4 Essential Tricks to Appraise Jade Like a Pro
Jade is a popular green gemstone, comparable to emeralds, and also suitable for those with a limited budget as it's more affordable. Despite its lower hardness on the Mohs scale, jade remains popular today and its popularity is steadily increasing. Jade is believed to be an auspicious stone that enhances wealth, prosperity, and brings good fortune with a steady flow of money. But how do you know if the jade you've purchased is worth the price you paid? Today, we're sharing 4 simple tricks for appraising authentic jade that you need to know.
4 Key Considerations for Appraising Jade
1. Color of Jade
You might think genuine jade only comes in green, but it actually has a wide variety of shades, such as light green, dark green, light purple, dark purple, brown, white, orange, and black, among others. Each jade color has a different name; for example, purple jade is called lavender jade, brown jade is called honey jade, and white or clear jade is called colorless jade. The most valuable and globally standardized jade color is green, ranging from bluish-green to yellowish-green. High-quality green jade is known as Imperial Jade.
2. Texture or Pattern of Jade
High-quality, translucent jade is called "honey jade." Typically, when good quality jade is magnified, you can see fine linear patterns running through it. There's also another type called opaque or solid jade, which appears cloudy and non-translucent. For high-quality jade, it must naturally be translucent with a beautiful green color, and its price will be higher than opaque jade. The pattern of the jade also affects its value; unusual, unique, or one-of-a-kind patterns can significantly increase its worth.
3. Clarity and Imperfections
High-quality jade must have excellent clarity, meaning it's free of imperfections or has very few. It should be devoid of dust contamination, white or black spots, or any "moles." The texture should be smooth and uniform. The fewer the imperfections in jade, the higher its price. However, we do not recommend buying jade with cracks, as this will significantly decrease its value.
4. Shape or Form
The shape of jade must be well-proportioned. Most jade pieces are typically cut into a cabochon or "turtleback" shape. Generally, if the shape is plump and rounded like a "steamed bun," it will have a higher value. If it's flatter, the value will decrease accordingly. The value fluctuates based on the jade's shape. Often, jade is shaped to appear thinner, which allows its color to open up and look more translucent. However, if a jade piece has a plump, "steamed bun" shape while still displaying a clear, vibrant green color, it's considered exceptionally good. Nonetheless, it's usually polished to enhance its transparency to another level.
How Much Does Authentic Jade Cost?
The price of authentic jade starts from a few thousand baht and goes upwards. The cost largely depends on its weight or caratage, and also on the quality of the individual jade piece. High-quality jade, or "Imperial Jade," with a translucent green color, beautiful texture, no flaws or cracks, and a plump cabochon ("steamed bun") shape, will have a significantly higher value and be highly sought after in the market.
The four techniques we've shared will help you appraise jade like a professional, allowing you to determine if the jade you've purchased is reasonably priced and how good its quality truly is. If you're looking to acquire beautiful, high-quality jade jewelry, you should choose a trustworthy diamond and gemstone retailer like Petchchompoo Jewelry. We meticulously select premium-grade diamonds and gemstones to create stunning, modern, and timeless jewelry designs. We guarantee you'll be impressed.