Yeah so it’s basically all boil down to honesty .
When I was in Hong Kong . Which really is like a jade haven with all type of jade shops around around.
I realized that there are many type of seller around . Some would try to sell you jade bangles for $10 for price of 3 .
Obviously , those who has some basic knowledge in Jade would be able to tell u that it’s dyed , or treated jade . Which color injected Grade B , C or even D .
Thing is , do they tell you well in advance , if you were asking . Is this treated or grade B ?
They will tell u straight . Yes grade B .
So you know well what you are getting . So if u decide to get it anyway you made an informed choice ..
You pay for what you get . You want and can accept a treated item ? Good fo you , there’s no dishonesty involved .
What’s more dangerous ?
What’s quite bad ?
Some sellers , who does sell Grade A who will try to sell their jadeite at sky high prices . Yes . They might be upfront about the flaws , defects on the bangle . But they also persistently insist , that even high prices bangles is bound to have flaws or cracks .
While what’s expensive is subjective price range for person to person.
It isn’t true that at higher prices , you aren’t able to get good quality bangles which isn’t flaw free.
And if the seller is ethical , any bangle with a flaw ( not necessarily one that compromised the structural durability of the bangle ) , but to a great extent could have affected its aesthetic appeal
But still wants to sell at 2/3/4 K usd $$
Eg . Well shrugs I dunno what to say *. A couple of stone lines that cannot be felt by hand etc or have a few lines that stretch across the bangle. Etc.
Well , Even though you are informed about the flaws as well regarding this . Let’s just say that’s not completely honest other than the seller trying to make quick buck getting the tourist dollar .
And the tourist is vulnerable to this because , they do not know if they have other choices other than the one they just met . They might be confined to limited choices , as they do not know who to approach , who to buy from , who might stocked something for the same amount of $$ , where there are honest sellers ethical enough to sell the items if a couple of defects might lower the price quite reasonably . Or , that for the high tourist dollar they were happy to part with , is at least a bangle that’s free from visible stonelines or obvious defects like low depth stonelines .
When faced with limited choice , one might not be able to discern a Money grubbing seller who is persistent on selling you something $$$$ , but leaves a bad taste in your mouth when u realized , if you were given more choice . You see they are sellers who might still sell a piece of jade for relatively high price . But it commands what it is exactly for .
A perfect selection of a spot of defect free boulder , crafted with expert craftsmen of which the final product is a bangle or pendant , that is equitable on the merits of hard work to produce monetarily . And yet does not shortchange the buyers who is paying a higher amount for a product of nature that can be moulded to perfection , because of good quality control , due to ethical selling .
And of course , many buyers . Faced with limited information are not able to discern this . They might feel that just because a seller is upfront with flaws . That’s complete honesty .
Well . Shrugs . I would say my Hong Kong experience is a good one . My folks are still there , and because I speak the lingo fluently with roots from HK . Sellers don’t normally try to be funny with me .
I realized like for like . Hong Kong jadeite isn’t exactly very cheap for the high quality of jadeite . It’s just probably , the prices are slightly lower than Singapore due to less overheads from the private sellers I buy from . But I m also happy to buy from them due to good experience I have . With grade A jade that’s not necessary cheap . But generally I like the variety and good very QC of private sellers I buy from . As far as I m concerned . I have to like what I m wearing . And not wonder why I pay a few grand for something with obvious flaws still showing .
Local wise in Singapore , I guess those few pages tells us that LH is one can replicate a good buying experience . Without the regrets realizing you buy something at a price that might might be able to get else where for less .
