How to Identify Treated Jadeite ('B' Jade)
1. There is no single dirt inside due to bleaching treatment with strong acid.
Impact of bleaching: Texture of jadeite is badly damaged during the process because it leaves voids and gaps around the boundaries of minute interlocking granules. Thus it destroys the very compact manner of granules and makes natural jadeite to become brittle. We call it 'chalky jade' in the trade.
Fig 1. Some 'B' Jade Items collected by Ultimate Jadeite
2. The transparency looks better due to polymer impregnation because what replaces during bleaching process is the polymer resin.
Fig 2. 'B' Jade Items taken at one jewelry shop in Singapore
3. "Spider Web Effect" can be found on the surface under 10x loupe or powerful microscope under diffused light. Always try to check the back side which is usually not as properly polished as the front. Or you can also check the smooth area without carving.
Fig 3. Spider Web Effect' on the back side can be easily seen with naked eyes on this 'B' Jade piece because this piece was poorly produced.
4. "Sound Test" may be used for indication but only some experience traders may be able to distinguish the difference in tone between 'A' Jade and 'B' Jade. This test is only used for bangles.
Note: Type-A Jadeite bangle has a crisp high pitch tone while Type-B Jadeite bangle has a more muted and low pitch clinging tone.
Fig 4. Correct way to tap a bangle to listen the resonated sound (actually the best is to use agate stick to tap)
5. "Specific Gravity" of 'B' Jade is generally lower than 3.33 of an untreated jadeite.
6. "Infrared Spectrometer" : This is the conclusive test whether jadeite is treated by observing the graph. Not every jadeite item has the same graph. Thus it's important information to be included in the certificate. Watch out guys! You must have REPUTABLE certificate.
Fig 5. Infrared Spectrum Graph of a Type-A Jadeite Jade Item
7. For the color injected, color veins exist so unnaturally; out of no origin especially the dyed veins exists mostly just on the surface. Color is so vivid.
Fig 6. Treated Jade Bangle with color dyed, downloaded from internet
Fig 7 . Treated Jade Bangle with color dyed, downloaded from internet
8. Last but not least, the price is too good to be true.
[But please be very careful because some unscrupulous dealers may ask high price for very nice treated jadeite item as they know if they ask low price, the price is too good to be true. So the best is you ask for REPUTABLE certificate for expensive items.]
Once again, treated jadeite jade are beautiful with pleasing colors but they are ephemeral. It will be valueless in time to come. So you are not buying a precious gemstone, you are only purchasing a costume jewelry to fit your present fashion trend. If you want a precious thing of value or if you are a keen believer that jadeite jade would bring you fortune and luck then you should avoid buying treated jadeite jade.
This is how treated jadeite jade item will look after wearing for some time or may be several years. The color will be getting faint and it finally will end up with plastic-look piece because what replaces during bleaching process is the polymer resin. But the technology of treating process is getting improved therefore the color can last may be more years.
