Strictly speaking, Jade can only be used to refer to either Nephrite or Jadeite minerals. Each of the minerals is a member of a complex chemical composite, and its properties vary substantially through the substitution of different metal ions in its structure.

Nephrite belongs to the Amphibole group, consisting of two different silicate minerals with a monoclinic crystal system. These two minerals, tremolite and actinolite, differ essentially

It is commonly accepted that the Mohr hardness of Nephrite and Jadeite is 6-6.5 and 6.5-7 respectively. Due to this aspect, in 1925, Japanese since then classified Nephrite as ‘soft Jade’ and Jadeite as ‘hard Jade’.

However, this is technically wrong! In 1978, Taiwanese Professor Tan Li Ping pointed out that Mohr hardness is a simple and crude test that needs to be replaced by more accurate Vickers Hardness test method. Using this Vickers hardness test method, Prof Tan discovered that the so-called ‘soft Jade’ Nephrite, in fact is harder than the ‘hard Jade’, Jadeite.

Researchers found out that by adopting the Vickers method and converting back to Mohr Hardness scale, Nephrite achieved a Mohr hardness of between 5.8-7.1; the highly prized Khotan Nephrite as well as the New Zealand Nephrite also attained hardness of 6.5-7. Hence, the terms ‘hard Jade’ and ‘soft Jade’ for classifying Jadeite and Nephrite are misleading and outdated; they ought to be discontinued.

Both Nephrite and Jadeite are very dense minerals. Under a microscope, Nephrite has a fibrous structure and Jadeite is more crystalline; that explains why Nephrite has a higher tenacity than Jadeite. The basic colors of Nephrite are white, green and yellow. However, when Iron starts to replace Magnesium during the chemical composition, its colors will vary between celadon, greenish-yellow and yellowish-white; other colors like red and black can also be found. The visual appearance of Nephrite is translucent with a soapy appearance, and Jadeite is having a vitreous luster. Gem quality Jadeite can only be found at the border of China Yunan province and Burma; hence Jadeite is sometimes referred to as ‘Burmese Jade’. The colors of Jadeite vary from white, grey, green, violet to red; with the imperial green as the most highly prized and sought after color.

The usage of Jade in China history goes back to as early as the Neolithic period, whereby tools and weapons were made in jade and other hard stones. These jade tools were plain and mainly utilitarian.

Chinese civilization, as described in mythology, begins with Pangu (盘古), the creator of the universe, and a succession of legendary sage-emperors and culture heroes (among them are Huang Di 黄帝, Yao 尧 , and Shun 舜) who taught the ancient Chinese to communicate and to find food, clothing, and shelter .

The first prehistoric dynasty is said to be ‘Xia’ (夏) (2000BC-1600BC), followed by ‘Shang’ (商) dynasty (1600BC-1050BC) and ‘Zhou’ (周) dynasty (1050BC-221BC).

Until scientific excavations were made at early bronze-age sites at Anyang (安阳), Henan (河南) Province, in 1928, Xia dynasty had remained as a myth with no historical evidence on its existence. Xia Dynasty resumed hereditary realm from the legendary Yellow Emperor times, and began the period of a family or a clan controlling the nation. It was also during this period that the Chinese civilization developed a ruling government and harsh punishment for legal violations . Jades found from the excavated sites, presumed to belong to Xia dynasty, were mainly jade weapons. To Chinese, Jade is a symbol of ‘power’ and ‘status’, and using jade as weapons were meant to send the signal of military power during that time.

Archeological findings indicated that burial jades were crucial to the after-life of the elites. This belief reached its peak  during the Han dynasty, where jade were believed to even presumed the body of the dead. Jade carvings on mythical beasts and highly elaborated hollowed bi disc were widely used.

During the reign of Qianlong, the borders of China were expanded to their greatest extent ever. It was during this time, the traditional source of nephrite, Xin Jiang 新疆 was annexed by Qianlong. His reign was the time of the greatest prosperity during the Qing Dynasty. He was a connoisseur of Chinese jade carvings, and set a very high standard towards jade appraisal which none other predecessors had ever achieved before.

For the purpose of imperial jade quality assurance, an imperial jade auditing unit was deliberately setup within the palace for the emperor’s easy command and control. Historical records show that Qianlong in fact personally appraised many spectacular jade pieces including categorizing their standings. However, Qianlong had a bad habit of engraving peoms on antique jade pieces, an act which till now, many scholars disapprove because it spoiled the original intended beauty.

Furthermore, shining through the piece with a strong light source also revealed that the colors were found ‘floating’ or rather color concentration was diffused near the surface only; telltale indicating that the jade piece had undergone dyeing process.

Primitive tools usually leave behind undulating and blur-greasy polish, and the incised sharp turns are normally completed in stages and not at one go, as in this case. Therefore in my opinion, this is not a real antique piece, but a modern antique replica using nephrite material.

To reduce the mistakes and “school fees” that antique jade lovers might commit, I have summarized down the preventive steps to be followed, recommended by the book ‘gu yu tong lun’ 古玉通论 :

1. Jade type

2. Calcification

3. Surface texture

4. Carving technique and style

5. Overall artistic design or theme

6. Background adopted pattern

Steps 1 to 4 will determine whether it is really an old piece, and 5 to 6 will help to estimate the era during the time when the jade was produced.

My advise to antique jade collectors is to own a few pieces of genuine antique pieces, study their characteristics; read lots of books to understand the trend and style during the different dynasties and periods; do some market research at jade markets in China or Taiwan to look at the latest advancement in ‘faking’ antique jades. Well, you may even able to find a piece of genuine antique jade at times.

The fun and excitement about collecting jade is to know more than the seller and to get an upper hand on bargaining, secondly, is one’s ‘jade- fate’, 玉缘 . To be able to find a particular piece of authentic jade, it’s not a matter of whether you can afford it or not, it’s whether you are fated to own it or even a chance to see it. So, at times, it’s still worthwhile to ‘bet’ on certain piece of jade. However, if it’s a wrong bet, simply take it as a learning fee. A piece of advise on betting on jade, especially at any jade market, it’s still better to bet on antique jades. For antique jade pieces, there are more tell-tail signs that current crafters are not capable in imitating. However, to be sure of the stone material, it is advisable to use some lab equipments or at least a 10x loupe.

These two bangles were brought to me from a friend of mine, whom travels frequently to HongKong and Shanghai. He bought one of the bangle from a proper jade shop in shanghai and the other one from HongKong jade street during his recent overseas trip.

Indeed, Qing Hai jade falls into the nephrite category since the physical properties e.g. specific gravity and refractive index, are within the nephrite range. However under close examination, the crystalline structure of QingHai type is rather loosely compacted comparing to Khotan jade. Besides, white QingHai jade usually comes in greyish hue with “water lines” inclusion. It was this “water lines” trademark that initially made me believed the bangles were originated from QingHai.

Having S.G of 2.75 and Mohr’s hardness of less than 6.5, coupled with fake “water lines” due to swirling effect from fine bubbles, I suspect the bangles are definitely not made of nephrite material but some kind of artificial glass material. The swirling effect created by the fine bubbles is basically a “birth mark” of man-made glass, formed during continuous stirring stage in the manufacturing process.

A very simple but destructive method to check if a stone is Nephrite or not is by scratching it with a penknife. Nephrite material, having a Mohr hardness of 6.5 will not be scratched by a penknife, but other materials like glass, that has a hardness of about 5 can be scratched easily.

The prices of Nephrite is on a rising trend, and therefore, much more advanced methods are worth investing to deceive potential buyers. One common method of faking white jade is merely manufacturing look-alike white creamy glass; but one can still differentiate it with its light-weight feel. However, with the modern technology, higher lead content can be added to the glass to increase its density.

Therefore, my advice to jade lovers……only patronize reputable jewelry stores. Some unscrupulous dealers will find all means to cheat people, even to the extent of opening up a shop!

Jade was a privilege only to the rich and powerful people, and it embodied its owners during their lives and afterlives. Archeological findings of the Chinese Bronze age from Shang Dynasty (BC1600 to 1050BC) and Zhou Dynasty (BC1050 to 221BC) indicated that burial jades were crucial to the afterlife of the elites. This belief reached its peak during the Han Dynasty (206BC-9AD), where jade was believed to preserve the body of the dead; the jade suit of Prince Liu Sheng, consort Dou Wan and King of Nanyue were spectacular evidence on the mystique of jade in ancient China.