The JADE thread!

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

#19,930
EarthGatherer said:
I think there is a possibility your scale is off. A Carver would notice if they were working something with an SG of 6 vs 3, as it is a measure of density. When I work serpentine vs jadeite, it is really noticable on the hand and that's a difference of less than 1. SG of 6 is really high for a piece to be worn.

When I'm measuring SG of small pendants and gemstones, a calibrated scale which can measure up to 20 grams (and convert to carats) gives most accurate results. But for larger items over 30 grams, like bangles, a kitchen scale does the job as long as you're sure it's accurate.
Click to expand...

My scale was definitely off for those small pieces! I just got in a better one meant for jewelry, and retested. Both pieces match nephrite's SG, but they still have that orange inner glow.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EarthGatherer
#19,931
EarthGatherer said:
OK, this is long and based on my own research as a hobbyist, personal collector, and artist/seller. As such, it's not sourced or reviewed. But here's what I've learned through trial & error over the past few years.

What I've found in testing my jades are that it's area wax (either filling pores or lines) or allover color polish dip which has a middle range noticable glow under LW UV. It is noticable in that it doesn't seem to penetrate deeply or "through-and-through." But, disclosed color polish in area hasn't shown on LW UV.

B or B&C lavender jade I've seen has had a strong bright orange glow. Like- undeniably unnatural strong glow for jade (like a sherbet orange version of that red or pink ruby UV glow if you're familiar with it). B or B&C white jadeite will glow strongly throughout, with an unmistakable brightness. As in- it looks like a glowstick.

I do have confirmed A jadeite pieces with a very faint glow (usually yellow-orange off white) which exists only in spots (like a 2x2 mm blotch or streak) and that is for sure not wax filling because it's not associated with a broken or rough spot. I've never seen a grade A piece that glows entirely and through it's depths. Grade A usually just glows in: wax filled pores, stonelines & cracks, or in deeper parts of carvings; in polish dipped or polish waxed pieces; and rare exceptions of very faint naturally occurring UV reactivity.

I'm saying this all knowing which treatment tech I've seen that is detectable or disclosed. All of the B or B&C I've seen have had grade A certs that were obviously fake with mismatched details such as wrong weight or didn't match online databases. Color polish is always been noted under remarks on legit certs, but I believe color polish "dip" is not considered A grade (not certain on that though).

Lastly, nephrite or Hetian is always considered to be inert as far as my research has shown. I've never seen a glowy piece, of it nor have I seen nephrite with glowing pore or crack filling like jadeite (but I guess it could exist). Nephrite is a more widespread mineral than jadeite, and finding good quality (not cracked, not heavily porous) for jewelry pieces is easier than rough jadeite, and I've always assumed that's why there's not as much of a treatment market for it.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for this. This is the best explanation I've read so far about this.

I now have a total of four pieces from gojade / eBay - two show fluorescence. This is the big pale green / pale lavender donut I just got in today. The glow areas are where the lavender is, and those orange spots are also very small glow spots. I set the donut in a cup of hot water for a couple hours hoping to work off some of the wax, and it didn't work. It was still very waxy when I scrubbed it down. If this glow is from a wax dip, do you think the glow be more even throughout the donut, or it just made the lavender part glow because that's just how the wax interacts with it under UV?

fluorescence.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: AJadecent Angle and EarthGatherer
#19,935
Beadweaver said:
And here it is, the jade is gorgeous.
Brace for lots of pictures.
Click to expand...
I keep going back to the pictures of your ring to take another look! No need to worry about sending lots of pictures. Did you design the ring? Your jeweler is a great crafts-person. I love how the new setting gives a nod to Ming's original designs yet it has clean, modern lines to let the jade take center stage. It is breathtaking. I might get distracted while driving if I were wearing something like it. LOL.

Dillemuth said:
Of course a little different since I’m a guy but just got what I think is my last bangle from Mason Kay.
View attachment 4557422
Click to expand...
Dillemuth, your bangle is a real beauty. Like a tall, cool glass of lemonade. Great find and it fits you so well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dillemuth
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top