Jade is a name used for two different mineral families: jadeite and nephrite. Both have a long cultural history and can be beautiful, but they are not the same material. In the jewellery world, knowing which one you are looking at is the first step toward asking better questions.
This guide introduces the language often used when discussing jadeite. It is not a substitute for laboratory identification: treatment status, material identity and other conclusions should be supported by an appropriate report from a qualified gem laboratory.
Jadeite and nephrite: two kinds of jade
Jadeite is a pyroxene mineral, while nephrite is an amphibole mineral. Their crystal structures differ, which affects the way each material feels, reflects light and is worked. Jadeite is especially valued for its range of colour, translucency and compact grain; nephrite is known for its even, mellow appearance and exceptional toughness.
Neither name alone decides beauty or worth. A well-made piece of nephrite can be deeply appealing, and jadeite varies widely in colour, texture and transparency. A responsible description should identify the material clearly rather than using the word 'jade' as if it were one substance.
What A, B and C jadeite describe
In the trade, these letters describe treatment status rather than a simple quality ranking. 'Type A' jadeite refers to natural jadeite that has not been chemically bleached or polymer impregnated. Traditional wax finishing may be used in normal jewellery finishing, but it is not the same as polymer impregnation.
'Type B' jadeite has generally been chemically bleached and then impregnated with polymer to improve its appearance. 'Type C' jadeite has been artificially coloured. A piece may be described as B+C when both forms of treatment are present. Treatments can affect durability, appearance over time and how a piece should be represented to a buyer.
- Ask for a report that identifies the material and states treatment status where applicable.
- Read the wording on the report itself; do not rely only on a verbal description or a product label.
- If a claim is important to your decision, confirm the issuing laboratory and report number independently.
Reading texture and transparency: what 'zhong' means
In Chinese jadeite vocabulary, 'zhong' is commonly used to describe the fineness and compactness of the material's texture. Terms such as glassy, icy, glutinous-icy and glutinous are useful shorthand, but they are descriptive language rather than internationally fixed grades.
Transparency is one part of the picture, not the entire picture. Look at how light enters the material, whether the structure appears fine or granular, and whether the overall visual effect is harmonious. View jadeite in neutral daylight as well as indoor light, because lighting can change the impression of transparency considerably.
Colour: hue, saturation, tone and distribution
Jadeite colour is best considered as a relationship among hue, saturation, tone and distribution. Green, lavender, white, yellow and red-toned material can all be desirable when the colour suits the piece and the material's character. A vivid colour is not automatically better if it is overly dark, uneven in an unappealing way or disconnected from the design.
Colour distribution may be even, cloud-like, ribboned or concentrated in one area. Rather than treating one pattern as universally superior, consider whether it creates balance, movement and a pleasing focal point. Compare pieces under consistent lighting and do not make decisions from heavily filtered photographs alone.
Natural features are part of close observation
Jadeite can show mineral features such as colour variation, cotton-like clouds, grain, veins and fissures. These are not interchangeable terms, and their significance depends on location, visibility, stability and the overall piece. A natural feature can contribute character; a structural fissure in a high-stress area may require more careful consideration.
Ask to see a piece from more than one angle and under more than one light source. For bangles and other wearable forms, inspect edges, inner surfaces and areas near openings or settings. Clear photography and candid explanation help a collector understand what is being offered.
The most useful first question is not 'Which label is best?' but 'What exactly is this piece, and what evidence supports that description?' With careful observation and appropriate documentation, learning jadeite becomes a more confident and personal experience.