Questions for jadeite experts

[cflutist]

I inherited two jadeite pendants from my late mother and they are pretty but too fragile and thin for everyday wear.

Was shopping on the Internet and saw this.
Do not know if this is an honest vendor or not.

Their photo of the pendant is quite pleasing



However when I read the appraisal, the modifier grayish appears



What gives?

Do you have any trustworthy vendors that you can reccomend that don't sell died or fracture filled jadeite?

 

[shelovesinclusions]

That is a very pretty pendant. I don't like that the appraisal says no enhancement detected, but also does not specifically state that it is Type A jade. NAGL may not have an infared spectrometer, which is the tool that is used to absolutely determine if jade is A (untreated) or B (bleached for clarity) or B&C (bleached & color treated). That being said, this pendant doesn't look like amazing translucency and color, BUT I've always been told most jades are treated so if you want something unadulterated it should specify it is A. There is no AA or AAA as some vendors may advertise.

Ultimate Jadeite on Etsy has amazing stuff, is in Singapore and can get good reports at an additional cost. I love everything I've gotten from her. Also, Mason Kay is supposed to begin direct sales on their website sometime this summer. Era Gems is reputable, but I feel like priced really high. Good luck! There's such a steep learning curve with Jadeite and it is a big world of colors and designs.

 

[Bluegemz]

Just off hand, it doesn’t look like polymer filled B Jade other wise it would be much more translucent. Polymer treatment started in the mid 80’s and was pretty obvious on the early days, when you know what to look for. It’s gotten much more subtle recently, with even spot treated but otherwise natural bangles. It also doesn’t look dyed with modern dyes because the color would be more vivid. Clearly though the only way to know for sure is with testing. That piece seems like an older style, so it could well be before the 80’s. Also, dyes for jadeite used to be organic and faded, whereas now, they are synthetic, stable and bright.

Re carved pieces: they are usually carved to hide imperfections and fractures. There was a period where lower grade jadeite was used for carved ring and pendant cabs. One is paying primarily for the artistic harmony with these pieces, which brings out the qualities of the jade. Some can be expensive too, especially if they are beautiful. Keep in mind that a bright green jade is much more expensive than more subtle greens, and jade tends to be expensive, especially in the West.

Eragems has been, in my experience, a reputable seller but tend to be expensive. You can try to bargain them down. I purchased from them once and was able to do that.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Hiiiiiiii

Okay let me know if this link doesn't work!

https://www.facebook.com/jasminejadeite?__tn__=*s-R

@Burmesedaze and I have both bought stuff from this lady. I have never had it tested but Burmesedaze knows what she's doing and her jewellers tell her the pieces she bought are legit. haha therefore by extension I assume my stuff is legit!

This is also the same lady but here is her site for cheaper items.

https://www.facebook.com/myanmarjadeitejadependantwholesale/

PS definitely NOT an expert by the way (oh sooooo far from it)! I just bug Seaglow and Burmesedaze whenever I want help with jade.

 

[peacechick]

We definitely should compile this list of jadeite vendors, and submit it to the PS vendors thread. These suggestions are so useful.

 

[minousbijoux]

We definitely should compile this list of jadeite vendors, and submit it to the PS vendors thread. These suggestions are so useful.

An excellent idea.

 

[peacechick]

An excellent idea.

When I have time, I will comb the threads a bit and do it.

 

[LilAlex]

I think it's just the saturation that covers the range from grayish to moderately strong. For example, I see places where it is well-saturated and places where it looks grayish (like "8 o-clock" on the periphery for the latter). The center looks well-saturated to me.

 

[cflutist]

I guess my question is that I see different tone and saturation in the photos. I don't know if the photo on their website is enhanced via photoshop or not. If the actual piece has a tone and saturation as shown on the appraisal, I would not be interested in it. I am not looking for anything expensive such as Imperial Jade, just something that is natural and has a nice shade of green in it.

These are the pieces that I inherited from my late mom. I like the two pendants but they are too thin for everyday wear. I am a diamond gal, so I haven't figured out what to do with the rings or bangle bracelet. I have worn the two bracelets on the bottom.

 

[LilAlex]

Every photo is enhanced. In my experience, the picture-of-a-picture that is every online report looks worse than the vendor pictures of the same stone in 100% of listings, irrespective of vendor. Just ensure that there is a good return policy and expect to use it.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

I find jade terribly inaccurate in pics!

Here is an example of my necklace:
Photos from vendor




I had it restrung so the hook is different but here it is on me in a photo


on me in the sun



It showed up different in the videos she sent me too! I just asked for a lot of pics and looked at what I thought was the worse colour. That was acceptable to me so I bought it! But yes it is sooooo inaccurate!

 

[cflutist]

When the photos are so inaccurate, then how do you know what you are buying then, I mean, it is all about hue, tone, and saturation.

There is color communication software available based on the GIA color grading standards, but I don't know how well it would work with jadeite.

www.gemewizard.com/store-square.php

I am sure learning a lot from you all. Thank you very much.

 

[suzanne2]

I've seen these rings and bangle before and could look at them all day, everyday. I love the gold foil look on the bangle and each time I favorite a different ring. Today's favorite is the matchy matchy one on your middle finger. It's divine. If I saw you in a restaurant wearing these I would interrupt your dinner to grab your arm and ogle. I have NO shame. (My husband gets sooo embarrassed when I do this )

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

haha @suzanne2 My sister and I haven't approached anyone but we have been known to stare and lean to get a better view of gorgeous jewellery!

 

[suzanne2]

haha @suzanne2 My sister and I haven't approached anyone but we have been known to stare and lean to get a better view of gorgeous jewellery!

I've found that most people love compliments and so I give them out freely. I have a friend from may years ago who always, always says something nice when she sees me. Some little compliment. It's such a good feeling and I try to pass it on. Even to strangers. Especially if I want a closer look at their rings...One lady got scared when I approached her in Walmart. She was wearing the most astonishing cabochon ruby in a vintage setting and I must have been TOO admiring. She scuttled away, looking over her shoulder at me. LOL. I was tempted to follow her but I refrained, afraid I'd get arrested.

But to stay on topic - @cflutist, I'd chase you down!

 

[metall]

The pieces your mom left you are a very pretty. I am a sucker for that 24kt gold. That broach is adorable and just so yummy!

Personally I don't think that the two pendants look TOO thin, especially since it is a necklace. When I was around 6-10 (?) My grandfather gave me a Jade Gwan Yin that is just about the thickness of 10-15 sheets of paper that I wore everyday, (sleeping, waking, showering, etc) about the thickness of your tiger(?) pendant for years. I finally took it off when the red string that was holding it together snapped, but it held up quite a few years. And at that age you know how careful I was....I'm usually more worried about bangles, rings, dangle earrings that are more susceptible to being banged up.

My family tradition is that Jade is supposed to act like a little talisman that sucks up the bad energy around you, it's ok that it gets scratched up. Our superstition is that if you're REALLY in danger - the Jade will take the fall/hit/etc for you. Example - say you're walking along and trip and fall, you get up ok, no broken bones, cuts, sprains, etc - but your Jade piece is broken - then the Jade prevented you from taking a serious fall. So what you do is gather up the pieces, wrap it in (traditionally) silk, pray to give thanks and either bury the Jade or put it somewhere you can't really look at it again (release the bad energy).

 

[icy_jade]

Every photo is enhanced. In my experience, the picture-of-a-picture that is every online report looks worse than the vendor pictures of the same stone in 100% of listings, irrespective of vendor. Just ensure that there is a good return policy and expect to use it.

Not always true... allaboutjade has rubbish pics but the jade is usually better irl, and I found the kathyjade pic reasonably accurate...

But yeah always easier to buy irl.

 

[icy_jade]

I guess my question is that I see different tone and saturation in the photos. I don't know if the photo on their website is enhanced via photoshop or not. If the actual piece has a tone and saturation as shown on the appraisal, I would not be interested in it. I am not looking for anything expensive such as Imperial Jade, just something that is natural and has a nice shade of green in it.

These are the pieces that I inherited from my late mom. I like the two pendants but they are too thin for everyday wear. I am a diamond gal, so I haven't figured out what to do with the rings or bangle bracelet. I have worn the two bracelets on the bottom.

Your jade rings are too gorgeous not to wear. Such yummy colours!!! How about resetting them in earrings, pendant or even bracelet if it suits your style better?

 

[Bluegemz]

Yeah some appraisal pictures and some certification pics can be misleading...and then taking a picture of a picture can make it worse. Sometimes there are accurate pics though.