The JADE thread!

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#23,176
The posts about white nephrite made me haul out my few pieces (the ball pendants) and my white jadeite (bangles, necklaces, ruyi, earrings).

Lighting is everything when it comes to color and translucency! Here's some natural light shots near a window with indirect light, and in direct late afternoon light through the window. The white background is just white printer paper.

For the nephrite balls, one definitely has a drier, sugar texture to it. The other doesn't look so green to the eye. It is way more pale and very glowy looking. I'd love to have a whole bangle from a similar stone, but the seller is no longer on etsy as far as I know, unless they rebranded.

MgEcFXu.jpg


apzx1FT.jpg
 
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#23,178
Junkenpo said:
The posts about white nephrite made me haul out my few pieces (the ball pendants) and my white jadeite (bangles, necklaces, ruyi, earrings).

Lighting is everything when it comes to color and translucency! Here's some natural light shots near a window with indirect light, and in direct late afternoon light through the window. The white background is just white printer paper.

For the nephrite balls, one definitely has a drier, sugar texture to it. The other doesn't look so green to the eye. It is way more pale and very glowy looking. I'd love to have a whole bangle from a similar stone, but the seller is no longer on etsy as far as I know, unless they rebranded.



apzx1FT.jpg
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These are very pretty. I like these white based pieces. Those balls at the 2 o’ clock position are nephrite? I ask because I have this bangle that I thought was some some of jade. Perhaps it is nephrite also because it resembles your balls. See attached photo. While I wouldn’t quite describe it as sugary feeling, it definitely is not the watery polished feeling either. It’s just a very old piece given to me by my late MIL. Any ideas? By the way, I’m not really so clear on the difference between nephrite and jadeite either..and then when you guys start talking about geographic sources..I’m totally lost. So if anyone can shed any light, I am grateful.F43A549E-AF45-4A6C-859A-24B2E815CA7F.jpeg
 
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#23,179
essiedub said:
These are very pretty. I like these white based pieces. Those balls at the 2 o’ clock position are nephrite? I ask because I have this bangle that I thought was some some of jade. Perhaps it is nephrite also because it resembles your balls. See attached photo. While I wouldn’t quite describe it as sugary feeling, it definitely is not the watery polished feeling either. It’s just a very old piece given to me by my late MIL. Any ideas? By the way, I’m not really so clear on the difference between nephrite and jadeite either..and then when you guys start talking about geographic sources..I’m totally lost. So if anyone can shed any light, I am grateful.View attachment 5386562
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I believe the 2 balls are indeed nephrite since it has a warmer creamy tone (at least that's how I view it) compared to the other jadeite pieces. As for the geographic sources, sorry about that LOL! I just find it fascinating to know the specifics of jade and how far people will go to acquire a piece of rough.
As for the bangle, it screams jadeite to me with the sort of greens it has and the notable dark green splotch at it's bottom, although the surface seems quite suspect to me since it seems to have alot of pitting on it but I'll chalk it up to it being very loved.
 
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#23,180
essiedub said:
These are very pretty. I like these white based pieces. Those balls at the 2 o’ clock position are nephrite? I ask because I have this bangle that I thought was some some of jade. Perhaps it is nephrite also because it resembles your balls. See attached photo. While I wouldn’t quite describe it as sugary feeling, it definitely is not the watery polished feeling either. It’s just a very old piece given to me by my late MIL. Any ideas? By the way, I’m not really so clear on the difference between nephrite and jadeite either..and then when you guys start talking about geographic sources..I’m totally lost. So if anyone can shed any light, I am grateful.
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Yup, the balls in my photo are nephrite. The seller was 9SJW on etsy, but they no longer sell there. If you scroll thru the "reputable jade seller" thread, I posted about them way back in 2016 (post #96).

Your bangle looks more like jadeite to me, though it is always hard to be sure just from photos. I love the color on it. Jadeite that is older or well worn gets sort of an "orange peel" texture because of the different minerals that make it up and wear out at different rates. You might enquire with Allan at Jadedivers if it might benefit from a repolish and what he might charge to polish it up again.

Jadeite and nephrite differ in how the minerals in them line up. Nephrite tends to be softer/lighter/waxier, jadeite tends to be denser, glassier, more brittle. Here's a GIA article that talks about nephrite and includes photos.
 
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#23,182
Icyjade said:
Oh interesting! I actually find princess styles much more comfortable than D bangles
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I’ve seen that from a lot of people and was hoping it would be true for me, too. Especially because it’s the “traditional” shape that women have been wearing 24/7 for centuries. My working theory is that my wrist is too round so it pushes into the bangle, and a D shape hugs that line whereas a princess pushes right back (even if sized up). My D shape bangles from Allan are far more comfortable even than my other D shapes because they’re just slightly more contoured.
 
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#23,183
AJadecent Angle said:
Oh right I should note that if a white nephrite ever has any undertones that isn't just white and has any mineral flecks inside it, then price decreases drastically and isn't considered mutton fat anymore.
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What about yellow undertones? I initially thought mutton fat had to be pure white and “melting glutinous” looking, but tallow/suet often has a yellow tinge. Though I can’t say I’ve seen freshly butchered mutton fat so maybe it’s whiter than the commercial beef/pork fat that’s more generally available lol.

My favorite piece of “mutton fat” on the non-auction market was certified as “pale green/near colorless,” so unfortunately I can’t get comfortable with the asking price as a jade newbie.

EEDF9AA8-C75D-4D02-84D3-9D49E4B61DAA.jpegPhoto and pendant from The Blue Paisley Fox
 
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#23,184
escamillo said:
What about yellow undertones? I initially thought mutton fat had to be pure white and “melting glutinous” looking, but tallow/suet often has a yellow tinge. Though I can’t say I’ve seen freshly butchered mutton fat so maybe it’s whiter than the commercial beef/pork fat that’s more generally available lol.

My favorite piece of “mutton fat” on the non-auction market was certified as “pale green/near colorless,” so unfortunately I can’t get comfortable with the asking price as a jade newbie.

View attachment 5387038Photo and pendant from The Blue Paisley Fox
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It can have yellow undertones, albeit it has to be very slight, sort of like complimenting the pure white. Additionally yeah certification for mutton-fat jade is very strict probably rightfully so since it's significant in ancient Chinese history. :lol:
 
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#23,185
gemjadelover said:
Hi!! I'm new to this thread. Started my jade collections few years back and recently I'm so in love with Blue jadeite. Is this Burma Jadeite? I'm eyeing the very fine and watery blue jadeite bangle. Was looking at these 2 bangles from Little Jadeite House but I wish they have lesser white flakes. Well though I know these are natural but just hoping to find one that is more translucent
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LJH sells Burmese jadeite but do ask just to be sure. Do also WhatsApp them and ask for the best price - they can give a discount. I will DM you the number
 
#23,187
escamillo said:
I’ve seen that from a lot of people and was hoping it would be true for me, too. Especially because it’s the “traditional” shape that women have been wearing 24/7 for centuries. My working theory is that my wrist is too round so it pushes into the bangle, and a D shape hugs that line whereas a princess pushes right back (even if sized up). My D shape bangles from Allan are far more comfortable even than my other D shapes because they’re just slightly more contoured.
Click to expand...

Ok, this makes sense. I think my right wrist is very round so I also find that when I can get my princess rounds on, they are not as comfortable as the D shapes.
 
#23,189
escamillo said:
That’s what made me realize it’s the roundness - my right wrist is extra round vs. my left and much more sensitive fit-wise.
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Mm interesting theory.

My wrist is quite ovalish. When I wear Ds sometimes the sharp edges at the sides rub against my wrist or just simply the larger surface of the bangle going against my skin bothers me. Whereas for Princess rounds there is always less bangle to skin contact and nothing sharp that rubs against my wrist.
 
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#23,190
Hi everyone.

I hope you’re all well.

I am hoping for some help as I am starting my jade bangle journey and I was interested in buying an oval bangle online.

I’ve tried on a couple that belongs to a friend and she has a round bangle that is 50.5mm and an oval bangle that is 53.2x47.7mm. I was able to slide both the round and the oval bangles on relatively easily (no lotion or soap or plastic bag needed).

My friend takes hers on and on depending on her activities but I was hoping to get one that I will never be able to take off so I am hoping for a much snugger/tighter fit as my wrists are very small. Because I am hoping to get something online, I am not sure what to do for sizes especially since I have not tried on anything smaller than the two my friend owns.

From your own experience, how small can your hand go?

Thank you in advance!
 
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