Evaluating jadeite (feicui)

[Crimson]

I also wanted to say a huge thank you to @Crimson and @mellowyellowgirl - thank you for all your help, feedback, and suggestions! <3 <3 (and for putting up with all my questions haha!)

I've liked jade for quite a while, but it just seemed so daunting as I knew nothing about how to judge jadeite and never felt comfortable enough to buy any jadeite pieces. This thread has been absolutely invaluable and so educational! I am so glad to have found this little jade-loving community on here

I think green jadeite might be my new favourite gemstone now! New addition to my wishlist: A deep forest/emerald green jadeite (pear or marquise or an organic-looking elongated shape) with awesome imperial-like glow!!

Wow! So happy to see your new profile pic @Bookwyrm.
It looks lovely on you. I like the proportions. Looks like a good size too.
I do love the deep forest green. It has an air of mystery. In the trade it is called “艳绿’”or intense green.
The inclusions are there, but I don’t think they are distracting. it is likely most people won’t notice them.
Glad that you now have a new fav stone! I could never get tired of jadeite because there are so many hues and forms.
Just for fun - here is a huge honey jadeite pendant.
One of my friends, who is based in London, saw it online and liked it, so I went to help her have a look for her. It is as big as a biscuit! It also reminds me of marmalade.

 

[Bookwyrm]

@Crimson Thank you! I love the proportions of this pear too – literally my favourite ratio! I think the jadeite itself isn’t that big (slightly over 11mm in length and 8mm in width) but my fingers are really thin, so I remember when I first put it on, I was like wow, this is preeeetty big. I ended up going with a US size 4.5 just to get it over my big knuckles, and added these the little spiral ring adjusters that seem to help a lot with twisting and shifting. I will probably add them onto my other rings too.

And yes! I do think ‘yan lu’ is what Kathy Jade told me once, but I completely forgot until you mentioned it now. You are truly a jade expert!

I do think this pear appears a little less bright compared to imperial jadeite, and doesn’t have as much glow. Do you think it’s possible for darker pieces of a ‘yan lu’ colour to have as much glow as imperial jade? I feel like imperial jade usually looks slightly lighter but brighter and more vibrant compared to ‘yan lu’. Does a darker green colour impede glow, or does glow have nothing to do with the shade and more to do with chromium content and transparency?

And oh my gosh, that is one BIG pendant haha! Do you like honey jade too? I don’t think I’ve seen any in person before.

 

[Bookwyrm]

And hmmmm do you think it's hard to find imperial jadeite (or near imperial pieces that are very glowy) in marquise, freeform or pear shapes? I feel like most of the imperial/near imperial pieces I've seen online are ovals (and also huge! - why are they always so big!), and I've only ever seen one imperial marquise on 1st dibs, and that's about it

It's interesting how marquise shapes are usually referred to as 'horse eye' when it comes to jadeite!

I also really like these freeform leafy-looking shapes, although I have no idea what they're called.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Thought you ladies might enjoy my sister’s pendant. I wish I’d bought one too at the time!

Indoor


Natural light

 

[Crimson]

And hmmmm do you think it's hard to find imperial jadeite (or near imperial pieces that are very glowy) in marquise, freeform or pear shapes? I feel like most of the imperial/near imperial pieces I've seen online are ovals (and also huge! - why are they always so big!), and I've only ever seen one imperial marquise on 1st dibs, and that's about it

It's interesting how marquise shapes are usually referred to as 'horse eye' when it comes to jadeite!

I also really like these freeform leafy-looking shapes, although I have no idea what they're called.

Yes, I love the term “horse eye” for Marquis shaped stones. I think it’s so appropriate.
I like those swirly shapes that you posted, too. KathyJade calls them “flowing” shapes.
No, I am not fan of yellow, orange, brown or honey Jadeite. They doesn’t go with my skin tone.
Here are two photos that I took at classic Jade when I visited them some months ago. There is a Marquise!

 

[Crimson]

Thought you ladies might enjoy my sister’s pendant. I wish I’d bought one too at the time!

Indoor


Natural light

Such to buy jewellery together! I am sure the shop was very happy

 

[Crimson]

If I had a dollar for every time I wore jade or pearls with t-shirts and fuzzy slippers, I'd be rich. I work from home in IT, where staff works from pajama pants (so they say, that stays off camera).

Haha! I have a “noticeable jewellery’ policy for my online meetings and webinars.
I have a zoom tomorrow and am going to wear my new ring.
Oops I let it slip. I have left Ban Island again….

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Haha! I have a “noticeable jewellery’ policy for my online meetings and webinars.
I have a zoom tomorrow and am going to wear my new ring.
Oops I let it slip. I have left Ban Island again….

I just read this comment and ran off to see if you posted in the new purchases thread.

Plzzzzzzzz show us what you bought!!!!!!

I’m still in Ban Island. I’m hiding from my jewellers.

 

[Crimson]

I just read this comment and ran off to see if you posted in the new purchases thread.

Plzzzzzzzz show us what you bought!!!!!!

I’m still in Ban Island. I’m hiding from my jewellers.

Sorry @mellowyellowgirl I can’t post them yet. I need to recover. There is no escaping jewellery stores in Singapore. I live on jewelllery island
An innocent stroll after lunch led me to buy something that will appear on the Minerva thread when I can face up to it.
Then I saw this ring which seemed to from a fantasy tale. I loved it so much that I bought it. Then I saw a pendant that matches it and so on…. @MMtwo would understand
Showing it here with my icy jadeite earrings. to legitimize,posting it here
@Bookwyrm, the earrings are made with flowing shapes - like a fluid marquise shape!

 

[MMtwo]

How pretty! Love the earrings and the ring. The earrings have a very alluring shape and fits/sits perfectly on your ear. l It is fit for a princess ring.

It would be so hard to manage living on jewelllery island. I would do nothing but shop.

"Then I saw a pendant that matches it and so on…. @MMtwo would understand "
Oh I do, I do.

 

[Bookwyrm]

Yes, I love the term “horse eye” for Marquis shaped stones. I think it’s so appropriate.
I like those swirly shapes that you posted, too. KathyJade calls them “flowing” shapes.
No, I am not fan of yellow, orange, brown or honey Jadeite. They doesn’t go with my skin tone.
Here are two photos that I took at classic Jade when I visited them some months ago. There is a Marquise!

I wish those 'flowing' shapes were more popular

Oh my, that is one BIG marquise! I don't think I don't know if I'll ever be able to pull off something that big! One of my friends commented that my pear ring looked quite big on my finger, and it's only 11mm in length haha

Crimson...I love your new ring!!! It reminds me of Arwen's pendant from Lord of the Rings...but prettier! Is the design considered vintage?

 

[Bookwyrm]

How pretty! Love the earrings and the ring. The earrings have a very alluring shape and fits/sits perfectly on your ear. l It is fit for a princess ring.

It would be so hard to manage living on jewelllery island. I would do nothing but shop.

"Then I saw a pendant that matches it and so on…. @MMtwo would understand "
Oh I do, I do.

Fit for an Elvish princess!

Annnd if I lived in Singapore, my wallet would be crying for sure

 

[Crimson]

How pretty! Love the earrings and the ring. The earrings have a very alluring shape and fits/sits perfectly on your ear. l It is fit for a princess ring.

It would be so hard to manage living on jewelllery island. I would do nothing but shop.

"Then I saw a pendant that matches it and so on…. @MMtwo would understand "
Oh I do, I do.

@MMtwo Thank you for understanding. I hope you will visit Jewellery Island one day!

I wish those 'flowing' shapes were more popular

Oh my, that is one BIG marquise! I don't think I don't know if I'll ever be able to pull off something that big! One of my friends commented that my pear ring looked quite big on my finger, and it's only 11mm in length haha

I do too. I shall keep a lookout for more marquise and flowy shapes for you. I saw some online at Lang Antiques but they don’t seem very glowy.
I just noticed my howling typo. It should be “don’t” and not “doesn’t”., LOL I added other colors after simply typing “honey”, but I forgot to change the rest of the sentence.

Crimson...I love your new ring!!! It reminds me of Arwen's pendant from Lord of the Rings...but prettier! Is the design considered vintage?

Ooh, exactly what I thought! I visit The Noble Collection whenever I am London. They have faithful replicas of jewellery and props used in movies such as LOTR. When I saw my ring I immediately thought of this pendant and the Galadriel headdress https://www.noblecollection.com/Item--i-PRP-HB-1362
I don’t think my ring is a vintage design. It is just a whimscal piece. There are some Celtic elements. It was a one-of-a-kind designer piece from the Jewellery store, made with 18K gold and small diamonds.

Fit for an Elvish princess!

Annnd if I lived in Singapore, my wallet would be crying for sure

Haha, my usual catch up with friends is - tea or lunch followed by a visit to jewellery stores.

 

[Bookwyrm]

I do too. I shall keep a lookout for more marquise and flowy shapes for you. I saw some online at Lang Antiques but they don’t seem very glowy.
I just noticed my howling typo. It should be “don’t” and not “doesn’t”., LOL I added other colors after simply typing “honey”, but I forgot to change the rest of the sentence.

Awww thank you! If you ever do find one, that's the excuse I need to visit Singapore and see it in person haha!
I've kind of given up on finding a nice marquise or flowy shape in Australian stores - the 2 marquise rings I've seen here were both so overpriced

And I swear I didn't even notice the typo!

Ooh, exactly what I thought! I visit The Noble Collection whenever I am London. They have faithful replicas of jewellery and props used in movies such as LOTR. When I saw my ring I immediately thought of this pendant and the Galadriel headdress https://www.noblecollection.com/Item--i-PRP-HB-1362
I don’t think my ring is a vintage design. It is just a whimscal piece. There are some Celtic elements. It was a one-of-a-kind designer piece from the Jewellery store, made with 18K gold and small diamonds.

Ah ha! I figured out how to use the reply function!
Awww I'd LOVE to visit that Collection someday - I must check out this website now!
Elvish jewellery is always so pretty and whimsical...if only those crowns/headpieces were still in fashion nowadays...

This is a bit random, but I found this opal store today, and a lot of their pieces are really artsy and I love how they all seem to have a story/theme going on! They also have a really large selection of loose opals that can be used for custom pieces. I saw 3 big boxes today and my gosh, I've never seen opals that nice in person before! And they said from the 28th-30th, they're having an event where they're bringing in over 10 more boxes!!!
https://cindyxu.jewelry/

Haha, my usual catch up with friends is - tea or lunch followed by a visit to jewellery stores.

That sounds so lovely! None of my friends like jewellery as much as me, so I try not to spend toooo much time staring at jewellery when we go shopping haha

I dragged my friend into some of the Chinatown jewellery shops today, and we saw a marquise jadeite ring that was around the same shade/translucency as my pear ring, and the shop assistant said it was over 100k, which is crazy!! The marquise was around the same size (and a bit thinner) than my pear too! I don't know if they actually expect to sell it for that much, or if they're expecting people to haggle or something...

 

[DKT]

Hi, has anyone purchased from Kathy Jade's stores in Taiwan? Do you negotiate prices? Just asking as I may have a chance to visit them in Jan

 

[MMtwo]

Not sure about negotiation, but I just wrecked havoc on my wallet during their annual sale. I have been happy with everything. They also sell in the US as Koojade on eBay with considerable mark-up. You can buy directly from the Kathy Jade site though (with translate enabled).

 

[Bookwyrm]

Hi, has anyone purchased from Kathy Jade's stores in Taiwan? Do you negotiate prices? Just asking as I may have a chance to visit them in Jan

Hello! I just purchased a ring online from Kathy Jade during their 20% off sale, but I think that sale just ended a couple days ago. I don't know if they'd be open to negotiating prices, but you could try asking them through email if they're able to do a small discount. They were really good with answering my bajillions of questions, but it sometimes just took a couple of days between replies.
Which pieces are you looking at?

 

[DKT]

Hello! I just purchased a ring online from Kathy Jade during their 20% off sale, but I think that sale just ended a couple days ago. I don't know if they'd be open to negotiating prices, but you could try asking them through email if they're able to do a small discount. They were really good with answering my bajillions of questions, but it sometimes just took a couple of days between replies.
Which pieces are you looking at?

I'v been admiring your ring I do not have any specific piece in mind, but will make a trip to Taipei in January so thought of dropping by.

Not sure about negotiation, but I just wrecked havoc on my wallet during their annual sale. I have been happy with everything. They also sell in the US as Koojade on eBay with considerable mark-up. You can buy directly from the Kathy Jade site though (with translate enabled).

Thanks! I'm trying very hard not to buy jewellery online.

 

[Crimson]

Awww thank you! If you ever do find one, that's the excuse I need to visit Singapore and see it in person haha!
I've kind of given up on finding a nice marquise or flowy shape in Australian stores - the 2 marquise rings I've seen here were both so overpriced

And I swear I didn't even notice the typo!

Ah ha! I figured out how to use the reply function!
Awww I'd LOVE to visit that Collection someday - I must check out this website now!
Elvish jewellery is always so pretty and whimsical...if only those crowns/headpieces were still in fashion nowadays...

This is a bit random, but I found this opal store today, and a lot of their pieces are really artsy and I love how they all seem to have a story/theme going on! They also have a really large selection of loose opals that can be used for custom pieces. I saw 3 big boxes today and my gosh, I've never seen opals that nice in person before! And they said from the 28th-30th, they're having an event where they're bringing in over 10 more boxes!!!
https://cindyxu.jewelry/



That sounds so lovely! None of my friends like jewellery as much as me, so I try not to spend toooo much time staring at jewellery when we go shopping haha

I dragged my friend into some of the Chinatown jewellery shops today, and we saw a marquise jadeite ring that was around the same shade/translucency as my pear ring, and the shop assistant said it was over 100k, which is crazy!! The marquise was around the same size (and a bit thinner) than my pear too! I don't know if they actually expect to sell it for that much, or if they're expecting people to haggle or something...

Thanks, @Bookwyrm! Oh dear,100K is too much for a thin piece of jadeite, no matter how good the water. It is outright fleecing, no point bargaining.
I looked a the opal site. Thank heavens am not in Sydney or I would find them hard to resist. I am not an opal fan but I find the designs attractive, because they emerge from the stone. They are so whimsical and fun! Another ten boxes…
Speaking of whimsical, this qilin from Kathy Jade is so cute. It looks as if it is on a skateboard.

 

[Bookwyrm]

Thanks, @Bookwyrm! Oh dear,100K is too much for a thin piece of jadeite, no matter how good the water. It is outright fleecing, no point bargaining.
I looked a the opal site. Thank heavens am not in Sydney or I would find them hard to resist. I am not an opal fan but I find the designs attractive, because they emerge from the stone. They are so whimsical and fun! Another ten boxes…
Speaking of whimsical, this qilin from Kathy Jade is so cute. It looks as if it is on a skateboard.

Ahh I guess I will not be buying any jadeite from Australian stores

Awww it kind of looks like a qilin on a magic carpet too! I've been keeping an eye on Kathy Jade's new arrivals, but no glowy marquise/flowy shapes so far, sadly

These are so adorable though!

 

[Crimson]

@Bookwyrm I was looking at those cute creatures yesterday too!
Let’s include the panda that @MMtwo liked. I didn’t realize it was so plump and cute until she posted it on her thread. Reposting it here.

Umm I will be having tea and then going Jewellery shopping with a friend tomorrow so I shall look for marquises and flowy shapes.

 

[Bookwyrm]

@Bookwyrm I was looking at those cute creatures yesterday too!
Let’s include the panda that @MMtwo liked. I didn’t realize it was so plump and cute until she posted it on her thread. Reposting it here.

That is the cutest chonky plump panda!!

I would love to get one of those tiny birds nest jade rings one day. Knowing me, I'd probably bang it into everything though

Umm I will be having tea and then going Jewellery shopping with a friend tomorrow so I shall look for marquises and flowy shapes.

Thank you so much!! <3 I hope you have lots of fun!

 

[MMtwo]

Awww thank you! If you ever do find one, that's the excuse I need to visit Singapore and see it in person haha!
I've kind of given up on finding a nice marquise or flowy shape in Australian stores - the 2 marquise rings I've seen here were both so overpriced

And I swear I didn't even notice the typo!

Ah ha! I figured out how to use the reply function!
Awww I'd LOVE to visit that Collection someday - I must check out this website now!
Elvish jewellery is always so pretty and whimsical...if only those crowns/headpieces were still in fashion nowadays...

This is a bit random, but I found this opal store today, and a lot of their pieces are really artsy and I love how they all seem to have a story/theme going on! They also have a really large selection of loose opals that can be used for custom pieces. I saw 3 big boxes today and my gosh, I've never seen opals that nice in person before! And they said from the 28th-30th, they're having an event where they're bringing in over 10 more boxes!!!
https://cindyxu.jewelry/



That sounds so lovely! None of my friends like jewellery as much as me, so I try not to spend toooo much time staring at jewellery when we go shopping haha

I dragged my friend into some of the Chinatown jewellery shops today, and we saw a marquise jadeite ring that was around the same shade/translucency as my pear ring, and the shop assistant said it was over 100k, which is crazy!! The marquise was around the same size (and a bit thinner) than my pear too! I don't know if they actually expect to sell it for that much, or if they're expecting people to haggle or something...

No kidding! I do think jadeite is imported to the US and sold for a premium. The price of jade is crazy in general.

I love your new ring, and it is so beautiful on. I hope you are enjoying the view!

 

[MMtwo]

@Bookwyrm I was looking at those cute creatures yesterday too!
Let’s include the panda that @MMtwo liked. I didn’t realize it was so plump and cute until she posted it on her thread. Reposting it here.

Umm I will be having tea and then going Jewellery shopping with a friend tomorrow so I shall look for marquises and flowy shapes.

I am so excited!
He is just soooo cute and fat, a little dumpling of a bear, sending a hug from the land of no jade stores

 

[Bookwyrm]

No kidding! I do think jadeite is imported to the US and sold for a premium. The price of jade is crazy in general.

It's definitely crazy in Australia, sadly I feel like prices here are so inconsistent too; different shop assisstants will give different prices and the difference in price for a marquise was like over 20k once! I'm so curious about how they come up with these prices smh...

I love your new ring, and it is so beautiful on. I hope you are enjoying the view!

Awww thank you!! <3 I'm loving this shade of green, and the setting has grown on me. I still think it's a bit too fancy and sparkly (blasphemy, I know) so I'll probably eventually have it reset, maybe into an organic, nature-inspired setting with prongs that cover the inclusion on the right side Maybe something like these two pictures, but that would be quite a bit down the line - I am incredibly indecisive when it comes to settings, so I might as well enjoy the pear in its current setting for a couple months haha

I am so excited!
He is just soooo cute and fat, a little dumpling of a bear, sending a hug from the land of no jade stores

He is!! The cutest little bao bun! Did you purchase this piece?!

 

[Bookwyrm]

@Crimson I was wondering, is imperial jadeite the glowiest type of green jadeite, or are there other shades of green that are just as glowy? I find it really hard to tell when browsing online whether a piece will be glowy in person or not, as the pictures always look really good

 

[Bookwyrm]

@mellowyellowgirl I saw this heart pendant on Kathy Jade and it reminded me of the ring in your profile!

 

[Crimson]

I am so excited!
He is just soooo cute and fat, a little dumpling of a bear, sending a hug from the land of no jade stores

@MMtwo I had a such an enjoyable Jewellery day! Hope you will enjoy the jadeite pics below.

@Crimson I was wondering, is imperial jadeite the glowiest type of green jadeite, or are there other shades of green that are just as glowy? I find it really hard to tell when browsing online whether a piece will be glowy in person or not, as the pictures always look really good

Yes, there is sun green which isn’t so much glowy as it is bright and arresting. Will post more later but for now, look, marquise rings! The prices are in Singapore dollars.
Which is your favorite? I do have a favorite among them but would like to hear your views!

 

[Bookwyrm]

Yes, there is sun green which isn’t so much glowy as it is bright and arresting. Will post more later but for now, look, marquise rings! The prices are in Singapore dollars.
Which is your favorite? I do have a favorite among them but would like to hear your views!

Thank you so much Crimson - You did the impossible! Are all 4 of these from one shop?!

Hmmmmmmmmmmm gosh picking one feels like a multiple choice question

Hmmm I think the 21.5k one might be my favourite as the colour appears deeper (do you know what type of green this is?) and I think it might be slightly more translucent?
The 15k one appears slightly brighter though (to my untrained eyes haha), but less translucent? Actually, looking again at the 2nd last picture you posted, I really can't tell which one looks the most translucent...
Is the 33k one the deepest shade of green? I can't really tell how translucent it is, or out why it costs over 10k more than the others.
The 6k one is a bit too small, but is it just me or is it super glowy?

Thank you again for helping me look for marquise jadeite pieces! <3

 

[Crimson]

No kidding! I do think jadeite is imported to the US and sold for a premium. The price of jade is crazy in general.

I love your new ring, and it is so beautiful on. I hope you are enjoying the view!

Yes I think prices are higher in the US, Europe, and Australia, and the knowledge of jadeite is not as deep as that for of say, diamonds. That makes it possible for vendors to sell mediocre or low quality pieces for prices that are not low;
Speaking of crazy…. This is too my breath away.
Imperial green, brimming with water, and elegant elongated shape.