Why Is Jade So Valuable?
Simple: because it is a gemstone! And like many gemstones, Jade has a range of quality based on rarity. However, what makes Jade truly stand out from other gemstones is its deep historical significance as well as its ability to serve as a medium for detailed carvings.
The Actual Price of Jade
There are two common contradicting misconceptions about the price of Jade:
- Real, natural, Type A jade is unaffordable.
- There is an abundance of jade, so it should be cheap.
It is important to note that jade comes in a wide range of prices, dependent on its rarity. Translucency, texture, and color are the main factors contributing to jade's value. Imperial Jade, for example, is some of the rarest forms of Jadeite Jade to come by thus giving it its extremely high value. On the flip side, it is much more common to find less translucent jade pieces that might not have as much color, making them far more affordable.
The bottom line: natural, Type A jade does not have to be expensive. You can certainly find pieces for under $100, you can also find pieces that are valued in the millions and everything in between. When buying from a trusted source, you truly get what you pay for.
Here at Baikalla Jewelry, we focus on medium to high quality fine jade jewelry, including high end collectible pieces. We guarantee that all of our jade are natural, untreated, Type-A jade. So you always have that peace of mind shopping for your jade with us.
What Contributes to the Value of Jade?
Its history. Jade has a really rich history dating back to Neolithic China and Mesoamerica. Throughout various cultures and time periods, jade was used to make weapons and tools then passed down from one generation to the next, often becoming objects of reverence associated with royalties.
In Mesoamerica and Central America, artists would rework jade objects from older cultures, and passed them down as heirlooms. The Māori people of New Zealand believed that their jade pieces, also known as pounamu, would absorb the mana of those who wore them and that their spiritual power grew as it is passed down.
Its durability. It is because of the durability of jade that those tools, weapons, and precious heirlooms were able to be passed down through the generations. Multiple cultures across the world recognized this and so it became a treasured stone.
The durability of jade is also what makes it an ideal medium for intricate craftsmanship, adding yet another layer of artistic value to the stone.
Craftsmanship
Jade is one of the most challenging gemstones to work with. Unlike crystals that split along clean lines, jade’s fibrous, interlocking structure resists breaking. This toughness makes it extremely durable, but also notoriously hard to shape.
Ancient artisans relied on bamboo drills, sand, and abrasives to slowly grind jade into tools, ornaments, and ritual objects. The process could take weeks or months for a single piece. Even with modern technology, jade still requires specialized diamond-tipped tools, steady hands, and an expert eye. A single slip can ruin the entire piece, since jade cannot be easily repaired once fractured.
This level of difficulty means that every intricate carving carries the weight of countless hours of skilled labor. From smooth bangles to lifelike sculptures, craftsmanship is one of the biggest factors in jade’s value.
Rarity in High Grades
Not all jade is created equal. The two main types are nephrite and jadeite. Nephrite, found in regions such as China, Russia, and New Zealand, is more common and has been admired for its smooth luster and toughness throughout history. Jadeite, however, is rarer and often more valuable, especially in its most coveted form: Imperial Jade.
Imperial Jade is a vivid, emerald-green jadeite with exceptional translucency. Its beauty lies not only in its color but in how light seems to glow from within the stone. But pieces like this are exceptionally scarce. The majority of jadeite comes from Myanmar, where tons of rough jade are mined each year, yet only a tiny percentage has the quality, texture, and color to be considered gem-grade. Out of that, an even smaller fraction qualifies as Imperial Jade.
Because so little jade reaches this level, much of the remaining material is altered through chemical treatments. These pieces, often referred to as Treated Jade, are enhanced to mimic the look of rare types like Imperial Jade and are often misleadingly sold as if they were completely natural, Type A (gem-quality) jade.
This rarity at the source explains why high-grade jade can reach astronomical prices, while lower-grade pieces remain relatively affordable. It’s not just the stone itself, but the extreme odds of finding material that meets the highest standards.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, jade’s value comes from more than just being a gemstone. Its deep cultural history, exceptional durability, rarity in high grades, and the extraordinary craftsmanship required to shape it all combine to make jade one of the most treasured stones in the world. Whether it’s a modest piece or a rare Imperial Jade, jade carries a legacy that has lasted for thousands of years. The history and meaning are why, here at Baikalla, we are committed to providing fine-quality jade pieces meant to be passed down through generations, continuing the rich legacy of this remarkable stone.
