Evaluating jadeite (feicui)

[draganpower]

So I been wanting a "blue water" jadeite ring for a while. Love the colour. But I realize the old mine in Burmese are super rare now.

So I contacted littlejadeitehouse to get a highly translucent blue water ring. They didn't have any in stock but he can make one size 10.5/11 US for 1400 SGD. So I sent him money to customize it for me

This is the sample picture he showed me.

He said he can get one like this for 1400 SGD but is unable to determine the origin. I dont really care about origin if its pretty but would it be worth it if this ring was from Guatemala for that price?

 

[Pomelo]

Something for the


Wow, that’s a big ring cabochon, @Odyssey44.
It does seem to be light lavender. The texture looks glutinous.
There appears to be white intermixed with lavender - that is not uncommon in lavender jadeite.
I wonder’ how it would perform in sunlight. Would it be possible to get outdoor photos?
What is the metal? If it is 18K just the setting itself might already be worth$2K!

Just thinking out loud here: if the material is more glutinous, does it change colour less than icy material? Because light is less able to pass through and therefore change colour? (Please bear in mind I only did physics until 16yo haha)

 

[Autumn in New England]

So I been wanting a "blue water" jadeite ring for a while. Love the colour. But I realize the old mine in Burmese are super rare now.

So I contacted littlejadeitehouse to get a highly translucent blue water ring. They didn't have any in stock but he can make one size 10.5/11 US for 1400 SGD. So I sent him money to customize it for me

This is the sample picture he showed me.

He said he can get one like this for 1400 SGD but is unable to determine the origin. I dont really care about origin if its pretty but would it be worth it if this ring was from Guatemala for that price?

 

[Odyssey44]

Something for the


Wow, that’s a big ring cabochon, @Odyssey44.
It does seem to be light lavender. The texture looks glutinous.
There appears to be white intermixed with lavender - that is not uncommon in lavender jadeite.
I wonder’ how it would perform in sunlight. Would it be possible to get outdoor photos?
What is the metal? If it is 18K just the setting itself might already be worth$2K!

Thanks for looking at it Crimson! I have the same fingers as ET, so I I am always looking for big. haha I'll ask for pictures outside and see what they say. There is a 30 day return period. The gold is only 14 kt--618 g. in weight. The diamonds are not great quality--H Color and I. They are only .10 ct though.
I'm going back to read your info on glutinous. I have to read and re-read. This is such new info to me, with so many new terms it is not sticking in my head yet!

 

[Crimson]

@Odyssey44 I like your word choice, “sticking” goes with glutinous. So you are on the right track.
I’ve pulled out a couple of posts that mention glutinous texture - like sticky rice porridge, mochi or oatmeal.
Please read the lower quote first, then the upper one.
Or you could also search “glutinous” in the forum! I don’t think the word is used much

You read my mind, @starstruck. I felt that what I had shared was a little too abstract and I should show some real life examples! The sample pics can only convey so much. These pics below show Yang!

The article you shared is a good one. They discussed base or di 底 first, whereas in the Chinese convention,底 comes later or last because it is affected by texture (Zhong), water(sui) and to a certain extent, colour because certain colours like lavender tend to have larger grains and hence less a fine base. The fifth factor is 工，which is the shaping or carving of the material. It can also affect the perception of the base because a skilled carver can minimise flaws. In my later posts, I will go on to 工 and 底.

Yang has to do with color and not transparency. It is about the colour being energetic, assertive and eye catching. For example, here are photos of some of my own pieces that show Yang.





In this photo you can see the bees are less Yang than the others. Their colour is just more dull and they cost significantly less.

This lavender pendant is Yang - lively colour but the Zhong is icy glutinous. It is sometimes called ice cream texture.


This is not so Yang - the colour is subtle and less saturated, but it is a highly icy pinkish lavender jadeite that shifts colour so it is interesting in its own way,

This pendant has a mix of more and less Yang feicui but everyone at the jewellers loved it because of the watery texture of the large piece.

What excellent use of, your time in Beijing, @Pomelo.
Re: walking out of a shop, the locals say there is no crime in Beijing because there are cameras everywhere!
Thanks for running the test on the pixiu. I think it has a lot to do with degree of translucency as @starstruck mentioned, and there is also something to do with the composition and crystal of the jadeite.
@Starstruck8 I enjoyed the theorizing! What if there’s no foil back? My glassy cabs have no foil back but still glow.
I have also noticed the “light eating” phenomenon with carved and not quite translucent pieces. For example, the jadeite goldfish which I showed before has is what I would consider icy glutinous, with cotton. It isn’t translucent but it perks up dramatically in artificial light. The lavender jadeite cabs in my photos did the same - and they aren’t very translucent either. Maybe the articficial light brings out the blue and lavender.
But most lavender jadeite pieces also have the problem of “见光死’ or dying(losing their colour) in daylight. I think it might be because jadeite is a composite material - not all jadeite has the same composition. In lavender jadeite, one can often see lavender intermixed with white. Perhaps a high proportion of white cotton could cause the stone to look white in daylight.

 

[Crimson]

So I been wanting a "blue water" jadeite ring for a while. Love the colour. But I realize the old mine in Burmese are super rare now.

So I contacted littlejadeitehouse to get a highly translucent blue water ring. They didn't have any in stock but he can make one size 10.5/11 US for 1400 SGD. So I sent him money to customize it for me

This is the sample picture he showed me.

He said he can get one like this for 1400 SGD but is unable to determine the origin. I dont really care about origin if its pretty but would it be worth it if this ring was from Guatemala for that price?

If it is as nice as in the photo - translucent, thick. watery and with no grey - I think it is not a bad price. It must be this blue and not veer into oily or petroleum blue-green (油青) - see pics below from

油青种翡翠到底好不好？千万别花冤枉钱，你需要全面了解下_颜色

油青种翡翠，一种市场上随处可见的中、低档翡翠。 油青种翡翠是常用于制作挂件、手镯的原料，当然，制作成戒面的也不再少数。表面是油脂的光泽，颜色也是深绿或者绿中偏灰、偏蓝，给人的感觉都是比较沉闷的油青种翡翠的颜色

www.sohu.com

Ask for approximate weight and dimensions. The price can vary according to the heft of the piece. Please make sure you get photos in different light conditions. The photo was taken in very bright light.

 

[Odyssey44]

@Odyssey44 I like your word choice, “sticking” goes with glutinous. So you are on the right track.
I’ve pulled out a couple of posts that mention glutinous texture - like sticky rice porridge, mochi or oatmeal.
Please read the lower quote first, then the upper one.
Or you could also search “glutinous” in the forum! I don’t think the word is used much

Haha! I thought the sticking was an amusing word too. Glad you caught it.
Thanks for the links! I had searched glutinous on just this thread, so I could see it was only one better from coarse. I appreciate the order you have linked things for me!
I love, love, love your pink lavender ring. Truly, pure pink jadeite would be my first choice of all colors, but I do not see any.

 

[Crimson]

Just thinking out loud here: if the material is more glutinous, does it change colour less than icy material? Because light is less able to pass through and therefore change colour? (Please bear in mind I only did physics until 16yo haha)

@Pomelo, that sounds quite reasonable. However, glutinous lavender jadeite is more troublesome. Lavender jadeite is often found in a while matrix, and when exposed to daylight, the white can be more visible than the lavender, leading to the white-out or "dying in the light".
This article is helpful, esp the figures, one of which I have attached below.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274674517_Color_Origin_of_Lavender_Jadeite_An_Alternative_Approach

 

[Crimson]

On another thread, @LightBright asked about evaluating jadeite and where to buy nice jadeite at a reasonable price. Thank you @ShinyPink for pointing to this thread!
Since there are so many parameters in evaluating jadeite , it’s essential to buy from a trustworthy store. They will have done quality checks, obtained the certification and have seen numerous pieces of Jadeite, and be able to provide advice and present alternatives.
It helps to know how to evaluate jadeite, so you can have a good conversation with the seller.
There are many stores that specialise in Jadeite. These stores have a good selection, and a wide price range.
II can recommend Singapore stores that I have personally visited, who are trustworthy and not pushy, and whose web/media photos are accurate and representative of their items.

On Cheong is one of Singapore’s most trustworthy jewellers. They have some truly exquisite pieces, and some very pocket – friendly ones as well. They have the best jadeite inventory in Singapore. They are currently having a sale, till end of June.

On Cheong Jewellery - Crafted by time, Cherished for generations

Renowned for crafting jewellery masterpieces for customers who appreciate the finer things in life. Crafted by time, Cherished for generations.

oncheong.com

Classic. Jade has items with high value and quality for the price.

ClassicJade - Type A Jade Retail and Online Shop in Singapore

Trusted jade dealer in Singapore. Type A natural Burmese Jadeite guaranteed. Explore precious jade jewellery collections. Free worldwide shipment.

www.classicjade.com.sg

Asiatique Fine Jewelry is having a sale on some jadeite pieces, all below $1000 (see below). They do not have a large inventory, but their prices are extremely reasonable and the owner is most affable. I’m not sure if all the pieces are available. I confess I almost bought the ice cream cone for fun.

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[Pomelo]

On another thread, @LightBright asked about evaluating jadeite and where to buy nice jadeite at a reasonable price. Thank you @ShinyPink for pointing to this thread!
Since there are so many parameters in evaluating jadeite , it’s essential to buy from a trustworthy store. They will have done quality checks, obtained the certification and have seen numerous pieces of Jadeite, and be able to provide advice and present alternatives.
It helps to know how to evaluate jadeite, so you can have a good conversation with the seller.
There are many stores that specialise in Jadeite. These stores have a good selection, and a wide price range.
II can recommend Singapore stores that I have personally visited, who are trustworthy and not pushy, and whose web/media photos are accurate and representative of their items.

On Cheong is one of Singapore’s most trustworthy jewellers. They have some truly exquisite pieces, and some very pocket – friendly ones as well. They have the best jadeite inventory in Singapore. They are currently having a sale, till end of June.

On Cheong Jewellery - Crafted by time, Cherished for generations

Renowned for crafting jewellery masterpieces for customers who appreciate the finer things in life. Crafted by time, Cherished for generations.

oncheong.com

Classic. Jade has items with high value and quality for the price.

ClassicJade - Type A Jade Retail and Online Shop in Singapore

Trusted jade dealer in Singapore. Type A natural Burmese Jadeite guaranteed. Explore precious jade jewellery collections. Free worldwide shipment.

www.classicjade.com.sg

Asiatique Fine Jewelry is having a sale on some jadeite pieces, all below $1000 (see below). They do not have a large inventory, but their prices are extremely reasonable and the owner is most affable. I’m not sure if all the pieces are available. I confess I almost bought the ice cream cone for fun.

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Haha the ice cream cone is a hulu! Very creative and fun!

I need to go to Singapore again to check out the jadeite. Sadly I didn’t know anything about jade (or even that Singapore had great jewellery shopping) when I was last there in late 2022!

 

[Crimson]

Haha the ice cream cone is a hulu! Very creative and fun!

I need to go to Singapore again to check out the jadeite. Sadly I didn’t know anything about jade (or even that Singapore had great jewellery shopping) when I was last there in late 2022!

Good idea, there is lots to see

I went a little crazy over the weekend. It felt like a long time since I went jadeite shopping so I went in search of some big bad pieces.
This lavender ring is has a 2 cm diameter and is set in rhodium black gold with diamonds, rubies and a sugarloaf rubellte. I think it looks edible. The lavender "bi" spins! It reminds me of Tibetan prayer wheels or a merry go round The setting has two swallows and a lovely message iin Chinese characters around the perimeter. it is so unusual and whimsical.


This is a ring for men, I like how substantial it is.



To match the 2 cm ring, how about a pendant over 3 cm diamter?



One of the store staff did a light test through the back of the pendant. The metal back and can opened.


He could not do the light test on the ring so well because the ring itself blocked the flashlight, but you can get an idea of the translucency here. Lavender jadeite tends not to be very translucent when the colour is saturated. This is a thick piece! The translucency is not bad for lavender.


Sneaking in an unheated pink sapphire - it is 4.5 ct, with half moon diamonds on either side.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Looooooove the pink sapphire @Crimson

Was it clean and did it cost a fortune? I keep wishing for a bigger pink!

 

[Star gazer]

Good idea, there is lots to see

I went a little crazy over the weekend. It felt like a long time since I went jadeite shopping so I went in search of some big bad pieces.
This lavender ring is has a 2 cm diameter and is set in rhodium black gold with diamonds, rubies and a sugarloaf rubellte. I think it looks edible. The lavender "bi" spins! It reminds me of Tibetan prayer wheels or a merry go round The setting has two swallows and a lovely message iin Chinese characters around the perimeter. it is so unusual and whimsical.


This is a ring for men, I like how substantial it is.



To match the 2 cm ring, how about a pendant over 3 cm diamter?



One of the store staff did a light test through the back of the pendant. The metal back and can opened.


He could not do the light test on the ring so well because the ring itself blocked the flashlight, but you can get an idea of the translucency here. Lavender jadeite tends not to be very translucent when the colour is saturated. This is a thick piece! The translucency is not bad for lavender.


Sneaking in an unheated pink sapphire - it is 4.5 ct, with half moon diamonds on either side.

Gorgeous!!!!

 

[Crimson]

Looooooove the pink sapphire @Crimson

Was it clean and did it cost a fortune? I keep wishing for a bigger pink!

It was eye clean, and comes with a Lotus cert describing the colour as vivid. Under a loupe I saw a patch of fish scale -like inclusions at one end but they are not eye visible and rather cute..
It costs SGD 58,014, a fraction of the giant jadeite’s price. The weight is 4.69 ct not 4.5 ct as I I indicated above.

Fuchsia Flame Pink Sapphire Diamond Ring - On Cheong Jewellery

Only in On Cheong.

oncheong.com

Gorgeous!!!!

Glad you like them, @stargazer

 

[Crimson]

Some other jadeite pieces that I looked at last Saturday.
Bonus photo of the pink sapphire ring for @mellowyellowgirl . There is also a cute emerald cabochon.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

It’s gorgeous!!! Thanks for the pic and for the link and info on pricing @Crimson

She’s a beauty! Although it’s made me realise how much of a bargain Wriston’s pinkish pad was a few years back.

 

[Crimson]

It’s gorgeous!!! Thanks for the pic and for the link and info on pricing @Crimson

She’s a beauty! Although it’s made me realise how much of a bargain Wriston’s pinkish pad was a few years back.

Yes, Wriston”s prices are hard to beat! Did you see the nice jadeite pieces that he bought at the Hong Kong show?

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[mellowyellowgirl]

Yes and he has a lovely strand of pearls. Probably sold out by now.

 

[Crimson]

Yes and he has a lovely strand of pearls. Probably sold out by now.

Yes, gone! I went there with my friends today. One of them said she wasn’t going to buy anything till year end but oh well... she left with earrings and the pearls
The Hulu jadeite earrings are chubby, watery and glowing! So cute, and a great buy for the price/

My friend’s purchases. The earrings have a high dome.


Other temptations: a dazzling sphene, and twin star sapphires - swoon. The stars move in tandem. The setter did a great job.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Loooooove the jadeite earrings! Gloriously green and chubby. They just shout good fortune!

How were the pearls? Lustrous? I shut down the page after I saw them so as to not be tempted!!!

I love your friend’s turquoise earrings!!!! I want a pair for Lil Sis one day. It’s on her wish list.

 

[Crimson]

Loooooove the jadeite earrings! Gloriously green and chubby. They just shout good fortune!

How were the pearls? Lustrous? I shut down the page after I saw them so as to not be tempted!!!

I love your friend’s aqua earrings!!!! I want a pair for Lil Sis one day. It’s on her wish list.

The pearls were very lustrous, pinkish and near round. My friend’s put them on immediately
Her earrings are turquoise. Very pretty. If she didn’t buy them, I might have.
Another friend just went in and bought the Santa Maria aquamarine earrings that he posted today. The Crimson jewellery friends’ club is real Now helping another friend get earrings from Wriston, LOL.
On a separate note, I did something terrible! I bought the giant ring that I posted earlier.
It is about 20-21mm in diameter, 6.5 mm thick. I think it could be a good friend for your heart ring?

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Oh that ring is glorious and so very you (beautiful, classy and unique)!!! 20mm is fine!!! You get use to it! And enjoy the heft! I love the weight actually! I find it comforting!

 

[Crimson]

Oh that ring is glorious and so very you (beautiful, classy and unique)!!! 20mm is fine!!! You get use to it! And enjoy the heft! I love the weight actually! I find it comforting!

Thank you for your reassurance, dear @mellowyellowgirl. You are too kind. I am still getting used to its size and weight. What I enjoy most is spinning it around. I love it when jewellery doubles as a toy.

 

[Pomelo]

The pearls were very lustrous, pinkish and near round. My friend’s put them on immediately
Her earrings are turquoise. Very pretty. If she didn’t buy them, I might have.
Another friend just went in and bought the Santa Maria aquamarine earrings that he posted today. The Crimson jewellery friends’ club is real Now helping another friend get earrings from Wriston, LOL.
On a separate note, I did something terrible! I bought the giant ring that I posted earlier.
It is about 20-21mm in diameter, 6.5 mm thick. I think it could be a good friend for your heart ring?

This piece is glorious! So fun, and the setting is incredibly special. Is there a hidden message spelt out in the pave?

 

[Crimson]

This piece is glorious! So fun, and the setting is incredibly special. Is there a hidden message spelt out in the pave?

Yes, you are so observant @Pomelo. There are Chinese characters 一生相守, protect each other for life. So sweet. There is also a card that comes with the ring showing the design of the circumference with the two swallows and the characters. I think the designer is so clever! The square sugarloaf makes the “bi” resemble a Chinese coin. I do enjoy spinning the ring.
Couldn’t resist a Bulbasaur photo for @mellowyellowgirl.



.

 

[Odyssey44]

I saw this ring and really like it. I am not sure of the quality though and would appreciate thoughts. I think it may be a bad sign that the green halo of small jade beads is not mentioned on the GIA report. Is this normal? The ring is 18k gold and they are asking $6200.

 

[Crimson]

I saw this ring and really like it. I am not sure of the quality though and would appreciate thoughts. I think it may be a bad sign that the green halo of small jade beads is not mentioned on the GIA report. Is this normal? The ring is 18k gold and they are asking $6200.

I like it too, @Odyssey44 It is not a bad sign that the smaller stones are not tested. I think that the seller asked for only the middle large stone to be tested. Imagine paying for separate certificates for each small stone - that would add significantly to the cost. Sometimes, though, the seller might get a randomly selected small one tested.
I cannot tell how translucent the white stone is, and how it performs in light.
Ideally, it should glow. Could you ask for more photos or a video?

 

[Odyssey44]

I like it too, @Odyssey44 It is not a bad sign that the smaller stones are not tested. I think th1at the seller asked for only the middle large stone to be tested. Imagine paying for separate certificates for each small stone - that would add significantly to the cost. Sometimes, though, the seller might get a randomly selected small one tested.
I cannot tell how translucent the white stone is, and how it performs in light.
Ideally, it should glow. Could you ask for more photos or a video?

Now I am excited that you like it Crimson! Good points--for some reason I was thinking GIA would evaluate the ring as a whole on the same report.
Here is some video. I don't think it glows.

https://imgur.com/gMwz7je

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Oh my that’s gorgeous @Odyssey44

I love love love it!!!

 

[Odyssey44]

Oh my that’s gorgeous @Odyssey44

I love love love it!!!

Oh, this is very meaningful high praise coming from the Queen of the large and luscious stone!! It was your lavender jade ring that first made me look at jade. I had not really considered it before! Then Crimson's treatise made me really pay attention!