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Jade Color Help

Seastheday

Seastheday

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 6, 2024
Messages
71
That color and texture look sensational, as does the high translucency -- seemingly bordering on transparency in places. May even be accurately described as Imperial. I do see some structure in some areas. I can't tell how big it is and have not clicked on the link to avoid biasing myself (fun for me; unhelpful for you) but I think it is really lovely. Not quite the "Could that be a cab emerald?!" stratum but miles better than nearly all the jadeite we see here.

OK, I peeked. Price looks too good for that photo, imo. Looks like there is an A-jade GIA report. At that quality, a subtle difference in hue or transparency could mean a log in price so hard to say from some glamour shots. The video was a little less compelling.
 
Thank you both!

@LilAlex Should I be asking for photos that are backlit? Or any other photos that may be helpful here to get a better sense of clarity/inclusions?

I’m totally new to jade when it comes to buying. I have a few inherited pieces of nothing too impressive. This one caught my eye due to its rich green color. But a little scared to take the leap!
 
Seastheday said:
Should I be asking for photos that are backlit? Or any other photos that may be helpful here to get a better sense of clarity/inclusions?
Click to expand...

I'd rather have someone else corroborate my opinion here. Yes, back-lighting would let you see the heterogeneity. It has a lovely glassy/gemmy look in those photos. If it actually looks like that, it would tempt me in the store for sure.

I have been fooled. I bought an "online-lovely" piece years ago that I sent back -- was much coarser-grained in person and quite mottled when transilluminated. I later missed out on two nice ones that I did see in person but hesitated on.

Maybe ask them to hold it for you if you are serious? Not sure what to make of the price drop or 1st Dibs pricing in general. I do not know this vendor or how much confidence to have in the assertion about the vintage, etc.
 
Hello @Seastheday, and thanks @Autumn in New England. I am just back on Pricescope after five grueling weeks at work.
Jadeite is called imperial Green when it meets multiple standards, of which color is just one. The most important standard is 种水which literally means origin and water - imperial jadeite has the finest texture and is watery looking, almost glassy. The color of imperial green is pure green with a tad more blue and slightly darker tone. But it’s not only the color but also the uniformity or homogeneity of both color and texture throughout. imperial Green jadeite is reactive to light. When exposed to very bright light or photographed in direct bright light it can look rather wild. Because of its fine texture and water, it is highly reactive to light.
For any kind of jadeite you should be able to see light and glow from the top and side. There is no need to illuminate from behind unless it is omphacite.
Below I have attached two photos to give an idea of texture and glow. The first is a vendor’s photo. The second is a photo of a ring I contemplated （the price was $100,000）. As you can see, the stone isn’t that large, only about 10x8mm.
It is not likely that one would be able get a larger piece of imperial green jadeite for much less. If it were truly imperial green, it would probably not be carved but cut into a cabochon or some other plain piece that would show off its texture.
Although the pendant seems nice, I cannot get a sense of texture from the photos. Jadeite is very hard to photograph If you wish to continue considering this piece, please ask for photos in daylight, outdoors as well as not directly lit, indoors.


IMG_3598.jpegIMG_3599.jpeg
 
@Crimson Thank you very much for your knowledge and help. That ring is really lovely.

I will try to obtain more photos from vendor.
 
It’s incredibly beautiful but top quality jade isn’t something I feel you can appreciate from photos or even videos. Also, unlike a lab report for say an Unheated ruby from Burma where the lab report supports all the factors that equals the $$$$ ie origin, Unheated status, carat weight and colour, a jade report doesn’t cover any of those nuances that equal the big $$$$.
That in my opinion makes it tricky for someone who doesn’t have either the knowledge or experience to make a judgement call that the jade is good enough to warrant the price.
 
Crimson said:
Hello @Seastheday, and thanks @Autumn in New England. I am just back on Pricescope after five grueling weeks at work.
Jadeite is called imperial Green when it meets multiple standards, of which color is just one. The most important standard is 种水which literally means origin and water - imperial jadeite has the finest texture and is watery looking, almost glassy. The color of imperial green is pure green with a tad more blue and slightly darker tone. But it’s not only the color but also the uniformity or homogeneity of both color and texture throughout. imperial Green jadeite is reactive to light. When exposed to very bright light or photographed in direct bright light it can look rather wild. Because of its fine texture and water, it is highly reactive to light.
For any kind of jadeite you should be able to see light and glow from the top and side. There is no need to illuminate from behind unless it is omphacite.
Below I have attached two photos to give an idea of texture and glow. The first is a vendor’s photo. The second is a photo of a ring I contemplated （the price was $100,000）. As you can see, the stone isn’t that large, only about 10x8mm.
It is not likely that one would be able get a larger piece of imperial green jadeite for much less. If it were truly imperial green, it would probably not be carved but cut into a cabochon or some other plain piece that would show off its texture.
Although the pendant seems nice, I cannot get a sense of texture from the photos. Jadeite is very hard to photograph If you wish to continue considering this piece, please ask for photos in daylight, outdoors as well as not directly lit, indoors.


IMG_3598.jpegIMG_3599.jpeg
Click to expand...

This post should be pinned as a crash course in jadeite buying!
 
Seastheday said:
@Crimson & @LilAlex, seller is very responsive and helpful, here are some more photos. He believes the darker areas are not due to mottling or thicker grain, but rather increased thickness of the carving in some areas.

IMG_1646.jpeg

Thoughts?

Thanks so much in advance!
Click to expand...

The most important photo of these four is the last one. It shows that the jadeite is polished but not quite so glowing. The other photos don’t tell you much about how it will look when worn because you are not going to wear it with a light behind the piece. It has to be able to perform on its own.
The others show photos show some black spots (not unusual in jadeite but try to keep those to a minimum). The seller is also right that some areas are darker because of differences in thickness. The texture doesn’t look very fine to me, but as @Bron357 points out, it is hard to tell from photos. For what it is worth and to be very frank, I would say the 1stDibs piece has attractive carving, is not highly watery, has less than fine texture, is intensely but not evenly colored, and is rather dark in tone. If you are buying it for the design and carving, then these factors would not matter too much but it is not imperial green jadeite. Btw I checked the site. There is another pendant with what the seller calls imperial jadeite. It is not but the jadeite on that pendant is better and livelier.
Here are two pics of my ring that is closest to imperial jadeite. Both photos were taken indoors, in regular indoor, overhead lighting.

IMG_3616.jpegIMG_3618.jpeg
 
@Seastheday you are most welcome! I am glad you passed on that. =)2 The asking price was too high. You could do better, and please enjoy the search.
Here are some nice pieces: that I saw and tried on recently at one of my fav local jewelers.
This is a bright and lively sun green jadeite ring. The price is in Singapore dollars.
This is a huge ring, good value for money but it was too big and heavy for me, and the ring shank is thick too. The jadeite is big but not as watery as the one above. https://oncheong.com/product/pine-flower-jadeite-diamond-ring/
This pendant looks quite pretty.
oncheong.com

Elysian Ruby Diamond Jadeite Pendant - On Cheong Jewellery

On Cheong Jewellery offers a wide suite of jewellery ranging from bracelets to earrings, jadeite to sapphires! Each piece is intricately crafted only by experienced craftsmen to ensure your pieces will last the test of time and cherished for generations.
oncheong.com oncheong.com
When I get the time I will start a thread on evaluating jadeite, as @Autumn in New England suggested :mrgreen2:
 
Last edited:
Crimson said:
When I get the time I will start a thread on evaluating jadeite, as @Autumn in New England suggested :mrgreen2:
Click to expand...

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