Jade has been a prized material across cultures for thousands of years, celebrated for its beauty and deep historical significance. The stone is frequently used in jewelry, art objects, and decorative carvings. However, the term “jade” is often used loosely, leading to confusion about what constitutes the true material. Understanding real jade requires looking beyond surface appearance to the underlying mineral science.
The Two Distinct Types of True Jade
The material known simply as “jade” is an umbrella term for two distinct mineral species: jadeite and nephrite. Both are silicate minerals, but they possess different chemical compositions and internal crystal structures. Nephrite is a calcium magnesium iron silicate belonging to the amphibole mineral group, while jadeite is a sodium aluminum silicate classified as a pyroxene mineral.
These differences result in distinct internal arrangements of crystals. Nephrite has a dense, interwoven fibrous structure, granting it exceptional toughness. Jadeite has a granular, interlocking crystal structure, making it slightly harder on the Mohs scale, but less tough than nephrite. Jadeite is also noticeably denser and feels heavier than nephrite of the same size.
Key Visual and Physical Characteristics
Color
A true piece of jade presents observable characteristics that depend heavily on whether it is nephrite or jadeite. Nephrite is typically found in muted, earthy colors, including creamy white, mid-to-dark olive greens, brown, and black. Jadeite boasts a broader and more vivid color spectrum, featuring emerald green, lavender, vibrant yellow, red, and icy white. The most desirable jadeite color is an intense, vibrant emerald green known as “Imperial Jade,” which often exhibits high transparency.
Luster and Translucency
Luster, the way light interacts with the polished surface, differentiates the two types. Polished nephrite generally displays a soft, waxy, or slightly greasy sheen due to its fine fibrous structure. High-quality jadeite often exhibits a more reflective, glassy, or vitreous luster. Translucency is another important feature, ranging from completely opaque to semi-transparent, where light penetrates just below the surface.
Texture and Feel
True jade has a distinct texture and feel attributable to its dense mineral nature. When held, a genuine piece often feels cool to the touch because of its high specific gravity and ability to disperse heat quickly. The stone should also feel smooth and uniform, sometimes described as silky, due to its tightly packed crystal aggregates. Fine-grained jadeite may even display a slight “orange-peel” effect on its polished surface under magnification, caused by its granular internal structure.
Identifying Treated Jade and Common Look-Alikes
Treated Jade Grading
Genuine jade is frequently subjected to artificial treatments. Gemologists classify jadeite based on treatments using the A, B, and C grading system:
- Type A jade is natural and untreated, only polished with a colorless wax to enhance surface luster. This grade retains its natural color and structural integrity.
- Type B jade has been chemically bleached with acid to remove blemishes. The acid damages the structure, and the stone is impregnated with a polymer resin to improve appearance. Type B jade may appear duller over time as the polymer degrades.
- Type C jade is dyed to introduce color, often after being treated as Type B, resulting in an unnatural hue. Inspection may reveal dye concentrated along fissures or grain boundaries.
Common Look-Alikes
Many other stones are sold as jade look-alikes. The most common is serpentine, often marketed as “New Jade” or “Xiuyan Jade.” Serpentine is significantly softer than true jade (Mohs hardness 2.5 to 5.5), making it easily scratched. It typically has a waxy or soapy luster, lacking the vitreous quality of fine jadeite. Other simulants include dyed quartz, such as Aventurine, and glass, which can often be identified by the presence of small gas bubbles visible under magnification.