How To Tell If Jade Is Real

The sale of jades began growing at a rapid rate a few years ago, which has encouraged the market to increase production of jade to keep up with the demand. As a result of this high demand, manufacturers began to produce fake jades to meet the demands of customers. 

Today, buyers have a hard time telling the difference between real and fake jade due to the production of fake jade. That is why in this article we will teach you how to spot fake jade along with everything you need to know so that you can pick the right piece of jade.

What Is Jade?

Jade is traditionally known as a gemstone mainly used in jewelry fashion. The gemstone is commonly known for its stunning green color. One thing that many people do not know about jade is that there are actually other two colors of jade that are stunning but are not nearly as well known. These colors are yellow and white jade.

In the world of jade, there are two types, one is nephrite (calcium and magnesium silicates) and the other is jadeite (sodium and aluminum silicates). Jadeite and nephrite are both considered to be genuine kinds of jade.

How Is Jade Graded?

The enhancement process divides jade into different types/grades such as pure, mixed, or other types. It is often referred to as “ABC Order” and graded accordingly;

Type/Grade A 

This jade has not undergone any artificial process to make it look natural. It is 100% natural because it is not polished artificially but naturally i.e. by beeswax that has acid esters of 1% only. 

Type/Grade B

This jade was naturally formed, but a purifying process was used to bring out its pure green color. The jade is inoculated with polymer resin in order to slightly eradicate any yellowish, white, or other hues. 

Type/Grade C

The jade is artificially dyed, which can reduce jade’s translucency, which means that no light can pass through.

Type/Grade B+C

This is a combination of both type B and type C jade which means this type is dyed and polished artificially.

What Is Fake Jade?

Fake jade is any type of jade that does not belong to either nephrite or jadeite crystal. These are the two genuine kinds of jade and if any stone does not belong to either, it is the fake one. 

Chrysoprase, a fine gem assortment of chalcedony, is the gemstone that is the same as jade – green and jade-like. It is not the real jade but the one same in design and color.  

If you slightly move the jade on your cheek and if you feel roughness, it is then also a fake product. The fake jade has no whitish and sparkling side on the surface.

How To Spot Fake Jade

In the world, jade is considered to be one of the most valuable stones. Because of this, there are also imitations of real jades. This is why it is important to determine whether the jade you are holding is real or not. You can use the steps outlined below to spot fake jade;

Check If The Jade Is Equally Colored

The genuine jade gemstones differ slightly in color, because the gemstones are mined, not artificially created. Natural stones will have irregular markings on their surfaces. It is an imitation if the jade has the same color throughout and has no color markings. 

Look For White-Watery Color  

An important aspect to consider when checking imitation stones is the color. If you see a white-watery color reflecting the light, it is a real stone. You will notice this color on either of its ends.

Warm-Up Test

Genuine gemstones do not stay warm for a long time – if they are warmed, they get cool quickly. If you want to test this, hold the stone tightly in your hand for at least one minute and let your hand be closed. Now, what do you feel? If the stone is still cool, it is genuine. 

Note: The fake jade can also stay cool in low temperatures (cold situation). So, try this test under the average or high temperature (heat) condition.

Scratching Test

To try this scratching test, rub the gemstone with the nails of your fingers or move it tightly along the rough wall. In both conditions, if the gemstone gets scratched it is not genuine.

High-density Checking

To try this, throw your stone in the air and catch it at once – just like a toss. If you feel it is somewhat heavy, it is then real because real gemstones have high density due to their crystalline structure and formation.

Ask A Jeweler

After checking the stone with those tests and techniques, if you still cannot spot fake jade. Then, visit the jewelry shop and get it checked there. Try to ask the jeweler to tell the stone price as if you are selling it. If the jeweler says the same amount or a little bit high/low as compared to the price real stone is of, it is then valued and it means you have real jade in your hands. The real stones are valued rather than devalued due to their cultural and spiritual morality.

Where To Buy Real Jade

You can buy this stone either from a shop near to you or from well-known selling online jewelers. 

To buy from the shop, find out the exact shop that is famous for its stones and buy the one from there after checking the color and texture as the real gemstone. 

It is sometimes or more often risky to buy the stone online because you cannot check it comfortably as you can if the stone were in your hands. But, if you want to buy online visit a reputable online jeweler such as Kay Jewelers or Blue Nile.