Help me buy a jade bead necklace!

[Pinkmartini87]

Hi all,

I’m looking for an untreated jade bead necklace, budget up to $10000, and have been looking at this one and wondering if this is a good price for under $4000 (see report on website):

Graduated Jade Bead Necklace

A fresh and pretty early 20th century necklace composed of 45 light-to-medium apple green natural Jade beads - ranging from 6.88 millimeters to 9.67 millimeters. The necklace measures 16 inches long and closes with a silver clasp set with a matching carved jade oval.

www.langantiques.com

I’m also open to suggestions of reputable vendors in US.

(I tried looking at oversea vendors like Kathy Jade but site was hard to navigate given it was all in Chinese).

Calling @icy_jade and @Burmesedaze and all experts!

 

[Bron357]

Can’t offer much help here other than to say, my, thats sooooo pretty.
No 1 issue with all Jade is “is it treated?”
Does it come with a guarantee that’s it’s Grade A?
I always have more concern when the fittings aren’t high carat gold / platinum. I wouldn’t put $4,000 Jade beads with a silver clasp.
if it’s not A grade Jade $4,000 is probably $3800 too much.

 

[Pinkmartini87]

Can’t offer much help here other than to say, my, thats sooooo pretty.
No 1 issue with all Jade is “is it treated?”
Does it come with a guarantee that’s it’s Grade A?
I always have more concern when the fittings aren’t high carat gold / platinum. I wouldn’t put $4,000 Jade beads with a silver clasp.
if it’s not A grade Jade $4,000 is probably $3800 too much.

Thanks @Bron357, that’s a good point! Inexpensive silver setting—inexpensive beads? Hmm...

 

[Pinkmartini87]

Two other contenders:

Vintage Natural Burmese Jade Bead Strand With Diamond Clasp

This gorgeous strand of gently graduated jade beads, ranging from 6.8 to10.6 millimeters, dates back to the early-20th-century Edwardian/Art Deco period. Imbued by Mother Nature with a bright apple green coloration, the 16-inch-long necklace culminates in a stunning diamond-set safety clasp hand...

www.langantiques.com

Natural Apple Green Jade Beads

19 inches of graduated luscious apple green jade beads, ranging in size from 9.64 millimeters down to 4.11 millimeters, accompanied by a gemological report from Stone Group Labs stating: natural, no indications of polymers or dyes, Burma origin. White gold vintage style clasp.

www.langantiques.com

 

[Pinkmartini87]

I will say in my humble opinion that Lang’s is a reputable seller so I would trust what they sell, but prices perhaps is on the higher side (real estate in San Francisco is not cheap!), I suppose one pays for their reputation and curating abilities!

 

[icy_jade]

KATHY JADE 翡翠玉石專業直營店｜官方網站

台灣最大翡翠線上交易網，全球唯一翡翠礦主直營店，從開採到銷售「一條龍」式經營，免去各層盤商層層剝削，貨真價實，保證A貨，假一賠十，更有十天鑑償期的保證。

www.kathyjade.com

Does this help?

 

[icy_jade]

KATHY JADE 翡翠玉石專業直營店｜官方網站

台灣最大翡翠線上交易網，全球唯一翡翠礦主直營店，從開採到銷售「一條龍」式經營，免去各層盤商層層剝削，貨真價實，保證A貨，假一賠十，更有十天鑑償期的保證。

www.kathyjade.com

Maybe this one?

 

[Bron357]

I will say in my humble opinion that Lang’s is a reputable seller so I would trust what they sell, but prices perhaps is on the higher side (real estate in San Francisco is not cheap!), I suppose one pays for their reputation and curating abilities!

That first one for $4,000 doesn’t have a report, whereas the other two do.
Lang’s is reputable but if they aren’t saying that they are Grade A and polymer and dye free, then they could be.
And I also know that judging bead quality isn’t just on treatments. The more translucent the better. The more vivid green the better. The beads all look fairly opaque as opposed to more translucent.
Hopefully the Jade gurus can chime in. I can’t tell $50 Jade from $50,000 Jade.

 

[peacechick]

The first one has a lab report too. All three have a lab report from Stone Group Labs stating that the beads are jadeite and without polymer/dye. While it is not often mentioned here, I remember having seen the name of this lab before and someone saying it’s reliable. The reports are all signed by the owner, Bear Williams. You could contact the lab if you want more assurance about what tests they do.

 

[LilAlex]

I like Lang. Glad you didn't put up their $250K "Imperial" strand -- is that still for sale?

Stone Group is fine, imo. Lang sends a lot to them. Not sure I would use them for a Kashmir or Burma origin but I consider them very solid.

 

[Burmesedaze]

80sWhen it comes to beads, they are usually from material that they cut around flaws. Nothing wrong, but it also means for an entire strand, there will be at least several with cracks and fissures, just so you know.

If you want colour, you have to sacrifice on translucency. Vice versa as well, at a certain affordable price point. 10mm and up would be desirable.

I'm not in the market for one so I can't recommend. This one appeared a few weeks back... for about 80,000rmb (probably able to knock off 15% or so, didn't try as I'm not in the market for that). Light green with good water and translucency at 10mm.

Remember, jadeite supply is scarce now as the legal licenses for mines have mostly expired. Only scavengers and illegal miners working for small quantities. With COVID and now the coup, no fresh supply going to China currently. This means stock in China (which they certainly hold) has risen in price for better jadeite.

For higher end items and even so-called antique vintage ones, always worth asking if the price can be lowered. Older pieces may require re-polishing (waxing) to regain some lustre, especially for the more opaque variety that usually go dry over time when unworn.

Between cabochons and beads, the premium is for cabochons.

My 2 kyats' worth.

Hths!

 

[Adam95]

It is a nice necklace, but I prefer a large carving/pendant.

I like this by Mason Kay better. Mason Kay guarantees Grade A. I've only but small pieces <$1,000 from them but always had great experiences.





https://www.mkjadejewelry.com/jade-necklaces/estate-14k-yellow-gold-green-jadeite-jade-bead-necklace-upc-360785.html

 

[Adam95]

80sWhen it comes to beads, they are usually from material that they cut around flaws. Nothing wrong, but it also means for an entire strand, there will be at least several with cracks and fissures, just so you know.

If you want colour, you have to sacrifice on translucency. Vice versa as well, at a certain affordable price point. 10mm and up would be desirable.

I'm not in the market for one so I can't recommend. This one appeared a few weeks back... for about 80,000rmb (probably able to knock off 15% or so, didn't try as I'm not in the market for that). Light green with good water and translucency at 10mm.

Remember, jadeite supply is scarce now as the legal licenses for mines have mostly expired. Only scavengers and illegal miners working for small quantities. With COVID and now the coup, no fresh supply going to China currently. This means stock in China (which they certainly hold) has risen in price for better jadeite.

For higher end items and even so-called antique vintage ones, always worth asking if the price can be lowered. Older pieces may require re-polishing (waxing) to regain some lustre, especially for the more opaque variety that usually go dry over time when unworn.

Between cabochons and beads, the premium is for cabochons.

My 2 kyats' worth.

Hths!

This one is really nice but I think its too much blue

 

[Pinkmartini87]

@icy_jade Thank you! The link works great! I’ll take a look! Does Kathy Jade pieces come with certification that they are treatment free?

 

[Pinkmartini87]

The first one has a lab report too. All three have a lab report from Stone Group Labs stating that the beads are jadeite and without polymer/dye. While it is not often mentioned here, I remember having seen the name of this lab before and someone saying it’s reliable. The reports are all signed by the owner, Bear Williams. You could contact the lab if you want more assurance about what tests they do.

Thanks @peacechick for the additional info re stone lab, good to know they are perhaps reliable!

 

[Pinkmartini87]

I like Lang. Glad you didn't put up their $250K "Imperial" strand -- is that still for sale?

Stone Group is fine, imo. Lang sends a lot to them. Not sure I would use them for a Kashmir or Burma origin but I consider them very solid.

@LilAlex Haha I saw the imperial strand too, unfortunately just like many San Francisco real estate, way out of my budget! One can dream!

 

[Pinkmartini87]

@Burmesedaze Thank you for all the helpful info and helping to set my expectations, I really appreciate it!

 

[Pinkmartini87]

It is a nice necklace, but I prefer a large carving/pendant.

I like this by Mason Kay better. Mason Kay guarantees Grade A. I've only but small pieces <$1,000 from them but always had great experiences.



https://www.mkjadejewelry.com/jade-necklaces/estate-14k-yellow-gold-green-jadeite-jade-bead-necklace-upc-360785.html

Thanks for the link, I like that color as well. I prefer that shade of green and even a little white mixed in too. I will say Mason Kay is reliable but just like Lang’s perhaps a bit pricy although again, maybe worth the price to buy from them for the reassurance one gets. Like @Bron357 I can’t tell $50 from $500000 jade, so many treatments out there, maybe I would rather more and know I’m not buying glass lol

 

[icy_jade]

@icy_jade Thank you! The link works great! I’ll take a look! Does Kathy Jade pieces come with certification that they are treatment free?

No cert but you can ask for cert but bear the cost. Think they use Taiwan Union Lab of Gem Research ( TULAB) but best to check. Not really a beads person myself too

 

[Burmesedaze]

Taiwan has good jade labs. Best jade was in Taiwan before China opened up. There are a number of labs there that can even state down the jade mine the jade item is from, if it's one of the main mines with those jade characteristics.

Way more advanced than your GIA etc

For beads they usually test on several, not the entire strand. Or else that'd be cost prohibitive.

 

[Pinkmartini87]

@icy_jade and @Burmesedaze: thank you both!!