Well since nobody wants to have a guess. Here is the answer.

It's not jade. It's bowenite. Very similar hardness to jade. It can be identified simply by the highly translucent areas along with the white patches and deep vein colors in the Upper areas of foliage. 

Often sold as jade. 

Mark 

@imperialfinegems

Hello Mark:

Yes, I saw this item up for auction on eBay in about 8 days from now and also wondered what it was made of. You will note though that the seller does leave an opening by stating that it could be made of "jade-like hardstone" whatever that is supposed to mean. I think it is awfully dangerous to buy items on eBay that are alleged to be jade. In your earlier post you provided some detail of the extent to which an experienced gemologist would have to conduct tests to determine whether an item is real jade. I'm sure too that the ludicrous jade ship is not composed of jade. My guess is that an item of that size composed of real jade would be worth millions even allowing for the fact that it is worth zero as an alleged piece of art. 

I have a couple of attractive items that I bought on eBay that were alleged to be green jade. I contacted the sellers ahead of the auctions. As in the case of your inquiry to the seller of the jade ship, I was told that no tests were conducted but that the sellers "knew" they were jade by just looking at them. I bid on and won both items. I got them for about $300 each. I will not bother to test them. Aesthetically, they are quite attractive for the countertop of my bathroom vanity or sink area. I know better though than to think one can get a jade vase 10 inches in height for $300.

It is really very sad that the entire area of selling Chinese art has become a gigantic scam. The old Roman admonition of caveat emptor applies now more than ever.

Errol

@imperialfinegems

Hello Mark: 

I know that many alleged green jade items are actually serpentine or bowenite, as you point out. However, as regards white, pale celadon and mutton fat jade are there similarly colored materials that can be used that might pose as genuine jade? I think I once showed you a couple of presumed jade items that I have and that you considered from the photographs to be genuine jade, hand carved and likely 20th century. I know that to fully verify jade you have to examine it carefully and have it in hand. However, are items advertised and sold as white, pale celadon or mutton fat jade less like to be other less costly materials than is the case with the various green shades of jade? I'm attaching a couple of photographs of the items I am referring to.

Regards,

Errol

Hi Errol, 

With the figure currently on eBay the seller knows that it's not jade. That's why they mention jade like hardstone. 

The thing with bowenite is what I described above. Highly clear translucent with white patches. Something you will not see with jade. 

As to whether the monster is jade or not. I can't confirm by their pictures etc. The seller is if I recall correctly a gemologist who deals with diamonds etc.

You can buy genuine jade for little money on eBay/other if you're lucky. I have been very fortunate to buy a number of pieces etc. However it is getting more difficult.

You can post your purchases here if you wish and I can give you my opinion. 

Mark 

Hi Errol, 

We posted at the same time. 

I recall viewing the first item and comments made therein. Nicely carved and genuine jade in my submission. 

The second posted item looks like jade. However when you view it with the light it shows in some places what looks like white blotches that are indicative of bowenite or possibly treated serpentine. It may be bad lighting as the first picture does not resemble bowenite. It could be treated serpentine. I would need clearer pics. 

The third item is a bit tricky. It may be jade but I doubt it. It is not the white mutton fat that is so sought after. Russian white jade has that particular blanch whiteness to it. Not mutton fat jade. 

As the name mutton suggests it's not that pure white. It resembles mutton fat. If you take some mutton fat and freeze it. Then take it out of the freezer and slice it frozen. That's what mutton jade looks like. Not that blanch white that is cheap to buy in Russia. The Chinese carvers are buying Russian white jade and selling it for whatever name they choose at the time.

This box would need to be examined in person. But I think it's highly probable that it is not genuine jade. If it turns out to be jade then it is Russian jade. 

If you happen to have a UV light. Take the item and light into a darkened area. Light the UV over the  jade piece. If it glows brightly then it's treated stone. If it does not glow at all then it's untreated. Perhap Russian white jade or another stone that resembles jade. There are many including glass.

In answering your other question. Genuine white or celedon jade is technically more expensive than standard green nephrite. If you are referring to modern piece and not old ones. 

That's not to suggest that all green nephrite is cheaper. Russian nephrite is highly sought after. No, not the white one. But the bright green one that has black spots. Was favored by faberge way back before the Russian revolution in 1917. Sought of resembles a imperial look about it. I will try and find some examples for you later. Very sought after then as is today. And expensive if genuine. 

Remember please if you ever see jade being offered you can always ask me to help you with an opinion or two. I am always available to assist were ever I can. 

If I saw these three online. I would not buy the second or third one. But may go for the first one. 

I hope this short post has helped you out. 

Regards, 

Mark 

Hi Errol, 

The four plaques were sold by Christies a few year's back. 19/20th century four seasons. Apparently allegedly owned by some aristocratic person but was never confirmed. They were sold for over I million dollars. These were Russian jade with high translucency and black spots. Resembles imperial jade to some degree. 

The next one is a white jade censer from the Republic period. It sold very well also. I think from memory close to about 90k. See the milky white as opposed to blanch Russian jade. 

The last one is a celedon light green jade example. 

Hope you can understand my posts. At the moment I am at a party and the drinks are flowing. So sorry if it seems jumbled or repetitive.

Its sometimes difficult to fully explain or express in a couple of short posts. 

Mark 

@imperialfinegems

Hello Mark:

Many thanks for your helpful comments! I'll respond in more detail later. However, I'd appreciate your thoughts on a couple of similar items that I saw on eBay. The first is described as an ANTIQUE CHINESE CARVED JADE SCHOLAR BOYS RETICULATED PENDANT PLAQUE with STAND (see photographs below). The pendant measures 2 1/4 inches wide by 1/8th of an inch thick and weighs 18 grams. The pendant including display stand measures 3-3/4 inches tall. 

The second item is described as an ANTIQUE CHINESE CARVED LIGHT CELADON JADE BUTTERFLY PENDANT PLAQUE QING DYNASTY. The pendant measures 2-1/8 inches long by 1-1/8 inches wide and 1/8th of an inch thick weighing 7.9 grams. The pendant including display stand measures 2 1/4 inches tall. It is similar to the one I own (see above post) but seems less finely carved. It has the disc for the shou character, but is not carved as such. It is almost as if someone forgot to do that.

Do you think these are jade items?

Many thanks and best wishes for the holidays!

Regards,

Errol

Hi Errol, 

The first one is probably jade. 

The second one I think is not jade. The are white blotches and translucent areas at the arrows indicated. However the pictures of both have been overexposed/other making identification very difficult

Are these something you have bought or thinking about?

Mark

More huge and rare Chinese artefacts showcased in this video. Home of a billionaire.

@imperialfinegems

Hi Mark:

Thank you! I do not own these two items, but saw them online. For some reason, I like these types of items. Their wooden stands are less intricate and delicate than the stands for the two similar pieces that I do own and that I showed in my earlier post. The circular disc is less intricately carved that the oval white jade pendant that I showed earlier and that I do own. I think the butterfly one is rather pretty.

I would consider one of these if the price does not go too high. However, as with all my purchases, I think about many items and have rejected more than 95 percent before an auction starts. I am not an impulse buyer. Your input is very helpful.

I'm planning to post three other pieces for you to look at and just for general interest. I think I will start a new thread as this current thread that I started as a joke is perhaps not an appropriate place for any serious discussion.

Regards,

Errol

@timong

Hello:

To the extent I could see anything in detail almost everything looked new and over the top. My love of Chinese art is based on its simplicity and elegance. My impression of this house is one of vulgarity and nouveau riche. It's the sort of stuff one sees in strip mall Chinese restaurants in small American cities.

Where is this so-called museum located?

Errol

@erroll it is someone home. 

@Tim Ong,

Hi Tim, 

I do especially like the ivory carvings. It's a beautiful house/museum. Have never seen tea bricks displayed like that before. 

Thank you for posting how the other half live. 

Quick Google of the presenter Jamie's lifestyle. Allegedly she spends 17k a month on spas, facials etc etc. Was a former air hostess who married well.

Mark 

Thank you for the video, Tim. We had a hearty laugh about the tea room (the one in the first minutes). They sit in the middle of all this luxury and actually use a TEA BAG. Also you can see for a split second the cheap black tin tea caddies everyone has at home. 

Hi Birgit, 

I missed that part. 

Must use the cheap tea bags for those uncooth guests. 🤣

Mark