How To Tell If Your Jade Is Real Or Fake

How To Tell If Your Jade Is Real Or Fake

Posted by Baikalla Jewelry on

How To Tell If Your Jade Is Real Or Fake

There are a lot of fake or treated jade pieces on the market. How do you tell if your jade is fake or real? Here are some basic tests that you can perform to determine whether your stone is the real deal. 

Before we get to the tests, it is important to know what does fake jade mean. Jade is a metamorphic rock that can be found in a variety of colors, including green, white, and lavender. It is typically used for carving because it is very tough and has a beautiful luster. However, not all jade on the market is real. Fake jade is often made from other materials such as glass or plastic and then dyed to imitate the real thing. Even natural stones such as serpentine or quartzite can be treated to look like jade. Jade that is treated is only a fraction of the value of its natural counterpart. The treatments that these jadeite jade pieces go through are full of harmful chemicals. The pieces are soaked in acids and then heated for days.

 Natural dragon carving
Baikalla™ "Soring Dragon" Natural Jadeite Jade Blue Green Pendant Necklace For Men, Collectibles. 

 

The Color Test

Take a close look at the color of the stone. If the price is low and the color is uniform throughout, it is likely that the stone has been dyed. Real jade should have a natural looking color with some variation in shade and natural inclusions. The brighter the color, the more valuable the jade piece will be. Color is one of the most important factors in determining the value of jade. The most valuable colors are green, white, and lavender. 

Colors of fake vs real jade

 The Touch Test

Real jade should be cold and dense to the touch. If the stone feels light, it is likely that it is fake or some other type of stone. Take the stone in your hand and see how it feels. Real jade should be cold to the touch and have a dense, solid feel. Fake jade is often made from materials such as glass or plastic which are not as dense as real jade. If the stone feels light or hollow, it is likely that it is fake.

The Hardness Test

Take a needle or a sharp metal object and try to scratch the surface of the stone. If the stone is soft and easily scratched, then it is most likely not jade. Real jade should be very hard and difficult to scratch. Jade has a hardness of 6-7 on the MOHS hardness scale, which makes it a great stone for daily wear because how durable it is.

 

The Ping Test

Here Jackson demonstrates how to test bangles using the ping test. It's a test that has been done for a long time. The treatment process of jade changes the internal structure of the jade and hat changes how it sounds. It's not the most accurate test but definitely can tell you a lot about the structure of your piece.

 

These tests are a great way to tell if you are in possession of real or fake jade at home. The most sound way to know the grade of your jade is by consulting an expert. They will be able to tell you the quality and value of your piece. 

 Natural Imperial Jadeite Jade High End Collectable Piece

"Lucky Green Pea" High End Imperial Jadeite Baikalla Jewelry Signature Pendant

 

Here at Baikalla Jewelry, we carry only natural, untreated jade jewelry. We believe that only natural jade brings the best of what jade has to offer. Value wise and energy wise, natural jade is the best way to go! If you have any questions about jade or are interested in purchasing some of our beautiful jade jewelry, please contact us! We would be more than happy to help you!

 

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Comments

  • I’m looking for a small jade rabbit to replace one I got in Chinatown SanFrancisco 30 years ago. I was told it was rare and no longer found. Pls help

    Della Hansen on
  • I have a jade bracelet that my husband bought at the Fisherman’s Wharf in Calif. in 1967 .It has 13 individual stones in it. The bracelet is quite heavy and does feel cold to the touch. It is darkish green with tiny pale green marbeling throughout each stone. Even if this is “fake”, it is well made. I do not want to sell it because my husband is gone now. Each stone’s size is about equal to a carat of a diamond.

    Melissa Thoreau on
  • I have a heavy jade jewelry box lined in red velvet. Cold to touch, many shades, claw foot in brass, very heavy can send a picture but need to get a price on it
    Could you please email. It’s literally one of a kind!

    Kerry Cahill on

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