of old mine pieces is often also more saturated. The piece you are looking at has a standard Kathy description of Jadeite green which isn’t saying very much. They have that description on many of their pieces. There are far fewer pieces with the old mine, intense, green description, and even fewer with imperial green – see photo below for imperial green.

Even if it is the Taiwan dollar… I’m staring at so many zeros..

 

[Crimson]

Even if it is the Taiwan dollar… I’m staring at so many zeros..

Yes, @strawrose it is quite boggling!
Even in USD it is hundreds of thousands or over a million
As with other gems, small differences can add up to a lot.

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

So thanks to this thread I have been looking into jade bangles and discovered I have really expensive taste. It’s weird because for other rocks, I love lab diamonds and treated gemstones but the idea of buying non-type A jade does not appeal to me. Maybe because the synthetic jade is such a radically different rock from type A jade. Anyway, you all have spoiled me!

 

[Crimson]

So thanks to this thread I have been looking into jade bangles and discovered I have really expensive taste. It’s weird because for other rocks, I love lab diamonds and treated gemstones but the idea of buying non-type A jade does not appeal to me. Maybe because the synthetic jade is such a radically different rock from type A jade. Anyway, you all have spoiled me!

Lovely to hear that, @oncrutchesrightnow. Happy searching! The fun is in the hunt
Sharing a clear guide to measuring your Jade bangle size.

Jade Bracelet Sizing Guide: How to Measure for Jade Bangle

Choosing the correct size jade bangle is crucial to ensure that it will fit you perfectly. A jade bangles is a rigid piece of jewellery and will not mould around your wrist.

mays.sg

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

So thanks to this thread I have been looking into jade bangles and discovered I have really expensive taste. It’s weird because for other rocks, I love lab diamonds and treated gemstones but the idea of buying non-type A jade does not appeal to me. Maybe because the synthetic jade is such a radically different rock from type A jade. Anyway, you all have spoiled me!

I think a lab stone has just been grown in a lab, nothing gross about it. But some of the treated jade processes are down right nasty. I guess it’s an uncomfortable feeling wearing something that’s been soaked goodness knows what.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Some jade pictures courtesy of little sis being sneaky outside the shop window.

Ignore the stupid prices!



I frankly like my ring much more!

 

[Crimson]

Some jade pictures courtesy of little sis being sneaky outside the shop window.

Ignore the stupid prices!



I frankly like my ring much more!

I prefer your ring too! Wow, those lavender pieces seem rather overpriced. The necklace has lots of heads but they are very pale. Maybe a classic case of dying in the light. Yours looks bright and vivid in light!

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

So @Bookwyrm I took more pics for you!



This oval one has these black line inclusions that look like thin cracks inside the stone if you zoom in.

 

[Bookwyrm]

So @Bookwyrm I took more pics for you!



This oval one has these black line inclusions that look like thin cracks inside the stone if you zoom in.

Oh my gosh, these looks so pretty! (The price tags, less so haha) I love the green of the marquise! 70k though... And I actually cannot see any lines in the oval haha - I'm guessing inclusions are easier to see in person?

I haven't had much time for Pricescope as I've been just swamped with work lately, but thank you for sending these for me to ogle!! <3

I think I will probably go ahead with the pear ring from Kathy, because I really do have my heart set on a pear, and I think that's the best pear jadeite I've ever seen and the jadeite size is perfect so might as well I guess I do hope the pear glows as much as the rings in your pictures! In some of the pictures sent by Kathy, it looks quite glowy, but in others (e.g. natural daylight) it looks a bit flat...I guess I'll see in a couple of weeks!

Kathy said they can't send to any labs outside of Taiwan, so I think I'll just have to trust their judgement and certificate. It also does sound scary sending a piece all the way to Hong Kong or Singapore.

And the marquise ring you sent really reminds me of this piece that I saw on 1st dibs for a really similar price haha

 

[Bookwyrm]

Haha, yes, I had you in mind when I saw the pic of the big ring!
I have just posted the photos of the VCA ruby exhibits at the Minerva (Muzo green emerald) thread. Enjoy!

Post in thread 'My new Vivid Green Muzo Emerald Ring'

Oct 22, 2024

Hi everyone,
I recently took Minerva to the Van Cleef and Arpels and L’Ecole exhibition.
It was at the Raffles Hotel, Singapore. Sharing some photos of Minerva’s adventure
After all the bling, Minerva wanted a Singapore Sling.

• Crimson

• 
• 
• 

Crimson...your Minerva is fabulous, and outshines all those VCA pieces imo! I love that shade of green-blue!

 

[Bookwyrm]

I love love love the design and setting of that ring you returned @Crimson. Do you have a finger shot?

Guess what? I worked out how to attach my big jadeite flower rings to my hair!!! And it’s pretty secure too! No hair pins so I won’t scratch the ring. They will get ever so much more wear from now on!!!

That is SO smart and pretty! I win I had enough hair to pull off a bun and hair ornament like that, but alas, I have the wispiest hair and can only ever do tiny buns

Those blue and yellow train seats! I also love looking at my bling on trains and buses haha

 

[Bookwyrm]

I think it's really interesting how jade can look so different in different lightings. I'm really hoping the pear will look as glowy in person as it does in the first couple of pictures. And hopefully not flat like the bottom two...

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Let us know when you get it!!!!! So excited for you!

Jade is one of those things where at some point, some of us bite the bullet and just buy it if we want it badly enough. My lavender has no certificate. It was either take it or leave it so I took it!

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

That is SO smart and pretty! I win I had enough hair to pull off a bun and hair ornament like that, but alas, I have the wispiest hair and can only ever do tiny buns

Those blue and yellow train seats! I also love looking at my bling on trains and buses haha

Let you in on a little secret! I have the saddest little bun ever if I only used my own hair.

I had a little help from these:

I just found this on AliExpress: AU$3.74 | Fashion Wig Ponytail Self-twisting Hair Bundles Pill Head Medium-length Simulation Hair Tie Type for Woman Daily Party Use

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqW6NXi

Seriously it is so hard to tell in real life because you’re mixing it with your real hair!

Random pic of jadeite so I don’t stray too far off topic!

 

[Crimson]

Crimson...your Minerva is fabulous, and outshines all those VCA pieces imo! I love that shade of green-blue!

Thank you I love Minerva and feel lucky to own her.
It is so funny that Minerva turned into an exhibit — people at the exhibition wanted to take photos of her and ask questions about her Even the VCA staff were quite taken with her.

 

[Crimson]

I think it's really interesting how jade can look so different in different lightings. I'm really hoping the pear will look as glowy in person as it does in the first couple of pictures. And hopefully not flat like the bottom two...

So exciting, @Bookwyrm !!! You have thought long and hard about it. i hope you will be pleased and happy with it. I think Kathy is trustworthy. Anyway, if you ever go to Singapore or Hong Kong you can just drop it off a the lab and get a cert in a few days!