Evaluating jadeite (feicui)

[nyapple]

So did the seller lie to me

I can't tell is this old blue water or oily green?

Presence of white inclusion snowflakes in the closeup photo and how it looks dark indoors makes me think Guatemalan blue.

 

[Odyssey44]

Glad you did! He is a hardworking seller, sourcing from all over and his prices are hard to beat. A new friend I made last week ask me about the spinels I was wearing, and I directed him to Asiatique. He went there as soon as they opened this morning and left with a Mahenge spinel & yellow diamond ring for his wife, and a golden South Sea pearl pendant for his Mom. Sneaking in photos of what he bought.


Ooh, that sounds exciting, @Odyssey44. Hope we will get to see some photos of them when they are ready.

I am off to Denmark today, taking my jadeite jewelry.

Absolutely yes I will post! Wow to the jadeite with the pink-- I think-- sapphires!!! What a color combination!! Maybe my favorite ever! And that big honking purple jadeite ring--that is what my next hunt will be for. It is so perfect. And I love that my new jadeite ring is similar in look, though not in quality of course, to one of your rings!!
Have a great time in Denmark. It has been a while since I have been, but I remember Copenhagen having excellent restaurants.

 

[MMtwo]

Glad you did! He is a hardworking seller, sourcing from all over and his prices are hard to beat. A new friend I made last week ask me about the spinels I was wearing, and I directed him to Asiatique. He went there as soon as they opened this morning and left with a Mahenge spinel & yellow diamond ring for his wife, and a golden South Sea pearl pendant for his Mom. Sneaking in photos of what he bought.


Ooh, that sounds exciting, @Odyssey44. Hope we will get to see some photos of them when they are ready.

I am off to Denmark today, taking my jadeite jewelry.

What a fabulous collection! Love the pink sapphire and green jade earrings. The color is so harmonious and happy. The lavender ring is so feminine and soft. Just, wow!

 

[Pomelo]

Thank you for your kind words @mellowyellowgirl @Crimson @Odyssey44 @MMtwo , I had lost confidence in my jadeite buying abilities but it was restored when I received this!

Here is a new-to-me preloved pale green pigeon’s egg (“icy green-blue” is the Chinese translation). Some of you may remember that I tried on something similar in a high end store for a similarly high-end price (40w RMB = ~$50k!).

It’s 18*16mm compared to 22*19mm of the one I tried on but that’s plenty finger coverage

It was also a tiny fraction of the price in part due to (1) worse zhongshui and not as icy / doesn’t have such strong glow, (2) colour is not uniform as there is a smudge of sun green on the side, (3) a tiny bit of cotton which is visible with the naked eye but not noticeable when worn.

I must say, I really like the smudge of green and it’s a “discount coupon”, without it the piece would’ve easily been double the price!



The inspo vs my icy green egg:

 

[empliau]

Thank you for your kind words @mellowyellowgirl @Crimson @Odyssey44 @MMtwo , I had lost confidence in my jadeite buying abilities but it was restored when I received this!

Here is a new-to-me preloved pale green pigeon’s egg (“icy green-blue” is the Chinese translation). Some of you may remember that I tried on something similar in a high end store for a similarly high-end price (40w RMB = ~$50k!).

It’s 18*16mm compared to 22*19mm of the one I tried on but that’s plenty finger coverage

It was also a tiny fraction of the price in part due to (1) worse zhongshui and not as icy / doesn’t have such strong glow, (2) colour is not uniform as there is a smudge of sun green on the side, (3) a tiny bit of cotton which is visible with the naked eye but not noticeable when worn.

I must say, I really like the smudge of green and it’s a “discount coupon”, without it the piece would’ve easily been double the price!



The inspo vs my icy green egg:

Oh. My. Word. What a stunning and beautiful ring! I love it! I mean, I really really love it. You done good, girl!!!!

 

[MMtwo]

Wow! What a beauty @Pomelo. You are KILLING IT with your purchases. That if a fabulous ring. I love the green streak too. Layered with the bangle, glorious Enjoy the ring and other treasures.

 

[Crimson]

Thank you for your kind words @mellowyellowgirl @Crimson @Odyssey44 @MMtwo , I had lost confidence in my jadeite buying abilities but it was restored when I received this!

Here is a new-to-me preloved pale green pigeon’s egg (“icy green-blue” is the Chinese translation). Some of you may remember that I tried on something similar in a high end store for a similarly high-end price (40w RMB = ~$50k!).

It’s 18*16mm compared to 22*19mm of the one I tried on but that’s plenty finger coverage

It was also a tiny fraction of the price in part due to (1) worse zhongshui and not as icy / doesn’t have such strong glow, (2) colour is not uniform as there is a smudge of sun green on the side, (3) a tiny bit of cotton which is visible with the naked eye but not noticeable when worn.

I must say, I really like the smudge of green and it’s a “discount coupon”, without it the piece would’ve easily been double the price!



The inspo vs my icy green egg:

It is really an egg, it’s so beautiful, @Pomelo.
I love its translucency and light.
It goes well with the bangle, I think.
You are really on a jadeite roll!

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

It is absolutely gorgeous @Pomelo!!! I love the last comparison photo where it certainly holds itself against the inspiration stone.

Looooooooove the green smudge on the side.

OMG this is giving me the jadeite squees! Must go off and wear some!

 

[newtojewels]

@Pomelo I LOVE IT. It's gorgeous, a great homage to your inspo and like the others I LOVE the green smudge on the side. Congratulations!

 

[Odyssey44]

Thank you for your kind words @mellowyellowgirl @Crimson @Odyssey44 @MMtwo , I had lost confidence in my jadeite buying abilities but it was restored when I received this!

Here is a new-to-me preloved pale green pigeon’s egg (“icy green-blue” is the Chinese translation). Some of you may remember that I tried on something similar in a high end store for a similarly high-end price (40w RMB = ~$50k!).

It’s 18*16mm compared to 22*19mm of the one I tried on but that’s plenty finger coverage

It was also a tiny fraction of the price in part due to (1) worse zhongshui and not as icy / doesn’t have such strong glow, (2) colour is not uniform as there is a smudge of sun green on the side, (3) a tiny bit of cotton which is visible with the naked eye but not noticeable when worn.

I must say, I really like the smudge of green and it’s a “discount coupon”, without it the piece would’ve easily been double the price!



The inspo vs my icy green egg:

OOoooooooooHHHhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! So fabulous I am in a trance looking at it! A big glow bubble just sitting on your finger! And with your bracelet? Just perfect. You look like some fireflies have come to rest on your wrist and hand. Well done! I would happily go shopping for jade with you anytime!!

 

[Crimson]

Glorious Crimson!!!!!! Your box is stunning!!!
And I love that Pearl pendant your friend bought!!!!!

Thank you, @mellowyellowgirl Denmark is quite safe so I could actually wear jewellery without fear.
Yes, that pearl is quite lovely and very gold.

Absolutely yes I will post! Wow to the jadeite with the pink-- I think-- sapphires!!! What a color combination!! Maybe my favorite ever! And that big honking purple jadeite ring--that is what my next hunt will be for. It is so perfect. And I love that my new jadeite ring is similar in look, though not in quality of course, to one of your rings!!
Have a great time in Denmark. It has been a while since I have been, but I remember Copenhagen having excellent restaurants.

Thank you and yes, burp! All the pastries, smorrebrod and innovative restaurants…
I love that colour combination too. Those are pinkish red rubies, very intense.

What a fabulous collection! Love the pink sapphire and green jade earrings. The color is so harmonious and happy. The lavender ring is so feminine and soft. Just, wow!

Thank you! I wanted to carry some happy jewelry. After all, it’s summertime in Denmark… such lovely weather.

Now I am going to spam you with photos of jewellery I saw I. Denmark. I last stayed there in 2018 when I was not yet interested in gemstones and jewellery, so this time I paid attention. Here is some Jade, which I saw at Amalienborg Palace. This is not Jadeite, but nephrite


Then - Faberge eggs!
This one starts off as an unassuming, white shell egg. Inside, there’s a golden egg, and inside the golden egg is an egg white and egg yolk. Inside that, there’s a chicken, and inside the chicken, there are a ring and a crown. It’s such an adorable piece.

These egg necklaces are such fun… different kinds of gemstones on one necklace. Each egg represents a family member. Is that sweet?

Tiara and brooches.

 

[MMtwo]

SPAM away! LOve the photos. The egg complete with chick is stunning and so clever. The jade photo, third down looks like my glass nail file . I could see PSers wearing the necklace with the cute eggs.

Thanks for bringing us along!

 

[Pomelo]

Oh. My. Word. What a stunning and beautiful ring! I love it! I mean, I really really love it. You done good, girl!!!!

Thank you!

Wow! What a beauty @Pomelo. You are KILLING IT with your purchases. That if a fabulous ring. I love the green streak too. Layered with the bangle, glorious Enjoy the ring and other treasures.

Thanks! Tbh I’ve definitely got an addictive streak in me and currently that’s fuelled to jadeite haha

It is really an egg, it’s so beautiful, @Pomelo.
I love its translucency and light.
It goes well with the bangle, I think.
You are really on a jadeite roll!

Thank you! I must admit that I’m thinking about changing bangles to one that’s pure white without a trace of green or blue tone, as it goes with pretty much everything.
But I will take time searching for my white glowy bangle rather than jumping straight in like with this one…!

It is absolutely gorgeous @Pomelo!!! I love the last comparison photo where it certainly holds itself against the inspiration stone.

Looooooooove the green smudge on the side.

OMG this is giving me the jadeite squees! Must go off and wear some!

Haha thanks, looking forward to seeing more of your jadeite! Tbf Chansey is as fabulous as you can get!!

@Pomelo I LOVE IT. It's gorgeous, a great homage to your inspo and like the others I LOVE the green smudge on the side. Congratulations!

Hehe thank you! The smudge is a nice little surprise every time I look at it

OOoooooooooHHHhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! So fabulous I am in a trance looking at it! A big glow bubble just sitting on your finger! And with your bracelet? Just perfect. You look like some fireflies have come to rest on your wrist and hand. Well done! I would happily go shopping for jade with you anytime!!

Thank you! I’m lucky to be living in Beijing at the moment, the jadeite market in China is ridiculously deep.

In addition to physical stores and markets, there are probably over a hundred different livestreams every night catering to all matter of jade (usually specialising in different niches: bangles, small loose items like loose cabochons etc, finished products set in gold - generally split by low, mid and high end pricing).

I’m also enjoying browsing the Chinese equivalent of Craigslist for second hand goods - it’s where I got my egg from. Jade (both jadeite and nephrite) have been revered for centuries and it’s fascinating to see antique jadeite from the Qing dynasty (1636-1912).

Part of the reason I’m on a buying streak is because we won’t be here forever and I know I won’t have access to as much jade anywhere else in the world!

 

[Pomelo]

Glad you did! He is a hardworking seller, sourcing from all over and his prices are hard to beat. A new friend I made last week ask me about the spinels I was wearing, and I directed him to Asiatique. He went there as soon as they opened this morning and left with a Mahenge spinel & yellow diamond ring for his wife, and a golden South Sea pearl pendant for his Mom. Sneaking in photos of what he bought.


Ooh, that sounds exciting, @Odyssey44. Hope we will get to see some photos of them when they are ready.

I am off to Denmark today, taking my jadeite jewelry.

What a travelling collection! Like others, I’m finding the green jadeite and pink sapphire earrings totally show-stopping. If it’s not too much trouble, do you have ear shots?

 

[Crimson]

SPAM away! LOve the photos. The egg complete with chick is stunning and so clever. The jade photo, third down looks like my glass nail file . I could see PSers wearing the necklace with the cute eggs.

Thanks for bringing us along!

Haha, happy to oblige.
First. Here/s my travel jadeiteat the supermarket. I just had to get some fruit and veg.


Next some more royal jewels. These belonged to Queen Lovisa (Louisa).
There is a set of wedding bracelets.


Finally, an obligatory photo of the little mermaid. Behind her is an icon, Copenhill, by Bjark Inglels, one of my favourite architects.

ETA Pic with info about Queen Lovisa, who came up with the idea of the Danish Crown Jewels. There’s some info in the text below.

 

[Crimson]

What a travelling collection! Like others, I’m finding the green jadeite and pink sapphire earrings totally show-stopping. If it’s not too much trouble, do you have ear shots?

Thanks for asking, @Pomelo. It’s been very hard to take nice ear shots because Denmark is so windy. All my photos have crazy wind-blown hair, very messy .I’ll try later.

 

[Crimson]

What a travelling collection! Like others, I’m finding the green jadeite and pink sapphire earrings totally show-stopping. If it’s not too much trouble, do you have ear shots?

I managed to find a photo of me wearing the earrings. This is when I first bought them at the shop. I was trying to see how they would go with my other jewellery.

 

[Pomelo]

I managed to find a photo of me wearing the earrings. This is when I first bought them at the shop. I was trying to see how they would go with my other jewellery.

What. A. Combination!!!!


Out of interest, have you posted the details on your pinkish lavender cabochon? I’m wondering whether lavender jadeite is a hole I should be going down…

 

[Crimson]

What. A. Combination!!!!


Out of interest, have you posted the details on your pinkish lavender cabochon? I’m wondering whether lavender jadeite is a hole I should be going down…

You should explore! At least, it will be fun!
I am back and have no jet lag so made a beeline for the jewellery store: isn’t this cute? The lavender is really intense and the green is quite fine

Some other new items

 

[Pomelo]

You should explore! At least, it will be fun!
I am back and have no jet lag so made a beeline for the jewellery store: isn’t this cute? The lavender is really intense and the green is quite fine

Some other new items

Ooh yes, that deep lavender with sun green is lovely!

That reminds me - I have been watching livestreams for high end Guatemalan jade and bought a (returnable) sun green cab. Will let you know when I receive it! Mine is the one on the left.

 

[Crimson]

Ooh yes, that deep lavender with sun green is lovely!

That reminds me - I have been watching livestreams for high end Guatemalan jade and bought a (returnable) sun green cab. Will let you know when I receive it! Mine is the one on the left.

Ooh, exciting! I like your enthusiasm, @Pomelo !
I’ve been following some WeChat stores that sell Guatemalan jadeite, but haven’t bought any because it would be inconvenient to return them.
Hope to see your photos of the cab.

 

[Crimson]

Another jadeite report from Jewel Land…
I am going to do a rainbow gems inspired post, inspired by @Autumn in New England and include some explanations which @MMtwo enjoys,

RED… these are super cute and a lovely red. Usually, the so-called reds are more orangey. These are the reddest I have seen, and the price is down to earth. They are in the shape of fish，Yu 鱼 which puns with another Chinese word Yu 余 . If you have the fish I means you 有余 you have abundance or have more than enough.


Source: https://www.jadestorysingapore.com/product-page/the-dancing-fish

Next, ORANGE. Most orange and yellow jadeite, comes from the rind of jade boulders. Yellow and orange jadeite may be heated, so it’s important to buy from a reputable supplier and retailer.
Another auspicious living thing for Chinese is the butterfly, which represents good fortune and beauty. Again, there are puns. The first word of Butterfly hudie蝴蝶, hu, similar to fu 福 (prosperity). You can hear the sounds in this link. https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/zoology/the-butterfly-kingdom2/butterflies-in-culture

Here’s a pair of delicious orange jadeite earrings and in front of them, a pair of thick thick YELLOW circles whose shade and texture remind me of New Zealand Manuka honey. Don’t they look delicious? They are from Asiatique Fine Jewellery.

 

[CMN]

Another jadeite report from Jewel Land…
I am going to do a rainbow gems inspired post, inspired by @Autumn in New England and include some explanations which @MMtwo enjoys,

RED… these are super cute and a lovely red. Usually, the so-called reds are more orangey. These are the reddest I have seen, and the price is down to earth. They are in the shape of fish，Yu 鱼 which puns with another Chinese word Yu 余 . If you have the fish I means you 有余 you have abundance or have more than enough.


Source: https://www.jadestorysingapore.com/product-page/the-dancing-fish

Next, ORANGE. Most orange and yellow jadeite, comes from the rind of jade boulders. Yellow and orange jadeite may be heated, so it’s important to buy from a reputable supplier and retailer.
Another auspicious living thing for Chinese is the butterfly, which represents good fortune and beauty. Again, there are puns. The first word of Butterfly hudie蝴蝶, hu, similar to fu 福 (prosperity). You can hear the sounds in this link. https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/zoology/the-butterfly-kingdom2/butterflies-in-culture

Here’s a pair of delicious orange jadeite earrings and in front of them, a pair of thick thick YELLOW circles whose shade and texture remind me of New Zealand Manuka honey. Don’t they look delicious? They are from Asiatique Fine Jewellery.

I’m going to confess that I had no idea Jade came in red and orange colours. Thank you for sharing.

 

[Autumn in New England]

You should explore! At least, it will be fun!
I am back and have no jet lag so made a beeline for the jewellery store: isn’t this cute? The lavender is really intense and the green is quite fine

This kaleidoscope of jadeite color is making me want one in every shade! You found my weak spot, Crimson. But I have to say, the above cab possesses the finest lavender color I have ever seen in a gem, period.

 

[MMtwo]

@Pomelo I love your sun green cab. That is lovely! Please bring more pictures when you arrive.

@Crimson That lavender is amazingly saturated!

I'm catching up. Silly me, I thought I would complete a painting for a competition the same day it was due. I get these ideas sometimes. That worked out about as well as one would suppose. My painted sky would simply not cooperate, but I suppose if you paint once a year, then you get rusty, that should be expected. Oh well, there is always next year.

Crimson, my friend, you know me so well. I love the understanding and explainations. I love the little Fish earrings. I enjoyed that seller's site, too. I have bookmarked it for future shopping.

I can see how simular the sounds are for butterfly and fortune. What a nice page you found to explain it with audio too.

 

[Seastheday]

i found a really cute untreated jadeite piece but it is undrilled. I’d love to wear something like this as a pendant but would it be hard to ask a local jeweler to drill a hole into it?

What would have pieces like this been for since they have no drill hole?

 

[Pomelo]

i found a really cute untreated jadeite piece but it is undrilled. I’d love to wear something like this as a pendant but would it be hard to ask a local jeweler to drill a hole into it?

What would have pieces like this been for since they have no drill hole?

This is a gorgeous piece. It’s a pretty sizeable pixiu, a mythical creature that’s supposed to resemble a lion-dragon hybrid. What are its dimensions?

Typically they’re undrilled and set in claws, can be simply set or have a pave surround.

As with other motifs in jadeite, the pixiu has its own meaning - in this case, protector and bringer of wealth. They are thus left undrilled so that wealth does not “leak away”.

Any drilled pixiu in China would be considered unlucky and devalue the piece (even if the drill hole is shallow for a bale to be stuck in, and not fully drilled through), but if you don’t intend on selling it on and want to wear it drilled, feel free!

If you want a drilled pendant, then either a bi or a big bead is the typical option

Example of pendant found online:



I tried on a lavender pixiu ring which was returned:


And just saw this pixiu ring on Rednote that reminded me of the piece you posted

 

[Crimson]

This kaleidoscope of jadeite color is making me want one in every shade! You found my weak spot, Crimson. But I have to say, the above cab possesses the finest lavender color I have ever seen in a gem, period.

It caught my eye immediately, even though it’s not very big.
It was sitting in a display of luscious green jadeite — my eye immediately went to it because it’s so bright and cheerful. I am trying to resist buying it, but I might not succeed.

@Crimson That lavender is amazingly saturated!

I'm catching up. Silly me, I thought I would complete a painting for a competition the same day it was due. I get these ideas sometimes. That worked out about as well as one would suppose. My painted sky would simply not cooperate, but I suppose if you paint once a year, then you get rusty, that should be expected. Oh well, there is always next year.

Crimson, my friend, you know me so well. I love the understanding and explainations. I love the little Fish earrings. I enjoyed that seller's site, too. I have bookmarked it for future shopping.
I can see how simular the sounds are for butterfly and fortune. What a nice page you found to explain it with audio too.

Painting! Wow, that is a talent. How wonderful. It must be to be absorbed in depicting the sky. Sounds relaxing and yet demanding. I am like you sometimes. I’ll decide that I want to write an article and just go into hyperfocus for a day or two. Sometimes that works well.
Glad you enjoyed the sounds. Chinese is fun because of the tones.

 

[Crimson]

i found a really cute untreated jadeite piece but it is undrilled. I’d love to wear something like this as a pendant but would it be hard to ask a local jeweler to drill a hole into it?

What would have pieces like this been for since they have no drill hole?

Such a lovely, chubby Pixiu!
@Pomelo is right. It would be a shame to drill it.
It can be set like a cabochon instead.
Below are my photos of the Pixiu and other mythical creatures at the Forbidden City.
Pixiu don’t always look cute; they are fearsome too, because they guard the palace. At the same time, they are supposed to attract wealth.
Pixiu also come in male and female, and some people wear a pair of Pixiu on a bracelet. It is also suggested that Pixiu are not suitable for everyone, especially not for young children or the elderly.

So — which one is a Pixiu?

 

[Seastheday]

@Pomelo Thanks so much for the helpful information!

@Crimson Those sculptures are so beautiful. Is the Pixiu the last one? The first looks like a cute lion? The second a turtle?