Hi greeno107, 

I have been dealing in jade since the early 80's. Your absolutely right it's becoming a nightmare of sorts with fakers. But if you have the eye like I think you do my friend you can see the differences etc. 

The only quick test for jadeite is a UV light. If it lights up like a Xmas tree then it's definitely treated. Although that being said. It's not conclusive as they have in recent times been using a new treatment that does not show up in the UV light etc. 

Yes I would like very much to view the piece you have. 

Regards, 

Mark 

So, here's the ring/pendant. Two green peaches with a white lotus. Nice little leaf carved on the top peach. I think the ring is 10k gold...pretty typical for turn of the century.

I also have this bracelet. Now, if this bracelet is genuine/natural, then were talking some serious $$$.  The metal is unmarked, so not a good sign, but the stones apear to be jade...not glass.  Is it worth getting a GIA test?

Here's a set of 4 plaques I bought in 2011 when I was first started selling on Ebay. It sold for $24,000, somit was a big hit for me, but in hindsight, I think it way undersold even for that time. The plaque had fantastic white and mutton fat jade, but the real treasure I've been told was the green jadeite stone, about 3-4 carats.

I have been told, based on the this photo of the stone which I removed and cleaned that this stone was likely worth $20-30,000 per carat. Any chance that was true?

Hi greeno107, 

Thank you posting your images. 

The four jade plaques are very interesting and may have been a very good buy for the buyer. It's very difficult to determine by the pictures but I really liked them. They look stupendous and old. 

The jade ring I think is possibly dyed and not as old as you were advised. It looks like silver.

The bracelet is translucent jadeite of light apple green jadeite. It's definitely not glass from my observation. I don't think it's been treated as such. The quality if genuine is OK but not great. I would definitely have it analysed by a gemologist. I think GIA can do some sort of quick observation for a low amount. Otherwise it's very expensive from what I have seen before with certificates with regard to diamonds. There are I believe other gemologists who can perform the same test for small money. 

Now the ring. I am unable to determine by the pictures. It's very unusual for jadeite to be carved like that. High quality jadeite are normally carved in a cabochon shape. Once again this particular item would need to be viewed by a gemologist. It looks to be high quality colour and translucent but the  shape worries me. It may be another stone based on the cut. It's too difficult to determine by way of the images. 

Your absolutely correct high end jadeite is extremely expensive at the moment. I have viewed some cabochon stones selling for the price you quoted. But that would be for very fine, highly translucent stones, even distributed colour with no flaws etc. Exceptionally rare and very expensive. The bigger the better when it comes to high end jade. If yours is jadeite jade of imperial quality then it's a good size and weight. 

Hope this helps you. 

Regards, 

Mark 

The necklace has really pretty stones, but that clasp is not one that would be used for a gold necklace, especially without a safety chain.  For that reason, I am suspicious.  But as you say, the stones are really pretty.

I can't comment on the green stone--the photos are a little soft.   Are you sure it is not an emerald?

Charles

Hi greeno107, 

I think if the ring is not jadeite jade (as I suspect by the cut). It may be tsavorite garnet. These are also very expensive. It's difficult because for one it only shown from the back. 

@Charles Bryan, 

The clasp like the one posted is also often seen on bracelets. I have seen many like these made in both Hong Kong and Vietnam. Both genuine and fake use this type of clasp. 

It's unusual that it's not marked as such. The images posted are inconclusive either way in my opinion. 

Perhaps greeno107 if you use a UV light it might help. Also if you own a Chelsea filter. 

If the stone in the ring flourences a pink or light yellow using a UV light then it's definitely in the TG family. 

Mark 

So funny! And this is why I don't generally buy jade... I really don't understand the nuances of jewelry making, so unless it's a carved piece, like what you find on Ming or Qing vessels, figures, pendants, or plaques, I usually pass.

My photos were taken in LED light last night, so perhaps better pics in natual light would be helpful.

The ring's stone was a pendant originally, which is why its carved. I just kept it as a ring because the ring is old and clearly custom made to hold the pendant. $100 seemed reasonable at the time.

The bracelet was $10. I've been considering removing the stones and put them into a 18k gold bracelet or necklace setting, maybe with some diamonds. Even if the stones are treated, I think they have nice color and clarity.

My 4 panels had some spectacular jade and ivory carvings. Here's a close up of one inset jade piece.

@greeno107, 

Jewelry pieces can be very tricky unless your in the trade. 

The reason I believe the jade caved piece that is in the ring is treated is because from one side the degree of color is stronger than the other side. This is a trick of the trade when viewing jadeite jade. Not many people know this. A sure sign it's been treated. Unless of course you changeed the lighting etc. 

With the imperial coloured stone. I would definitely have a gemologist view it. As I wrote before the cut is or would be very unusual for this stone. Almost always high grade jadeite jade is cut into cabochons and not into a semi-facet cut like yours. Actually in nearly 40 years I have never seen one that is jadeite and carved like that. 

I am not sure who the person was who told you 20k or more per carat was etc and what their knowledge is etc. The first thing they should have noticed was the cut. 

The panels that you have now showed with that jade and ivory piece is absolutely stunning. The jade carving is high quality and probably early 19th century. The whole plaques would have been stunning to see in person. I am not surprised at all at the price it achieved. I have seen similar sell  for considerable more. 

Your absolutely correct with the thought of buying statues or plaques etc made from jade rather than jewelry. Jade jewelry is very difficult to ascertain by way of a few pictures. One can only surmise given the material at hand. It's like showing a mossanite (diamond simulation) set in 18ct and asking is this a genuine diamond. Or a 18ct bracket that's stamped and asking is this real gold. It's very difficult if not impossible. 

Treated jadeite jade jewelry is practically worthless. In reality it's less than 5%. I would not entertain the prospect of remodeling said cabochons into gold if they are treated. Only if they are natural. 

Just my thoughts. 

Mark 

@greeno107 I like the old setting with bench work on the ring/pendant and they did start using white gold in the teens and twenties, did you test it for gold? I've had fun in lockdown with a gold and silver scratch test kit. Your simple table cut faceted stone is very interesting, if it were an emerald it would most likely have a 'garden' of inclusions, if a tsavorite or demantoid garnet it could be cleaner. If old and jade of such a lovely color, as Mark suggested, it should be tested. GIA report may be not necessary unless you want to sell it, if you have a local lapidarist they might be able to tell you what it is. Thanks for showing. Sharon

@imperialfinegems  I came upon some jade (maybe) items the other day at a local antique shop. The dealer said he had bought a big collection from a scholar who had spent time in China, etc. At any rate I snapped some photos of a few for the heck of it. Maybe you will be able to ascertain something about them despite the pictures not being of a quality you would prefer. Here's the first one, a Buddha. 

Here is a seal.

Here is a disc pendant type object

Here is another item. Not sure what it is

Here's a little landscape boulder

 And this next one I think was the one I found most interesting of the lot. Some type of hoofed dragon like beast with some pretty cool detail I thought. 

Let me know what you think. I am skeptical of anything allegedly jade that I come across, but I'm curious if you think any of these might have potential, and either way I'm sure we will all learn something from your thoughtful assessment.  Thanks!  John

@sharonp Thats a thought...no, I havent ever tested it - I just took the word of th seller since I was only really interested in the stone. I dont have a test kit and I only thought about the ring and bracelet when discussing jade with Mark. I buy jewelry when its cheap, under $100, and mostly to give to my wife (who generally looses/misplaces it within a week) or just to put in a case at an antique show to attract a broader audience to my booth (which has been over a year since my last show).

So, as a non-jewelry person, I mostly I sell jewelry at the same or similar price as I buy it, unless it comes with an appraisal....that doesnt happen often.

I'm glad you like the ring setting...your point is exactly why I have not remounted the pendant as pendant. The setting definately dates the pendant to 1920 or earlier, or there about.

The facited stone was sold along with the 4 panels.Prior to the sale, I brought the stone to a well respected jeweler in the Palm Beach area. They were very excited at first, thinking thevstone was a very fine emerald, but after some viewing under some sort of electronic microscope (it had all sorts of gadgetry, so not a microscope), the jeweler returned with a rather dissapointed face and told me it was just jade. Just jade? He obviously was not a jade enthusiast. This is the only professional jewlerbhqt actaully handled the stone before I sold it.

I kept these photos as keepsakes and for reference.  

Regarding the valuation of the price per carat, that came from somepne I use to know who among other types of art, collecting imperial jade. Again, he made the assessmemt based upon the color and clarity shown in the photo, not the actual stone, and expressed similar concerns it might not be jade.

I guess I should have the stones in the bracelet to be tested.  It's now on my to do list 2021 🤑

@imperialfinegems I borrowed my son's blacklight. Here's a photo under blacklight of the ring and bracelet next to a playdough can with orange fluorescent top, by themselves under blacklight, and in natural sunlight. What do you think?

Hi Johnshoe, 

The first one being the smiling buddha is soapstone. 

The next one being a seal is also soapstone or possibly dyed agate. 

The next one that looks like a fantasy animal is inconclusive. Interesting though for the purpose of identifying age quickly this one is ideal. See the chips on the edges of the carving line as well as the stuttered lines? The indicates a modern drill that chips the side.

The next one is the disc. This one has potential for being jade. But not mutton fat jade that is highly collectable. It's Russian jade. 

The next one is the the half hopped item. Not jade. Probably soapstone or agate. 

The next is the mountain or boulder. It's got potential for being jade. But once again probably Russian jade. 

The last is the mythical horse/other. It also has potential for being jade.

Of course the above is only a guide as the pictures are well. You guessed.

I dont see anything here of exceptional value. They all appear to be fairly modern carvings. The disc may warrant further investigation. I kinda like the mythical horse. But that to would require further investigation. The Boulder is OK. But you would have to get all three for well under $100. 

I suspect that the seller is asking a lot for these. Judging by the price tag on the first seal of $795. Which is a lot of money for a modern soapstone carving. 

Thank you for sharing John. 

@Greeno107, 

That explains a lot my friend. The jeweller obviously knew nothing about jade. Unfortunately he is not alone. 

Despite popular opinion most jewellers or retailers are not trained or certified gemologists unles they state otherwise. Although it would have been odd having that scope on board if you were not a gemologist. If they were or are gemologists they would clearly display their credentials on either their card or shop front. It's the norm thing they do. We are a very proud bunch! 

It would have been interesting to find out what it was. Simply because it could have had potential. Not as jadeite in my opinion but another equally valuable stone. And given the fact that the estate had high value items. 

Mark 

@imperialfinegems what do you make of the blacklight photos? Anything revealed?

Hi greeno107, 

Thank you posting the pictures etc. 

The bracelet has potential for being natural untreated jadeite jade. The other one is I believe to be nephrite jade that does not flouro under a UV light. Although that being said if it was treated or dyed it would have lit up. 

I think you took the pictures of the ring under different lighting. 

Of course you would need to be able to confirm with a gemologist (not a jeweler) or as Sharon suggested. If it was treated by either a polymer or dye it would have in most circumstances lit up like a Xmas tree. Almost goes without saying for treated jadeite prior to about 2015. Its only been in the last few years they have invented a new technology that beats the UV test.

So you have potential for untreated jadeite as well as untreated nephrite jade. 

Hope this helps you

Mark