Qn on jade bangle

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#107
Ambereyes said:
It's beautiful, and looks very expensive. Please let us know if and when you get it, and please post modeling pix too.
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I do really like it and hope I get it, and if I do, you can bet I'll be posting some modelling pics :p Apparently there's only a very faint lilac hue on the real thing (which I'm fine with) because for some reason cameras tend to intensify purples.
 
#109
Storm Spirit said:
It's here - there are more pics of it for you to drool over :p It has glass like translucence (the most expensive variety) but its description doesn't mention lavender, so might just be the lighting.

My pics are either from the shop above or this shop, both of which have excellent reputation on 3 different forums.

(Prices are in RMB)
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Just curious, I found something I like very much... also from one of the shops at taobao.

Love the carving and the colour, just not sure if I should order online since I don't have access to chinatown where I stay.
 
#110
Storm Spirit, the bangle you like is very nice. I hope u get it:smile1:. I'm assuming all the bangles you posted from the 2 shops are untreated, including the inexpensive ones? Bcos the all look very nice.

Are both shops reputable? Do they sell only untreated jade? I can read chinese but i'm not very good at it and i take forever to read a few lines. All their stuff looks very tempting :p
 
#111
Storm Spirit said:
If you're buying online you need to find a reputable site which might be difficult, because jade bangles don't appeal as much to the Western market, so sources are probably limited. You're also likely to pay over the odds for a bangle, due to the increased costs of exporting and adding another middleman. Only thing I can recommend is to look at a lot of bangles to get an idea of what they normally go for, and haggle when you see something you like.

There's a Chinese proverb which says "you can put a price on gold & silver, but jade is priceless" and it's true - it's very difficult to put a price on jade. Therefore as long as you find something you really love within your budget, it's worth it.

A haggling tip I picked up :graucho:
Even if you're in love with a bangle, you absolutely must pick out its flaws e.g. it's a little too big/small, too green/not green enough, you can see cracks or lines or other imperfections inside of the bangle, etc. And rather than coming up with a random price, ask them what is the lowest price they're willing to sell at, then knock it down from there. It really helps if you know what you're talking about, but if you don't know, act like it :D
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Thank you storm spirit. your haggling tips sound usable.:graucho: The thing is, there is only 1 jade shop in my Chinatown. It is so hard to put a price on jade ! I am going to check out taobao.
 
#112
Ambereyes said:
To add to Storm Spirit's advice. I would bring a small flashlight to shine beneath the jade to check for translucency and undertones, as well as a magnifying glass or loupe to check for pitting. Offer to pay in cash, if possible, and try to visit as many stores as you can to see what the available stock is. Also, be willing to walk away if you do not like the price - if they are having a slow day, or there is a lot of competition in the area (as there usually is in Chinatowns), they will invariably call you back to renegotiate. If you've done your homework, and they believe you know what you are looking for, they will be less inclined to take advantage of you. If you don't like the stock in the counters, as to see the "good stuff" that they keep in the back in safes. Good luck!
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Thank you Ambereyes, i have a mini torch light that i carry with me all the time, guess it is coming in handy. I hope you find your lavender jade bangle soon !!:D
 
#113
BreadnGem said:
Storm Spirit, the bangle you like is very nice. I hope u get it:smile1:. I'm assuming all the bangles you posted from the 2 shops are untreated, including the inexpensive ones? Bcos the all look very nice.

Are both shops reputable? Do they sell only untreated jade? I can read chinese but i'm not very good at it and i take forever to read a few lines. All their stuff looks very tempting :p
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Yep both stores I linked only sell A jade and pretty much everything comes with a certificate.

They have their own sub forums here and listed in in the approved sellers section on these forums.
 
#116
That site jadeshop.com was one of the ones I first visited when I knew next to nothing about jade. Now I look at it again I don't believe they're selling grade As for those prices. Look at the colour and apparent translucency - there's no way any sane business would sell these bangles (untreated) for under $1000, let alone $100.

Also, their "certificates of authenticity" only state that the jade is "genuine" and don't include any test results. Sure the jade might be "real" but it's been treated.

And just how gross do these multi coloured jade bangles look?

I've only looked at their bangles but still I wouldn't touch this company with a bargepole.
 
#117
Thought I'd share a few more pics on the difference between A & B/B+C jadeite.

Red border = A
Blue border = C
fc019.jpg


B, C jadeite
fc021.jpg


As you can see some grade A jadeite have colour gradation, but the colours should not bleed into each other - think wet paint on absorbent paper.

Another test you could do is to place jadeite under UV light e.g. a counterfeit banknote detector. Grade A jadeite should look the same, whereas B/C will turn fluorescent (depends on colour of dye, I think one on the right was injected with green):
fc020.jpg


Another example:
bcuv.jpg


Note - not all grade B jadeite will change under UV light, but if yours turns completely fluorescent, it's definitely not an A.

Pic of grade A jadeite under UV light:
gradeAuv.jpg


The fluorescent dots are caused by leftover wax, which is sometimes used on grade A jadeite to fill out small surface cracks & lines. This is perfectly safe and the jadeite remains an A.
 
#119
luxemadam said:
Sigh :nogood: What about the 2 shops you mentioned earlier? Do they ship internationally?
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I haven't come across any Taobao shop that offers international shipping, but if you contact the shops in advance and pay for any additional charges, I don't see why they wouldn't ship. However afaik there's no English version of Taobao and as I haven't purchased there myself, I can't make a guide, but if you or one of your friends can read Chinese, it should be possible.
 
#120
this continues to be such an informative thread! I told my mom that I was interested in getting a jade bangle and she made fun of me saying that only old chinese women wear one and that she doesn't even own one. I love the translucent green ones that you have posted though! I used to have a light lavender heart pendant but I'm sure it was not good quality. Maybe when I visit Taiwan in October I will be able to find/haggle one for myself!
 
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