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Real Or Fake? The Ultimate Guide To Spotting Genuine Chinese Jadeite (Especially When Buying Online)
Real Or Fake? The Ultimate Guide To Spotting Genuine Chinese Jadeite (Especially When Buying Online)
“Is this real jade?”
That is the first question almost every buyer asks when they see a beautiful green bangle, ring, or pendant.
The problem: modern treatments and imitations are so good that even experienced collectors can be fooled by photos. From dyed quartz to polymer-filled jadeite (“B-jade”) to cheap resin copies, the market is full of pieces that look like top-grade Chinese jadeite but are worth a fraction of the price.
This guide explains, in clear language, how to tell real from fake Chinese jadeite — especially when you are shopping online. You will learn:
The difference between jadeite and nephrite
What A / B / C treated jade really means
Simple at-home tests that reveal a lot
Red flags in photos and product descriptions
When to insist on professional lab reports
First Step: Understand What “Real Chinese Jadeite” Actually Means
Before you can detect fakes, you must be clear on what you are trying to buy.
Jadeite vs. Nephrite: Two Different Minerals
“Jade” is a trade name for two separate minerals: jadeite and nephrite. gia.edu+1
Jadeite
• Mineral: sodium aluminium silicate (NaAlSi₂O₆) Wikipedia
• Hardness: about 6.5–7 on Mohs scale
• Specific gravity: around 3.3–3.4 (quite dense) Pala international
• Appearance: often vivid, glassy or “icy” green, plus lavender, white, yellow, blackNephrite
• Mineral: a calcium magnesium iron silicate
• Slightly softer and less dense than jadeite gia.edu
• Appearance: usually more opaque with an “oily” luster
Both are genuine jade, but Chinese high-end jewelry and investment pieces are usually jadeite jade, particularly vivid green jadeite from Myanmar.
So when you see “Chinese jadeite bangle” or “Burmese jadeite pendant,” the seller should be talking about the jadeite variety – not dyed quartz, serpentine, glass, or plastic.
The A / B / C System: The Secret Code Behind Jadeite Prices
Another key concept is the A/B/C treatment code used in the jade trade. It has a massive impact on value.
Type A Jadeite – Natural, Untreated, Most Valuable
Type A is what serious collectors want:
• Natural jadeite jade
• Only cleaned and polished, sometimes with traditional wax
• No bleaching, no polymer impregnation, no dye Yukimoto
Because Type A preserves the natural structure and color of the stone, it is the most stable and valuable category.
Type B Jadeite – Bleached And Polymer-Filled
Type B jadeite has been:
Soaked in strong acid to remove brown stains and impurities
Impregnated with clear polymer (resin) to fill pores and make the stone look more translucent and bright gia.edu+2MagiLABS+2
The problem:
• Acid weakens the structure
• Resin can age, yellow, or crack over time
• The stone becomes less durable and less valuable, even if it looks bright and attractive at first
Type C Jadeite – Dyed Color
Type C jadeite is:
• Artificially dyed to enhance or completely change color
Green, lavender, or even black dyes are used. Under magnification, dye tends to concentrate along fissures or grain boundaries. Over time, the color can fade or change, especially in sunlight or chemicals.
Type B+C Jadeite – Both Treated And Dyed
Some stones are both bleached, polymer-filled, and dyed. These are at the bottom of the value ladder.
For a strong, long-term purchase, aim for certified Type A jadeite whenever your budget allows.
10 At-Home Checks To Help You Spot Real vs Fake Jadeite
No home test is 100% perfect, and only a gemological laboratory can give a final answer. But these simple checks will help you filter out many fakes and problematic stones.
1. Temperature Test: Real Jade Feels Cool
Genuine jadeite is dense and conducts heat slowly, so it feels cool to the touch and takes time to warm in your hand. Many sellers and labs note that this “cold feel” is one of the classic signs of jadeite. MAYS GEMS+1
Imitations like plastic or resin warm up much faster.
Tip:
Hold the stone against your cheek or lips. Real jadeite usually feels noticeably cooler than room temperature.
2. Weight Test: Real Jadeite Feels Heavy
Because jadeite has a specific gravity around 3.3–3.4, it feels heavy for its size. Pala international+1
Compare:
• Real jadeite: solid, weighty feeling
• Plastic/resin: very light
• Glass: similar weight, but other tests (below) will distinguish it
3. Luster And Surface Look
Under strong light, high-quality jadeite has:
• A waxy to glassy luster
• Smooth, slightly “oily” surface when polished Wikipedia+1
Fake jade from glass or low-end plastic often looks:
• Too shiny (mirror-like) or
• Dull and lifeless, with no depth
Look at reflections. Real jadeite usually shows soft, rounded reflections, not harsh mirrored flashes.
4. Magnification: Search For Bubbles, Fissures, And Dye
Use a jeweler’s loupe (10x) or a macro phone lens.
What to look for:
• Gas bubbles – tiny round dots inside indicate glass imitation.
• Straight, sharp lines – molded or pressed marks in plastic.
• Concentrated color in cracks or pits – a sign of dyed stones. The dye tends to pool in fissures, which is typical for Type C jade or dyed serpentine sold as “jade.” Sobling+1
Natural jadeite, especially Type A, typically shows a fibrous or granular texture without bubbles or strong dye concentrations.
5. Scratch Test (With Caution)
Jadeite’s hardness is about 6.5–7, similar to quartz. gia.edu+1
• A steel knife (hardness ~5.5) should not easily scratch it.
• However, other gemstones can scratch jadeite, and you can damage a valuable piece, so this test is not recommended for finished jewelry.
If a knife leaves a deep, easy scratch, you are not dealing with real jadeite.
6. Sound Test For Bangles And Beads
If you have two jade rings or bangles:
• Gently tap them together.
• Fine jadeite often produces a clear, bell-like ring.
• Glass may sound higher-pitched and brittle; plastic makes a dull thud.
Do this very carefully — never strike hard enough to risk chipping.
7. UV Light (Black Light) Check
Under long-wave UV light:
• Most natural jadeite is inert or shows weak fluorescence. Wikipedia
• Synthetic polymers or some dyes may fluoresce more strongly (blue, green, or other colors).
This is not a final test, but a strong, uneven glow in certain areas may indicate treatments.
8. Look For Unrealistic Perfection
Be suspicious if:
• The color is perfectly uniform neon green across the entire piece, especially at a low price.
• Every bead in a strand is exactly the same intense hue and transparency, yet the cost is minimal.
Real jadeite usually has gentle color variations, some cloudy zones, or subtle streaks. Perfect, “radioactive” color often points to dye.
9. The “Too Good To Be True” Price Rule
Natural A-jade, especially in strong green or icy translucent qualities, is rare and valuable. If a seller offers:
• “Imperial green Burmese jadeite bangle” for the price of costume jewelry,
assume something is wrong — either heavy treatment, imitation material, or misleading labeling. SpringCity Dream+1
10. Trustworthy Seller And Documentation
Ultimately, the strongest protection is who you buy from:
• Reputable dealers who specialize in jade
• Clear return policies
• Gemological certificates from respected labs
If the seller hides, refuses, or ignores questions about treatment and certification, walk away.
Why Photos Can Lie: Special Risks When Buying Jadeite Online
Online shopping is convenient, but jadeite is especially tricky to judge in photos.
Lighting Tricks
Sellers can use:
• Strong light from behind to make opaque jade look more translucent
• Green-tinted lighting or filters to enhance color
• Heavy editing to remove dark spots or make texture appear finer
Always ask for:
Photos in natural daylight
Close-up, unedited shots
Short videos showing how the stone looks in motion
Background Color And Skin Tone
A jade bangle placed on very pale skin or a white background may look more vibrant. Against darker backgrounds, color is revealed more realistically.
If every photo is heavily staged with dramatic backgrounds and filters, request at least one plain, neutral-light shot.
CGI Or AI-Generated Images
As image-generation tools get better, you may encounter listings using unrealistic renders. Warning signs:
• The jade looks almost “too perfect,” like glass
• The same image appears under multiple different brand names or prices
Reverse-image search can sometimes expose copied or stock photos.
The Power Of Lab Certification: Your Best Defense Against Fake Jadeite
For anything beyond low-cost fashion pieces, professional testing is worth the investment.
What Do Gem Labs Actually Test?
Reputable labs (GIA, NGI, Raffles, local national gem labs, etc.) use: gia.edu+2gia.edu+2
• Refractive index measurements
• Specific gravity and density tests
• Microscopic examination
• Infrared spectroscopy or Raman spectroscopy to detect polymer impregnation and distinguish jadeite from nephrite and other lookalikes
Studies show that infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy are particularly effective at identifying polymer-impregnated B-type jade. gia.edu+2MagiLABS+2
What Should A Good Certificate Say?
Look for these details:
Identity: “Natural jadeite jade” or “Natural jadeite”
Treatment: “No indications of impregnation or dyeing detected” (for Type A)
Color description and transparency
Measurements and weight
Lab name, logo, and report number
Some labs will also note: “Fei Cui (jadeite, omphacite, kosmochlor)” when analyzing mixed pyroxene aggregates, which is a technical term used in Chinese markets. MDPI+1
When Is A Certificate Essential?
You should always insist on independent certification when:
• Buying “imperial green” or very expensive icy jade
• Buying as an investment or heirloom
• Buying online from overseas sellers with no local reputation
For small fashion pieces at low price points, a certificate may be optional — but for serious jade, it is non-negotiable.
Quick Reference: Real vs Fake Chinese Jadeite (Cheat Sheet)
Use this simple table as a fast reminder:
| Feature | Genuine Jadeite (Type A) | Common Fakes / Treated Stones |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Cool, heavy, solid | Light (plastic), or glassy but too perfect |
| Luster | Waxy to glassy, soft reflections | Dull or mirror-like, harsh reflections |
| Color | Slightly uneven, natural gradients | Neon or very uniform green at low price |
| Internal Features | Fibrous/granular, no bubbles | Bubbles (glass), dye concentrated in cracks (Type C) |
| Treatments | None (only wax) | Acid-bleached, polymer-filled, dyed |
| Price | Reflects rarity and quality | “Too good to be true” offers |
| Lab Report | From recognized gem lab, states “natural jadeite jade” | No report, vague promises, or unverifiable documents |
