The Clueless Jade Collector (MM's Jade thread)

[MMtwo]

I wanted to begin a thread to serve as a caution and celebration of jades (both jadeite and nephrite). It was a rocky start a few months ago. As an absolute novice, I bought some "jade" online from various (and nefarious) places. I think I collected "Grade A" glass, quartzite and maybe a jade, but it was so bleached and processed I can't tell. I learned to test for Specific Gravity and these three imposters weren't even close. That was a collective 300.00 lesson in jade. I hope you (if you are just starting out too) will let me serve as a caution. I don't mind wearing a dunce cap if it saves you the pain.

I then jumped onto a jade thread (or two) for help, and am very thankful for input. A little late in the game realized I should have moved off the thread sooner. My beginner mistakes were embarrassing on a thread full of wonderful jadeite jewelry of a very fine caliber. I was like a bad tourist Sorry ladies and gentlemen. I appreciate your graciousness.

Happily, in this period of time, I also bought a couple of modest pieces from The Jade Mine online and was happy to see that the Canadian Nephrite jade was exactly as advertised. I read it before, but now firmly believe it - new buyers need to stay with safe/proven sellers.

Meanwhile, I was directed to a couple of jade groups on facebook to learn more. Mostly they are miner's groups in BC Canada and Western USA, but it has been an education. I learned carving jade is demanding work. I have also purchased a couple of books on Jade. I even bought one from Google Books that is translated from "A collection of detailed knowledge and skills on the identification, evaluation and gambling of jade raw stones. The book is about 300,000 words, and can be regarded as an encyclopedia on the evaluation of jade raw materials（赌石）." the translation is poor is not close enough to understand.

I am also interested in jadeite from Myanmar. Talk about a fish out of water. Also, trying to figure jade out obviously makes me think about the strong cultural lines that are woven into jade. Is loving jadeite jade in any way cultural appropriation? I figure I am okay in a bangle but I am shy to wear jewelry with obvious cultural references I do not understand. Another mistake waiting to happen Still, I find them very beautiful and artistic and enjoy looking at them.

Just some thoughts - more later. Learning about jade has been very humbling so far.

 

[MMtwo]

Not my mistake, but my newest bangle from Ultimate Jadite in Singapore. I am very excited about this bangle. It is untreated, as I believe all of her items are. Several on here and other forums have mentioned their success buying from this vendor, so I feel comfortable. She is a lovely person to deal with and sent me a few "peek" pictures.She was good to disclose that this bangle has stone lines. I am fine with them - they add character.

 

[strawrose]

Awesome! As a Chinese woman, I don’t care. I’ve seen Asian people wear French-Rococo historically accurate outfits. Nobody batted an eyelash. Enjoy the lovely stone!

 

[MMtwo]

Awesome! As a Chinese woman, I don’t care. I’ve seen Asian people wear French-Rococo historically accurate outfits. Nobody batted an eyelash. Enjoy the lovely stone!

That is very kind of you to say. Thank you. Maybe as I know more I will find things that are better than others to wear without offense.

I remember back in the '80s (I'm old) when a teenage girl was wearing a very cute shirt at the mall with panda bears and Chinese characters. There was a panda craze in the 1980s as two pandas were gifted to the US from China. So pandas were everywhere.

An older Asian lady started to yell at the girl and was very upset at her shirt. We found out it had a sweet picture but apparently pornographic or obscene words of some type. OOPS.

 

[Bron357]

Here’s my novice Jade purchase from eBay for $200.
I’ve wanted a green jade bangle for ages and I needed a large size. Unfortunately for me most bangles are sized for petite hands/ wrists.
Ive done enough reading to understand that buying “jade” is a minefield. Even a bangle sold at Sotheby’s for tens of thousands turned out to be treated, such is the current sophistication of treatments. The value and desirability of jadeite means theres a great risk of deception.
Im very pleased with my purchase. It is jadeite and not glass, quartzite or serpentine. For my modest outlay I can hope it’s grade B but if it’s grade C it doesn’t matter. I bought it for its “look”. One day, when I’ve saved up and learnt more I will buy, hopefully, a jade A !

 

[MMtwo]

Here’s my novice Jade purchase from eBay for $200.
I’ve wanted a green jade bangle for ages and I needed a large size. Unfortunately for me most bangles are sized for petite hands/ wrists.
Ive done enough reading to understand that buying “jade” is a minefield. Even a bangle sold at Sotheby’s for tens of thousands turned out to be treated, such is the current sophistication of treatments. The value and desirability of jadeite means theres a great risk of deception.
Im very pleased with my purchase. It is jadeite and not glass, quartzite or serpentine. For my modest outlay I can hope it’s grade B but if it’s grade C it doesn’t matter. I bought it for its “look”. One day, when I’ve saved up and learnt more I will buy, hopefully, a jade A !

I'm so glad you brought your bangle. I feel your pain. I wear a 63 with minimal work to get it on. I have purchased a 61 in a cheap fake bangle just to see if I can size down further.
Your bangle is very pretty. That is as much real help as I have! It does have the look of jadite.

Did you try to see if it reacted under UV?

 

[Bron357]

Mines a 63mm, it’s nigh impossible to find larger sizes isn’t it! I was thinking I’d have to buy a hinged one!
no reaction under UV and it has what i think are called “stone lines”.
it was pre loved and the box it came in was very well made, real silk, so I’m hopeful it’s “better” quality ie grade B. it doesn’t matter, I’ve paid more for costume jewellery (Swarovski type) bracelets!

 

[MMtwo]

@Bron357 sounds like you did very well! Ultimate Jadite had a few to select in a 61+ and it's easier to size on Etsy. Mays in Australia has a few. (great exchange rate). I bought a grey one from there last week. I am waiting to examine it first hand. Other than that, not sure about other sellers for larger jadeite bangles. It would be good to have more sources.



For Nephrite, several Western Jade type facebook groups have plenty of artisans that will make a bangle. The blue Guatemala jadeite is also an interest.

 

[strawrose]

That is very kind of you to say. Thank you. Maybe as I know more I will find things that are better than others to wear without offense.

I remember back in the '80s (I'm old) when a teenage girl was wearing a very cute shirt at the mall with panda bears and Chinese characters. There was a panda craze in the 1980s as two pandas were gifted to the US from China. So pandas were everywhere.

An older Asian lady started to yell at the girl and was very upset at her shirt. We found out it had a sweet picture but apparently pornographic or obscene words of some type. OOPS.

It’s a good thing we have google translate with a photo option. as long as you treat our culture with respect, I think it’s fine.

 

[MMtwo]

oops, I bought this a little quickly at auction. I should have looked closer at the jade, I am suspicious it may be chrysoprase. Guess I'll find out soon. It was inexpensive enough I can enjoy it either way. Basically I paid gold price.
Gambling

 

[Bron357]

oops, I bought this a little quickly at auction. I should have looked closer at the jade, I am suspicious it may be chrysoprase. Guess I'll find out soon. It was inexpensive enough I can enjoy it either way. Basically I paid gold price.
Gambling

That’s my philosophy too, if I like the look of it and I’m happy with the price, it’s a bonus if it turns out “better”.

 

[icy_jade]

Not my mistake, but my newest bangle from Ultimate Jadite in Singapore. I am very excited about this bangle. It is untreated, as I believe all of her items are. Several on here and other forums have mentioned their success buying from this vendor, so I feel comfortable. She is a lovely person to deal with and sent me a few "peek" pictures.She was good to disclose that this bangle has stone lines. I am fine with them - they add character.

Did you ask for a local cert? Would be worth the extra cost if charged as it is much cheaper to get the cert here and Nanyang (the local lab) is definitely reliable for jadeite testing.

 

[MMtwo]

@Bron357 We'll win a few and lose a few

@icy_jade Her website says NGI certification costs an additional 70 USD. Is this the same lab?
PS: Thanks for the thought. I will certainly ask about it for the next time.

 

[icy_jade]

@Bron357 We'll win a few and lose a few

@icy_jade Her website says NGI certification costs an additional 70 USD. Is this the same lab?
PS: Thanks for the thought. I will certainly ask about it for the next time.

Yes same lab. I usually do it for pricier jadeite and skip if it’s a cheap item.

 

[MMtwo]

Yes same lab. I usually do it for pricier jadeite and skip if it’s a cheap item.

I will certainly do it next time I buy a pricier bangle. I do appreciate the peace of mind.

 

[MMtwo]

As I started this thread partly as a caution, I want to share my first "jade" purchases. I am not sure what they are, but I know what they aren't. The deep green actually has a lovely chime. I do not see any bubbles, but it feels like glass or leaded crystal.

Deep green glass-like bangle SG 2.53
Mottled green stone bangle SG 2.62
Light green bangle SG 2.65

Wasted money.

Cost of lessons,

 

[MMtwo]

A couple of rock samples from an Etsy Seller: Tony @ JadeCarvingCanada He has lovely hand carved beads. The blue bead is Guatemalan jadeite. Cabachon is Polar Jade nephrite and the leaf is a hand-carved green nephrite.

 

[MMtwo]

well, the ring came. I have no idea what it is, It looks very fine-grained. There is (what appears to be) a healed stone line and a tiny patch of bright green on the end of the stone. Not sure what it is, but I am sure I like it.

I'm open to feedback!.

 

[MMtwo]

The ring is chalcedony. Oh well, I'll still wear it.
My new jadite bangle is stacked with the nephrite. Not sure the best spacer, so used a silver bangle.

 

[stracci2000]

The ring is chalcedony. Oh well, I'll still wear it.
My new jadite bangle is stacked with the nephrite. Not sure the best spacer, so used a silver bangle.

I love this look! Jade bangles are very special, and I wear mine 24/7. I am not Asian, but I have loved jade since I was a little girl.

 

[MMtwo]

I love this look! Jade bangles are very special, and I wear mine 24/7. I am not Asian, but I have loved jade since I was a little girl.

Thank you. I'm a little leery about wearing them together. If anyone reads this and thinks it could be a danger, kindly let me know please. I feel better when I wear jade. My father and grandmother both loved it too. Right now, I have a small obsession with it. It has been fun to watch and learn what I can.
I really enjoyed this 2 part documentary.

I would love to see the bangle you wear, @stracci2000. Do I recall a thread where you say you had one and it broke and you replaced it?

 

[MMtwo]

Oh, and got busy on eBay this morning. I bought a jadeite necklace that I will restring into one or two bracelets. Also a cabochon from an estate. I assume traditional treatment means only plum wash and wax, but honestly not sure if it means much of anything. One thing I have learned in jade: buyer beware. If I like it enough, I may send it into Mason-Kay for cert. Seller auction photos.

 

[stracci2000]

Thank you. I'm a little leery about wearing them together. If anyone reads this and thinks it could be a danger, kindly let me know please. I feel better when I wear jade. My father and grandmother both loved it too. Right now, I have a small obsession with it. It has been fun to watch and learn what I can.
I really enjoyed this 2 part documentary.

I would love to see the bangle you wear, @stracci2000. Do I recall a thread where you say you had one and it broke and you replaced it?

Yes, you can see the broken bangle in this "family" shot. The epoxy worked for a while, but I was handling it just the other day and it came apart in my hand.
My very first bangle is the green dyed one with the sterling cuffs. I knew it was dyed, but I was swayed by the color. I should have known better, but this was before PS.
I wore it from 1997 till 2004 when it developed 2 hairline cracks. So I fashioned sterling cuffs to reinforce it.
The green and yellow one was worn from 2006 till just recently. My current bangle is the one in the foreground.
My Dad bought me the sterling and nephrite ring when I was 12 years old, so it is very special to me! I would love to have a fabulous Imperial color ring, like some of our other lovely PS ladies!

 

[MMtwo]

Yes, you can see the broken bangle in this "family" shot. The epoxy worked for a while, but I was handling it just the other day and it came apart in my hand.
My very first bangle is the green dyed one with the sterling cuffs. I knew it was dyed, but I was swayed by the color. I should have known better, but this was before PS.
I wore it from 1997 till 2004 when it developed 2 hairline cracks. So I fashioned sterling cuffs to reinforce it.
The green and yellow one was worn from 2006 till just recently. My current bangle is the one in the foreground.
My Dad bought me the sterling and nephrite ring when I was 12 years old, so it is very special to me! I would love to have a fabulous Imperial color ring, like some of our other lovely PS ladies!

Thank you for the picture and history of your jade collecting. I love your newest bangle. It looks like it has a nice transparency. May I ask where you purchased it? I havent had much luck locating one like that in a larger size, save big big $$$$. The older bangle with honey is also nice. I like your silversmithing on the green bangle. It is so personal. How sweet of your dad to buy you a ring so young. That is really a treasure.

 

[stracci2000]

Thank you for the picture and history of your jade collecting. I love your newest bangle. It looks like it has a nice transparency. May I ask where you purchased it? I havent had much luck locating one like that in a larger size, save big big $$$$. The older bangle with honey is also nice. I like your silversmithing on the green bangle. It is so personal. How sweet of your dad to buy you a ring so young. That is really a treasure.

I got really lucky and found my current bangle at a thrift store. I couldn't believe my eyes. Hardly worn, no scratches or signs of wear.
It was exactly what I had been scouring Ebay searching for. I guess I was in the right place at the right time!

 

[Bron357]

Take a chance on me!
i thought this worth a chance.
seller lives in an expensive suburb, seller has other high value items for sale and even if the certificate is fake, it’s a better quality fake ha ha.
It may not fit me but whatever. I’ll try the plastic bag trick ha ha.
$240 AUD so about $162 US

 

[MMtwo]

Take a chance on me!
i thought this worth a chance.
seller lives in an expensive suburb, seller has other high value items for sale and even if the certificate is fake, it’s a better quality fake ha ha.
It may not fit me but whatever. I’ll try the plastic bag trick ha ha.
$240 AUD so about $162 US

It's pretty So if you like it, no loss! You just never know.

 

[MMtwo]

I got really lucky and found my current bangle at a thrift store. I couldn't believe my eyes. Hardly worn, no scratches or signs of wear.
It was exactly what I had been scouring Ebay searching for. I guess I was in the right place at the right time!

That part is so fun - the hunt.

 

[voce]

Take a chance on me!
i thought this worth a chance.
seller lives in an expensive suburb, seller has other high value items for sale and even if the certificate is fake, it’s a better quality fake ha ha.
It may not fit me but whatever. I’ll try the plastic bag trick ha ha.
$240 AUD so about $162 US

It looks beautiful. Good luck, hope it fits!

 

[stracci2000]

Take a chance on me!
i thought this worth a chance.
seller lives in an expensive suburb, seller has other high value items for sale and even if the certificate is fake, it’s a better quality fake ha ha.
It may not fit me but whatever. I’ll try the plastic bag trick ha ha.
$240 AUD so about $162 US

Applying slippery hand lotion works great, too!