Jadeite fans part 2

[Lovinggems]

I was going to bump up MTG''s thread but I can no longer post a reply.

Here''s the link to the original thread:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/jadeite-fans.111676/

I would like to get a really nice lavender with green jadeite bangle one day (one of the many things on my wishlist), so I''m going to start by posting some photos of beautiful jadeite bangles. Bear in mind I have never bought from this vendor before (too complicated, risky and expensive, especially for a novice like myself), I also hope these photos haven''t been Photoshopped (it''ll be great if anyone can answer this question, the photos look too perfect to me).

I hope everyone can share their jadeite knowledge and buying experiences.

 

[Lovinggems]

Lavender with green bangle, described as icy glass quality. Listed approximately $8k USD on the webiste.

 

[Lovinggems]

A very very expensive glass quality bangle.

 

[D&T]

man those are gorgeous colors, i would love to get a lavender one for both my DDs one day. Hopefully someone can provide a reputable online dealer for us.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I like icy bangles over the true glassy ones actually. For some reason, I like just a hint of "cloudiness" in them, because I think it''s what makes it look like jade and not..well...glass. But I''m a little weird like that.

I love my current moss in snow bangle, but I''d LOVE to get another one someday that was a little more translucent. Although my next trip to China won''t be for awhile...sigh.

 

[Lovinggems]

Date: 6/21/2009 4:49:28 PM
Author: D&T
man those are gorgeous colors, i would love to get a lavender one for both my DDs one day. Hopefully someone can provide a reputable online dealer for us.

Yes I need this info too!

 

[Lovinggems]

Date: 6/21/2009 5:02:20 PM
Author: MakingTheGrade
I like icy bangles over the true glassy ones actually. For some reason, I like just a hint of ''cloudiness'' in them, because I think it''s what makes it look like jade and not..well...glass. But I''m a little weird like that.

I love my current moss in snow bangle, but I''d LOVE to get another one someday that was a little more translucent. Although my next trip to China won''t be for awhile...sigh.

MTG
I''ve read somewhere that glassy jade''s popularity is pretty recent, before it wasn''t considered as most desirable.
I might be visiting China this year or the next year, could you please provide some info on where to get A quality jade? Or is it s no go zone for foreigners if you don''t know what to look for?

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Date: 6/21/2009 9:08:34 PM
Author: Lovinggems
MTG

I''ve read somewhere that glassy jade''s popularity is pretty recent, before it wasn''t considered as most desirable.

I might be visiting China this year or the next year, could you please provide some info on where to get A quality jade? Or is it s no go zone for foreigners if you don''t know what to look for?

I guess it depends on how you define recent, I know my aunt''s been collecting it for at least 15 years now. It''s funny that back in the dynasty days, it was actually nephrite that was most valued (because burma jadeite hadn''t been introduced). So when you go to see the natural treasures in the museums, most of it is labeled "jade" in it''s english translation, but it''s mostly nephrite and other types of stones (which I mostly only know chinese names for, lol).

My aunt took me to a great indoor jadeite market in Beijing, if your trip includes a stop there, I can try to get directions for you. It''s a fairly tightly regulated market of good standing. Be ready to haggle though!! Seriously, when I was scoping out my bangle, a "foreigner" was looking at it and a similar one and was quoted 2000$. I ended up buying it for $200. Depending on the vendor, the asking price can be ridiculous so just be prepared. There are some upfront and honest ones, but it''s rare.

I can''t say I know much about any other cities in china though. Sorry!

 

[D&T]

MTG- what about the Asian / Oriental jewelry shops around the US, I have a few in my area, and I know there are tons in CA? what do you think of their qualities? i've seen quite a few, but since I don't know much about Jade or haven't researched them enough, i'm not sure on the quality from them?

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Date: 6/21/2009 11:18:04 PM
Author: D&T
MTG- what about the Asian / Oriental jewelry shops around the US, I have a few in my area, and I know there are tons in CA? what do you think of their qualities? i''ve seen quite a few, but since I don''t know much about Jade or haven''t researched them enough, i''m not sure on the quality from them?

To be honest, this is the first city I''ve lived in with a China town (I''m in Philly), but the jewelery shops looked kind of shady, lol. So I can''t really say much about it, sorry, wish I could be more helpful.

I''ve actually never really tried to buy jade outside of China before since I used to go back twice a year (my entire family is overseas), but I''m afraid my next trip will be awhile so I''d be as happy as anyone else to find a stateside seller!

 

[D&T]

Date: 6/21/2009 11:38:17 PM
Author: MakingTheGrade

Date: 6/21/2009 11:18:04 PM
Author: D&T
MTG- what about the Asian / Oriental jewelry shops around the US, I have a few in my area, and I know there are tons in CA? what do you think of their qualities? i''ve seen quite a few, but since I don''t know much about Jade or haven''t researched them enough, i''m not sure on the quality from them?

To be honest, this is the first city I''ve lived in with a China town (I''m in Philly), but the jewelery shops looked kind of shady, lol. So I can''t really say much about it, sorry, wish I could be more helpful.

I''ve actually never really tried to buy jade outside of China before since I used to go back twice a year (my entire family is overseas), but I''m afraid my next trip will be awhile so I''d be as happy as anyone else to find a stateside seller!

I''m curious now, I might just have to visit the jewelers here

and check them out and report back... We used to have a family friend that owned a jewelry shop in UT, but I don''t live there any longer so I don''t visit the shop any more.

 

[Lovinggems]

Date: 6/21/2009 10:47:53 PM
Author: MakingTheGrade

Date: 6/21/2009 9:08:34 PM
Author: Lovinggems
MTG

I''ve read somewhere that glassy jade''s popularity is pretty recent, before it wasn''t considered as most desirable.

I might be visiting China this year or the next year, could you please provide some info on where to get A quality jade? Or is it s no go zone for foreigners if you don''t know what to look for?

I guess it depends on how you define recent, I know my aunt''s been collecting it for at least 15 years now. It''s funny that back in the dynasty days, it was actually nephrite that was most valued (because burma jadeite hadn''t been introduced). So when you go to see the natural treasures in the museums, most of it is labeled ''jade'' in it''s english translation, but it''s mostly nephrite and other types of stones (which I mostly only know chinese names for, lol).

My aunt took me to a great indoor jadeite market in Beijing, if your trip includes a stop there, I can try to get directions for you. It''s a fairly tightly regulated market of good standing. Be ready to haggle though!! Seriously, when I was scoping out my bangle, a ''foreigner'' was looking at it and a similar one and was quoted 2000$. I ended up buying it for $200. Depending on the vendor, the asking price can be ridiculous so just be prepared. There are some upfront and honest ones, but it''s rare.

I can''t say I know much about any other cities in china though. Sorry!

Thanks MTG, I hope I can make it to China at end of this year to check out the market, fingers crossed my arm is better by then.

 

[chrono]

For jadeite that looks that watery and under $10 USD, I’m pretty sure it isn’t real jadeite or has been dyed. You really have to watch out for fakes, lookalikes and treatments.

I have to say I love the glassy ones. They make me feel all weak and blubbery when I see one.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Well, for what it''s worth, when I bought my bangle it came with a certificate from the China University of Geosciences, which is a well known and respected school (or so my aunt tells me). I can scan it in if you want to see what it looks like in case you want to know for your trip to china.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Here's the first real piece of jadeite I ever bought, it's a carving of a chinese pi xiu (it's a mythological creature, supposed to be lucky) on a conch shell.

I bought it for 10$ when I was a tween, so it's obviously not the best of the best (it has little natural brown mineral inclusions), but I really love it. It's thick but still a little translucent, and I just love the soft, creamy color and watery look. Unfortunately the camera is having a hard time with the color, ah well.

I also just love the feel of jadeite! The only problem is the piece is too heavy for me to really wear normally.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Just some fun info:
"Prices. Next to certain rare colors of diamond (such as blue, pink and red), jadeite is the world’s most expensive gem, with prices above even ruby and sapphire. The record price for a single piece of jadeite jewelry was set at the November 1997 Christie’s Hong Kong sale: Lot 1843, the “Doubly Fortunate” necklace of 27 approximately 15 mm jadeite beads, sold for US$9.3 million. Indeed, out of the top ten most expensive jewels sold worldwide by Christie’s in 1999, five out of ten were jadeite, including three of the top four. These auctions clearly show that jadeite is among the most valuable of all gemstones."
-Richard W Hughes (from Palagems website)

 

[chrono]

I like the weird feeling of cold jade when you first wear it, then it warms up as you wear it longer.

 

[grapegravity]

I bought my lavender jade bangle from a very nice ebay seller from US.... It came with a reputable Jade certificate from Taiwan...

I have also bought an ice jade pendant from this online Jade seller.. His price is reasonable if you're just looking for some Type A jade...

You can see a pic of them at the old Jadeite thread

 

[Indylady]

So interesting! I really love that carved jade pendant. I saw a new jade cabochon from Wild Fish Gems a couple days ago that was just gorgeous.

 

[Harriet]

Date: 6/20/2009 11:15:23 PM
Author: Lovinggems
Lavender with green bangle, described as icy glass quality. Listed approximately $8k USD on the webiste.

Love it. As a supposed Mandarin speaker, I'm ashamed to say that that site drives me crazy.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Date: 6/22/2009 11:57:40 PM
Author: Harriet

Date: 6/20/2009 11:15:23 PM

Author: Lovinggems

Lavender with green bangle, described as icy glass quality. Listed approximately $8k USD on the webiste.

Love it. As a supposed Mandarin speaker, I''m ashamed to say that that site drives me crazy.

What site is this?

 

[choyoyo]

I love jadeite too, but other than mason kay, I don''t know any reputable specialist dealers of jade in the US.