Authentic Jade|How to If Jade is Real (2024)

Nowadays, anything can be forged, from gold to diamonds. Thus, it is crucial to know how to have a Authentic Jade Test of your favorite gemstone. Appearances can be deceiving, but few things can be perfectly faked. To avoid deception, learn how to distinguish real jade. Below, we outline how to look beyond the beautiful, shiny green surface to determine if the jade you have is genuine.

Nephrite and Jadeite - The Two Types of Jade

Jade comes in two distinct forms: jadeite and nephrite. Although both stones are referred to as jade, their chemical compositions and crystal structures differ significantly. Jadeite is a silicate compound of sodium and aluminum, classified as a pyroxene. Nephrite is a silicate compound of calcium and magnesium, classified as an amphibole.

Jadeite is rarer than nephrite, primarily found in northern Myanmar. Jadeite has a higher Mohs hardness rating and greater density than nephrite. Jadeite's color is more vibrant, while nephrite is available only in green, white, and yellow. However, jadeite mostly presents various shades of green, ranging from apple green to emerald green. Jadeite appears more oily, while nephrite has a glassy or vitreous luster.

Because nephrite is more common, it is also cheaper. Jadeite is harder to obtain and more expensive, making it more susceptible to being faked.

Testing Your Jade for Authenticity

Authentic Jade

Now that we know the two main types of jade, let's learn how to determine if jade is genuine.

Check for Anomalies

Genuine nephrite and jadeite will have fibrous, granular, or felt-like inclusions in their structure. You can view these under bright light. Using a 10x loupe can make them easier to see. The most common compound used to fake jade is chrysoprase, a microcrystalline material. Chrysoprase's microcrystalline structure means it won't have these inclusions.

When using a 10x loupe, also look for layering. Any layering indicates the jade has been doublet. Doublet refers to a process where a thin layer of real jade is placed over a different base. True jade or nephrite should only have felt-like inclusions; if the appearance is uniform and layered, it's likely fake jade. You might wonder if these marks can be replicated, but it's challenging. Even if the seller manages to do so, other factors distinguishing real jade from fake will reveal their tricks.

Check for Flaws

Most of the time, flaws in gemstones are considered disadvantages. However, for jade, flaws can add to its value. As we discussed earlier, fibrous textures indicate genuine jade. The flaws you don’t want to see are bubbles, which can also be detected with a loupe. You may offend some sellers by inspecting jewelry too closely, but be cautious if a retailer is overly eager for you to examine their jade. They may be trying to hide something.

Density Check

Both jadeite and nephrite are relatively dense. Jadeite has a density of about 3.3, while nephrite's density is around 3.0. Density is the mass per unit volume of a substance. The first way to check density is to toss the stone in the air and catch it. The stone should feel heavier than other stones of similar size. The second method requires a piece of jade you know to be genuine. Tap the genuine jade against the jade you're testing. If the sound resembles two plastic beads clinking together, the jade is likely fake. If you can accurately measure the mass and volume using proper tools, that's even better. However, this is not possible in a retail setting.

Scratch Test

Jadeite is a hard stone and can scratch glass and most metals. If you scratch the surface of pure jadeite with any of these substances, no scratches should be left. A white line might appear but should be easy to wipe off. Nephrite is not as hard as jadeite, so you may damage it if the gemstone you are testing is nephrite. Be careful when conducting this test. Even if a stone proves to be fake jade, it might still be valuable, such as green quartz or prehnite. If you choose to use the scratch test, only perform it on gemstones you already own and ensure to do it in an inconspicuous area of the stone.

Temperature Test

Genuine jade should feel cool to the touch and have a soapy feel. It should take a while to warm up in your hand. This test is not entirely accurate since it is subjective. What feels cold to one person might feel warm to another. A more accurate method is to compare it with a genuine piece of jade of similar shape and size. It is best to do this simultaneously, holding one piece in each hand.

Sound Test

As with other tests, the sound test works better if you have a piece of real jade on hand. Tap the jade you are testing against the genuine jade. You should hear a chime, similar to a bell. It makes this sound because it is denser than most gemstones of similar size. If you tap genuine jade with glass, it should make a heavier, more bell-like sound. Many other gemstones will produce a hollow sound. If the jade you are testing makes these sounds, it is likely fake.

Things to Watch Out For

Even if you possess genuine jade, it might have undergone various treatments, such as:

• Dyeing
• Bleaching
• Polymer stabilization
• Doubling and tripling

Based on these treatments, we classify jade into three types:

Type A:

• Natural and untreated
• Traditional processes like plum juice cleaning and wax polishing
• Retains its true color

Type B:

• Bleached to remove impurities
• Enhanced transparency
• Coated with a plastic-like layer
• Unstable and prone to color change
• 100% jade with natural color

Type C:

• Chemically bleached
• Dyed to enhance color
• Prone to fading over time

Stones Resembling Jade

Jade is a beautiful and precious gemstone, but several stones resemble it. This doesn’t necessarily mean these stones are worthless. Here are some green gemstones that look like jade:

Aventurine:

Aventurine closely resembles jade and is sometimes called Indian jade or Australian jade, but it’s not jade at all. It’s a quartz from a different mineral family. Some sellers use the names Australian jade or Indian jade to confuse buyers.

Greenstone:

First encountered by New Zealand’s Māori, who called it Pounamu, this gem is also known as nephrite. European explorers renamed it, but the name greenstone has stuck, even though it is simpler to call it Pounamu or nephrite.

Serpentine:

This refers to a group of stones that look very similar to jade. However, serpentine has a waxy luster when polished, unlike jade’s glassy or oily luster. Serpentine is also not as smooth as jade.

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