OK everyone, I'm in a situation where I have to make a decision. I bought an estate brilliant emerald green bangle on ebay from an antique 'store' in Australia for $200. They advertised it as nephrite with a few natural stone lines.
I know the dangers of ebay, but wanted try anyway and thought that because nephrite treatment is easier to detect than jadeite, and because it is rarely treated, my risk would be low. Upon opening the box last night, it was obvious that the bangle is jadeite. It has an absolutely gorgeous, brilliant green which matches my emerald ring perfectly. I ran tests and it is clearly not B jade. I have tested for dye in a number of ways including loupe, chemicals, UV light. (No chelsea filter though.) My husband is going to look at it under the microscope tonight to look for microscopic dye concentrations. Here is the problem. It has major stone lines running the curve of the bangle for half of the way around. They are quite extreme, bordering on fractures. On looking at it on, one would not notice them. And they are a testament to the harsh geological conditions in which it formed. They are not man enduced cracks, and I've never known cracks to run along the round length of the bangle. I know that if the bangle were perfect, I would NEVER be able to afford this color. Major stone lines definitely effect the value. Also, I think the price was so low because the sellers are uneducated about jadeite and don't know the difference bt. that and nephrite. My question is would you keep it or return it for a refund? I'll post pictures in a bit. This bangle is one of compromise. Perfect stone with more subdued color, or imperfect stone with amazing color. The color really pops, is fresh and looks very natural due to the way it undulates and changes according to the inner crystal structure. It has a fair amount of translucency. What would you do?
My instinct is to keep it. I'll post pics when my husband gets home from work. He's got the camera in the car. 
