How do I know if my jade is real?

Question

I bought a jade buda necklace pendant and for all I can tell it's real but I want to make sure.

I took it off for the first time since i bought it and it gets cold within seconds. I scratched it with a sharp knife and no mark was made. There is no metal setting, there's a hold in the jade at the top, very small, and a silver hoop through that. I'm thinking I made a good purchase. All the tests I could perform at home seem to pan out. :)

Answer 1

You can always go to a jeweler to find out. In the future, I would advise going to a jeweler you know/trust/have used in the past, so that you don't have to doubt the quality of the goods.

Answer 2

Jade refers to two different gems - Jadeite and Nephrite. To tell these two stones apart from other gemstones, all you really need to do is get a specific gravity measurement (i.e. a ratio between how much the stone weighs in air versus in water). Jadeite is 3.33 and Nephrite is 2.95. Simulants will vary. For e.g. Quartz is 2.56. Seasoned gemstone enthusiasts will also be able to identify jade based on its color, luster, inclusions and other physical features.

There are some quick (and non-destructive) tests & observations you can conduct at home that might shed some light on whether you have jade or something else.

Hold the stone in your hand. Does it feel cool to touch? (You may have seen Chinese or Burmese people touch jade to their cheeks to test its coolness as a sign of authenticity.) Observe the texture of the material. If there is a fracture, the texture should be splintery and rough. If it shows fairly smooth flat surfaces and "faults" (cleavage planes), you may have another type of green stone. e.g. Amazonite. If it is polished, does it look like it has a "dimpled" skin? Can you see tiny veining on the surface? If it is translucent, does the material look slightly fibrous? Jadeite tends to have brighter hues and a shinier polish than nephrite, which is more muted in color and subdued in luster.

It's hard to say what you've got based on your description. You may have a "real" gemstone, but it may or may not be jade. Even if it is jade, you may have either jadeite or nephrite. If you have jadeite, it could be A, B or C jade. (A-jade is natural jade that has not been treated in any way. B & C-jade are treated jades that may or may not be dyed as well. It takes an expert to be able to tell without lab equipment, and even then - his opinion will not give you the guarantee that a gem laboratory will.) So you see, it can be a tad complicated!

As a collector of jade, (and as a practising gemologist) I'm pretty accurate at the visual identification of jade. If you have clear photos, send them to me and I'll do my best to help!

Answer 3

A book on gemology could give you tips as to real vs. fake jade. Also, you might get aid from the internet. Ultimately, a gemologist may tell you without any cost to you. I love gems and I call see real from fake, I tell you. But those are my suggestions. Simply saying you can tell the difference with the naked eye I know doesn't help the cause. Here's an idea. Hit a pawn shop and tell you want to get a few bucks. They have testing for gems to make sure the "loan" is regarding a real genuine vs. fake. Also, what it it is set in makes all the difference in the world. If it set in gold or platinum that gem is real. If set in sterling, it may be authentic. Or go the jewelry store and have their gemologitst tell you. If you don't have money to burn, go to a jewely store and look at each oiece of jade on the pretense you might buy. Then I believe you have knowledge to tell the difference. When I buy jewlery, I ask for documentaion that the stone and gold/silver is authenic. If you did that when you made the purchase, it likely real. But you have right to ask for a authenticity certificate. My email is [e-mail]. If you have pics, I can likely tell you.

Answer 4

Jade Buda

Answer 5

It depends if you don't care of the difference between jadeite or nephrite. Nephrite is the more common "jade" (cheaper and more prevalent). This stone has a density of 6.5 (as compared to jadeite at 7.0), and a specific gravity of 2.90-3.02. Nephrite, unlike jadeite (which is considered by many experts to be the only true form of gem-quality jade), is a more common stone found in many areas of the world. Nephrite is mined in Northern China. Although its natural color is best described as eggshell white, nephrite appears in a number of other colors, with the green shades being more somber than jadeite, closer to sage or spinach green, and even green so dark as to look black. When immersed in hydrochloric acid as a test of authenticity, nephrite will have little to no reaction as compared to some stones which are represented as jade (especially serpentine and bowenite, which are softer and react badly to an acid test, as does marble).

Answer 6

I have a jade braclet that my best friend bought me when she went to china. Taste it. I know it sounds pretty wierd, but I know my braclet is real! It tastes cold, bitter and gritty... That might not be totally accurate, but I thought it might be helpful.

Answer 7

if you gently tap it with a peice of metal then get a peice of fake jade they will make differnet noises

Answer 8

Take it to any jewelry shop and get it appraised.

Answer 9

take it to a jeweler and get it appraised in case so meting happens to it.

Answer 10

try to lick it and if it is cold, then it is real. it really works.