Evaluating jadeite (feicui)

[Pomelo]

Here’s my antique Qing dynasty wide, square cornered bangle.

Wearing it with a “new Chinese style” coat, the pearl buttons tickle me!

 

[LilAlex]

Here’s my antique Qing dynasty wide, square cornered bangle.

Wow, that is lovely and impressive -- what a treasure! I love the vivid green "focal point" -- almost like a gemstone bangle.

 

[Crimson]

Here’s my antique Qing dynasty wide, square cornered bangle.

Wearing it with a “new Chinese style” coat, the pearl buttons tickle me!

I like the coat. The fabric is so interesting.
The bangle is impressively hefty. Where did you find it?

 

[Pomelo]

Wow, that is lovely and impressive -- what a treasure! I love the vivid green "focal point" -- almost like a gemstone bangle.

Thank you! Typical bangles in this colourway are (unimaginatively) called “green on white base”, and this is a “one stroke of green”.

The green is very vibrant!

I like the coat. The fabric is so interesting.
The bangle is impressively hefty. Where did you find it?

Thank you! I found the bangle on the second hand app, Xianyu 闲鱼. Luck was on my side as the seller lived just a few stops away on the metro so I got to try it on before making the purchase - whereas most of my other purchases have been online and non-refundable…

The seller said the bangle came from an elderly family friend who ran an antique shop in Beijing more than 20 years ago (which has since closed), as a thank you gift.

It’s a delectable 89g (the ring was 5g).

I think the comparison pic with the ring is interesting because it shows how the zhong has changed: a telltale sign that it’s an antique is that it has discoloured over time (turned more yellow/grey).

It’s also a reminder that when the zhong is not sufficiently old (ie jadeite crystals aren’t compact), then the quality of the material degrades over time by oxidation and/or absorbing other elements esp if it’s buried in the ground.

(I didn’t keep the ring btw, its price was almost half of the bangle! But they would’ve made an awesome set, it’s unusual to see square cornered rings and bangles)

 

[Crimson]

Yd

Thank you! Typical bangles in this colourway are (unimaginatively) called “green on white base”, and this is a “one stroke of green”.

The green is very vibrant!



Thank you! I found the bangle on the second hand app, Xianyu 闲鱼. Luck was on my side as the seller lived just a few stops away on the metro so I got to try it on before making the purchase - whereas most of my other purchases have been online and non-refundable…

The seller said the bangle came from an elderly family friend who ran an antique shop in Beijing more than 20 years ago (which has since closed), as a thank you gift.

It’s a delectable 89g (the ring was 5g).

I think the comparison pic with the ring is interesting because it shows how the zhong has changed: a telltale sign that it’s an antique is that it has discoloured over time (turned more yellow/grey).

It’s also a reminder that when the zhong is not sufficiently old (ie jadeite crystals aren’t compact), then the quality of the material degrades over time by oxidation and/or absorbing other elements esp if it’s buried in the ground.

(I didn’t keep the ring btw, its price was almost half of the bangle! But they would’ve made an awesome set, it’s unusual to see square cornered rings and bangles)

Wow, thanks for sharing, @Pomelo.
Yes, they go well together as a set.
How convenient that you could just pop over and look at the jadeite.
It is really important to see and feel the items, especially jadeite, because of the nuances and variations.
You are right about the “Zhong” being more porous, and that is why the old mine type carries a premium. So interesting that the same term is used for both emeralds and jadeite!
Have fun with your new bangle

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

@Crimson are these jadeite on the necklace or something else?

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[Pomelo]

Jadeite friends, some eye candy for you! Jadeite in the upcoming Christie’s auction.

I really like the apple green set!

Apple green set, 680-880k HKD, comparing with my jadeite ring too (it was a bad idea to compare haha)



Spicy green set, colour potentially a little too dark and not enough zhongshui for Imperial for sure as it didn’t glow much. (Would love your thoughts on whether this is spicy green @Crimson )



And the nicest jadeite but with a price tag to match, HKD5-8m. I asked whether this is Imperial and the specialist said it’s only near Imperial (!)


It was beautiful on my hand but it didn’t glow much on the ear though… I am convinced that jadeite earrings should be a little lighter in colour/tone than rings because hair blocks light. What do other think?

 

[Crimson]

@Crimson are these jadeite on the necklace or something else?

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Ah, I remember that dress and event! It was in Singapore.
She is wearing Queen Mary’s Art Deco emerald choker. Such a beautiful piece. I think it would have gone better with a dress with more muted tones
Info on the necklace:

One moment, please...

So who wore it better?

 

[Crimson]

Jadeite friends, some eye candy for you! Jadeite in the upcoming Christie’s auction.

I really like the apple green set!

Spicy green set, colour potentially a little too dark and not enough zhongshui for Imperial for sure as it didn’t glow much. (Would love your thoughts on whether this is spicy green @Crimson )
[ATTACH type="full"

Thanks for sharing these yummy pieces, @Pomelo.
I understand why you like Apple green. It’s brighter and livelier.
Spicy green makes me cringe a little. It’s not my favourite. Yes, this made me cringe so that makes it spicy.

Regarding a lighter hue for earrings, I had the same thought when I was considering emerald earrings,, because my thick hair blocks the light. Anyway, light stone are cheaper so we can have bigger ones

 

[Pomelo]

Ah, I remember that dress and event! It was in Singapore.
She is wearing Queen Mary’s Art Deco emerald choker. Such a beautiful piece. I think it would have gone better with a dress with more muted tones
Info on the necklace:

One moment, please...

So who wore it better?

I prefer the neckline of Kate’s dress but the colour of Diana’s. I really like Diana’s blue (?) eyeliner though - very cool and not often seen on a Royal!

How about you?

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Psst @Crimson are you in the neighbourhood? I wonder if the colour is better since his lighting looks terrible

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[Crimson]

Psst @Crimson are you in the neighbourhood? I wonder if the colour is better since his lighting looks terrible

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You are one of a few people who texted/messaged me about this ring! Apparently people think I am always near jewellery stores
I will be going to Asiatique soon and take some photos for you. I was there yesterday to check a tennis necklace that my sister ordered. I’ve pasted some photos below for you. Cute star sapphire, nice pink halo and very good price. Dainty padparadscha with one pink and one yellow sapphire.


I also have to mention, as I did on another thread that KathyJade is having a sale. So tempting!!!

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

I love the vibe of that Star sapphire!!!! Blingy but also cute n casual as well.

 

[Crimson]

I love the vibe of that Star sapphire!!!! Blingy but also cute n casual as well.

I do too! Ahem, I think it goes well with your Labubus

 

[higanbanya]

You are one of a few people who texted/messaged me about this ring! Apparently people think I am always near jewellery stores
I will be going to Asiatique soon and take some photos for you. I was there yesterday to check a tennis necklace that my sister ordered. I’ve pasted some photos below for you. Cute star sapphire, nice pink halo and very good price. Dainty padparadscha with one pink and one yellow sapphire.


I also have to mention, as I did on another thread that KathyJade is having a sale. So tempting!!!

Hoho checked out KathyJade since we’re in Taipei and the pieces were gorgeous!! Some pieces had colours that were slightly different from expected from the website tho~

Caved and bought a glassy piaohua huaigu pendant

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Hoho checked out KathyJade since we’re in Taipei and the pieces were gorgeous!! Some pieces had colours that were slightly different from expected from the website tho~

Caved and bought a glassy piaohua huaigu pendant

Piiiiiic or it didn’t happen?????

 

[higanbanya]

Piiiiiic or it didn’t happen?????

HAHHAHA it was really hard to pick one! Am supposed to be on ban island but I guess I escaped for this anniversary sale

This was the one I got: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/APN2025A009



There were so many other beautiful jadeite pieces but didn’t take photos of some of them tho.. these are the ones within my escapee budget!

- Icy Green with Black Onyx/Agate(?) Ring: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/ARGPEGW09-XX19
- Icy Lavender Ring: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/ARM2023A043
- Glassy Abacus Band: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/RRM2024A006
- High Icy Yellow Pendant: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/APM2018A403
- Icy Green Ring: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/ARN2025A002
- Glassy Blue Water Ring: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/20903KT
- Yellow Wushipai Pendant: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/APM2022A026

 

[Pomelo]

HAHHAHA it was really hard to pick one! Am supposed to be on ban island but I guess I escaped for this anniversary sale

This was the one I got: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/APN2025A009



There were so many other beautiful jadeite pieces but didn’t take photos of some of them tho.. these are the ones within my escapee budget!

- Icy Green with Black Onyx/Agate(?) Ring: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/ARGPEGW09-XX19
- Icy Lavender Ring: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/ARM2023A043
- Glassy Abacus Band: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/RRM2024A006
- High Icy Yellow Pendant: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/APM2018A403
- Icy Green Ring: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/ARN2025A002
- Glassy Blue Water Ring: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/20903KT
- Yellow Wushipai Pendant: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/APM2022A026

Your new bi is beautiful, I really like the chubbiness of it too!

Thank you for the photos! I’m loving the lavender ring, but also surprised by how cheap it is (just over USD 1.5k). You definitely can’t buy it for that price in China!!

 

[higanbanya]

Your new bi is beautiful, I really like the chubbiness of it too!

Thank you for the photos! I’m loving the lavender ring, but also surprised by how cheap it is (just over USD 1.5k). You definitely can’t buy it for that price in China!!

Thank you!! Love how cute it feels too

The lavender ring is icy, has that watery feel and is a great size, but I’ve gone to the shop after sunset and didn’t get to see if the pinkish hue will die under sunlight

It’s a pretty dilute-ish pastel pinkish-lavender~ I’m generally not a pastel colours person, but even then it was hard to walk away from as the price is great for how watery it looks!

 

[Crimson]

HAHHAHA it was really hard to pick one! Am supposed to be on ban island but I guess I escaped for this anniversary sale

This was the one I got: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/APN2025A009



There were so many other beautiful jadeite pieces but didn’t take photos of some of them tho.. these are the ones within my escapee budget!

- Icy Green with Black Onyx/Agate(?) Ring: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/ARGPEGW09-XX19
- Icy Lavender Ring: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/ARM2023A043
- Glassy Abacus Band: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/RRM2024A006
- High Icy Yellow Pendant: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/APM2018A403
- Icy Green Ring: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/ARN2025A002
- Glassy Blue Water Ring: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/20903KT
- Yellow Wushipai Pendant: https://www.kathyjade.com/product/APM2022A026

Wowee! Thank you @higanbanya for sharing your wonderful escape!
Did you go there specially for the sale?
Thanks for all the photos. They help us to compare what you saw versus what’s on the website. Nothing like having one of us check out the sfore
You chose such lovely, full and watery pendant! I like the proportions and the curves.
All the other items look nice on you, especially the onyx and jadeite ring, and the icy ring.
Were the retail staff welcoming and helpful? Did you speak Mandarin? What’s your impression of KathyJade in general? Did you find any other jewellery stories you’d recommend? Sorry for this barrage of questions!
I will be going to Taipei next year for some meetings. I shall plan to visit KathyJade
Which location did you visit? I saw from the website they have a few.
I also love the Palace museum’s collection. Did you visit it?
Re: the lavender ring, that both you and @Pomelo mentioned, it appears to have some cotton, at least that is how it appears in the website. Cotton is associated with “dying in the light”. Maybe that is why the price is not high.

 

[higanbanya]

Wowee! Thank you @higanbanya for sharing your wonderful escape!
Did you go there specially for the sale?
Thanks for all the photos. They help us to compare what you saw versus what’s on the website. Nothing like having one of us check out the sfore
You chose such lovely, full and watery pendant! I like the proportions and the curves.
All the other items look nice on you, especially the onyx and jadeite ring, and the icy ring.
Were the retail staff welcoming and helpful? Did you speak Mandarin? What’s your impression of KathyJade in general? Did you find any other jewellery stories you’d recommend? Sorry for this barrage of questions!
I will be going to Taipei next year for some meetings. I shall plan to visit KathyJade
Which location did you visit? I saw from the website they have a few.
I also love the Palace museum’s collection. Did you visit it?
Re: the lavender ring, that both you and @Pomelo mentioned, it appears to have some cotton, at least that is how it appears in the website. Cotton is associated with “dying in the light”. Maybe that is why the price is not high.

Huehue thank you!! The sale was a pleasant surprise as we were already planning on visiting KathyJade with all the mentions on this forum

The onyx jadeite ring was a close buy.. it matches the tone of Milo, but it had a tiny streak of dark green colour root and I wasn’t sure if it’ll be obvious in daylight, so skipped it for the glassy huaigu!



We visited the Taipei branch (https://maps.app.goo.gl/k4AgfJY6YsE5EgN89?g_st=ipc), the retail staff were really sweet and helpful, although initially it’s not quite as welcoming in that the entrance is locked and a staff member needs to open the door for us to enter unlike jewellery shops in SG (same for the only other jewellery shop we went).. so it felt a bit more like an appointment-based shop, but they welcome walk-ins like myself - understandably as they have many high value jadeite pieces on display!

There were many stunning high-icy bangles as well as bright green pieces in showcase displays - went there with a list of items in mind to view, so it was easy to just show the staff the list and they retrieve them from their backroom storage which had most of the pieces I liked~ so it’s probably better to go there prepared with a list than just browsing the shop display! Didn’t have to speak much Mandarin as well, they seem familiar with international customers and mentioned that they’ve quite a number of SG customers buying online before visiting them in-store

If it helps, they only accept deposits (2k NTD) in cash to reserve pieces, but payment for the piece can be through card! And requests to transfer items from other branches (eg. Tainan or Xinzhu) should be done 3 business days in advance to view the piece in-person in Taipei with no obligation to purchase~

We went to another small jewelry shop (https://maps.app.goo.gl/fZ6kfmCjwkUyxNB88?g_st=ipc) which had pretty decent gold pricing and bought a 24K gold band there! Interestingly, they do measurements in 钱 and 分 instead of grams which we’re more familiar with, and there’s a surcharge to use card payment - it’s a nice small shop to buy gold jewellery, but their selection of gemstone jewellery is quite small.. bring more cash if visiting haha!

Haven’t gone to the Palace Museum but that sounds nice!!

For the lavender ring, yessss it did have visible cotton! Didn’t realise cotton and dying in light is associated.. thank you for the insight!! Lucky to have ya around

Am sure you’ll have a great time at KathyJade for your upcoming trip, I’d totally purchase from them again next time!

 

[Pomelo]

Huehue thank you!! The sale was a pleasant surprise as we were already planning on visiting KathyJade with all the mentions on this forum

The onyx jadeite ring was a close buy.. it matches the tone of Milo, but it had a tiny streak of dark green colour root and I wasn’t sure if it’ll be obvious in daylight, so skipped it for the glassy huaigu!



We visited the Taipei branch (https://maps.app.goo.gl/k4AgfJY6YsE5EgN89?g_st=ipc), the retail staff were really sweet and helpful, although initially it’s not quite as welcoming in that the entrance is locked and a staff member needs to open the door for us to enter unlike jewellery shops in SG (same for the only other jewellery shop we went).. so it felt a bit more like an appointment-based shop, but they welcome walk-ins like myself - understandably as they have many high value jadeite pieces on display!

There were many stunning high-icy bangles as well as bright green pieces in showcase displays - went there with a list of items in mind to view, so it was easy to just show the staff the list and they retrieve them from their backroom storage which had most of the pieces I liked~ so it’s probably better to go there prepared with a list than just browsing the shop display! Didn’t have to speak much Mandarin as well, they seem familiar with international customers and mentioned that they’ve quite a number of SG customers buying online before visiting them in-store

If it helps, they only accept deposits (2k NTD) in cash to reserve pieces, but payment for the piece can be through card! And requests to transfer items from other branches (eg. Tainan or Xinzhu) should be done 3 business days in advance to view the piece in-person in Taipei with no obligation to purchase~

We went to another small jewelry shop (https://maps.app.goo.gl/fZ6kfmCjwkUyxNB88?g_st=ipc) which had pretty decent gold pricing and bought a 24K gold band there! Interestingly, they do measurements in 钱 and 分 instead of grams which we’re more familiar with, and there’s a surcharge to use card payment - it’s a nice small shop to buy gold jewellery, but their selection of gemstone jewellery is quite small.. bring more cash if visiting haha!

Haven’t gone to the Palace Museum but that sounds nice!!

For the lavender ring, yessss it did have visible cotton! Didn’t realise cotton and dying in light is associated.. thank you for the insight!! Lucky to have ya around

Am sure you’ll have a great time at KathyJade for your upcoming trip, I’d totally purchase from them again next time!

Seeing Milo always makes me smile!

Thanks for the info on KathyJade, esp re: reserving items! I probably wont be in Taiwan anytime soon though sadly… I’m now kicking myself that I didn’t visit them when I was in Taipei earlier this year…

And if you have time, definitely go to the Palace Museum!
The Nationalist Party took a lot of treasures to Taiwan when the Communists drove them out of China, so some say the quality of exhibits at the Taiwan Palace Museum is even higher than what you’d see in Mainland China as they were the ruling party until they were overtaken.

I mush admit, my eye is not good enough to say which is better…

 

[Crimson]

Huehue thank you!! The sale was a pleasant surprise as we were already planning on visiting KathyJade with all the mentions on this forum

The onyx jadeite ring was a close buy.. it matches the tone of Milo, but it had a tiny streak of dark green colour root and I wasn’t sure if it’ll be obvious in daylight, so skipped it for the glassy huaigu!



We visited the Taipei branch (https://maps.app.goo.gl/k4AgfJY6YsE5EgN89?g_st=ipc), the retail staff were really sweet and helpful, although initially it’s not quite as welcoming in that the entrance is locked and a staff member needs to open the door for us to enter unlike jewellery shops in SG (same for the only other jewellery shop we went).. so it felt a bit more like an appointment-based shop, but they welcome walk-ins like myself - understandably as they have many high value jadeite pieces on display!

There were many stunning high-icy bangles as well as bright green pieces in showcase displays - went there with a list of items in mind to view, so it was easy to just show the staff the list and they retrieve them from their backroom storage which had most of the pieces I liked~ so it’s probably better to go there prepared with a list than just browsing the shop display! Didn’t have to speak much Mandarin as well, they seem familiar with international customers and mentioned that they’ve quite a number of SG customers buying online before visiting them in-store

If it helps, they only accept deposits (2k NTD) in cash to reserve pieces, but payment for the piece can be through card! And requests to transfer items from other branches (eg. Tainan or Xinzhu) should be done 3 business days in advance to view the piece in-person in Taipei with no obligation to purchase~

We went to another small jewelry shop (https://maps.app.goo.gl/fZ6kfmCjwkUyxNB88?g_st=ipc) which had pretty decent gold pricing and bought a 24K gold band there! Interestingly, they do measurements in 钱 and 分 instead of grams which we’re more familiar with, and there’s a surcharge to use card payment - it’s a nice small shop to buy gold jewellery, but their selection of gemstone jewellery is quite small.. bring more cash if visiting haha!

Haven’t gone to the Palace Museum but that sounds nice!!

For the lavender ring, yessss it did have visible cotton! Didn’t realise cotton and dying in light is associated.. thank you for the insight!! Lucky to have ya around

Am sure you’ll have a great time at KathyJade for your upcoming trip, I’d totally purchase from them again next time!

Ooh thank you @higanbanya
So kind of you to share all the info, details and advice.
Good to know one cannot just walk in and expect to see all the items.
It was like that at Berganza in London.

Now let me share a pic from today!
Gotta buy them all

 

[Pomelo]

Ooh thank you @higanbanya
So kind of you to share all the info, details and advice.
Good to know one cannot just walk in and expect to see all the items.
It was like that at Berganza in London.

Now let me share a pic from today!
Gotta buy them all

You went back to look at the bracelet! What did you think? Is this your third or fourth time with it now?

I don’t know if it’s the direction of the light, but the one with all east-west seem to have better water than the other two?

And I’m also loving how many items are on the tray in the background, feels like you had fun today haha!!

 

[Crimson]

You went back to look at the bracelet! What did you think? Is this your third or fourth time with it now?

I don’t know if it’s the direction of the light, but the one with all east-west seem to have better water than the other two?

And I’m also loving how many items are on the tray in the background, feels like you had fun today haha!!

@Pomelo I did! I didn’t buy anything, but I collected a tennis necklace for my sister.
I was there with a friend who bought two items – a ruby pendant and some dangling earrings..
Yes, you are right, the east – west bracelets still has the best water of the three.
I had a wild sort – if I buy three, I could wear them as single, double or triple


Here’s a photo of them on the tray. The light is very bright — my ruby has gone bonkers too because of fluorescence.



@mellowyellowgirl here’s a photo of the lavender ring that you asked about. This is about the most accurate photo I could take. In my other photos the yellow light or dazzling lights interfered with accuracy.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

@Crimson thank you for taking that picture for me you lovely person!!! It’s a really nice lavender!!!

That star sapphire has an awesome setting design!!!

I wouldn’t say no to any of those bracelets!!!

 

[Crimson]

@Crimson thank you for taking that picture for me you lovely person!!! It’s a really nice lavender!!!

That star sapphire has an awesome setting design!!!

I wouldn’t say no to any of those bracelets!!!

You’re welcome, dear @mellowyellowgirl. The price was very reasonable too.
I have decided not to buy the jadeite bracelet because I think for that amount (38K) I could get a nice big spinel instead.
I went to the Van Cleef and Arpels secret watches display at Raffles Hotel. No one else was there so I was treated royally by the retail manager, deputy manager and the jewellery specialist, hehe. There was only one item related to Jadeite, it’s this gorgeous Art Deco piece depicted in gouache . Apparently VCA doesn’t use CAD renderings for any of its designs. Everything is still done in gouache.

It was such fun to see how VCA hid the watches in women’s jewelry, at a time, when women of higher classes were not supposed to wear watches because watches were associated with work.
Can you guess where the watch is in this spinel, ruby and pearl sautoir?


Squeeze the sides of the bow to reveal the watch.


Here are others where a watch is hidden behind. My photos have all been rotated 90 degrees again.

Coral and onyx.

Sapphire.

 

[Pomelo]

@Pomelo I did! I didn’t buy anything, but I collected a tennis necklace for my sister.
I was there with a friend who bought two items – a ruby pendant and some dangling earrings..
Yes, you are right, the east – west bracelets still has the best water of the three.
I had a wild sort – if I buy three, I could wear them as single, double or triple


Here’s a photo of them on the tray. The light is very bright — my ruby has gone bonkers too because of fluorescence.



@mellowyellowgirl here’s a photo of the lavender ring that you asked about. This is about the most accurate photo I could take. In my other photos the yellow light or dazzling lights interfered with accuracy.

Wow your ruby just glows!!

And the stack of three bracelets is so much fun! Like a mega cuff!!

Out of interest, do you and your sister share jewellery? If so, I’m very envious!

 

[Crimson]

Wow your ruby just glows!!

And the stack of three bracelets is so much fun! Like a mega cuff!!

Out of interest, do you and your sister share jewellery? If so, I’m very envious!

I wish we did! She lives on the other side of the globe, with a 12 hour time difference. She is the Bag queen so we have different but complementary interests.
We do have some “twinning” jewellery just for fun.
Yes, wouldn’t it be great if it was a jadeite cuff ? It got my mind running wild.
Thanks for your kind comments about my ruby. I bought it after a spat with my bff. Best buy ever

 

[Crimson]

Big, watery lavender Hulu — squeal!!
The texture is fantastic. The crystal is very fine.
The cut is well proportioned, too.
The jadeite is thick; it has nice volume.
Is it too big？