Jade jewelry is stunning, in various shades of green – though it is available in other colors, too. It has been a good luck stone for thousands of years. In the Chinese culture, it is called “yu” which means “royal gem.”
When shopping for jade jewelry, there are several things to understand. This will ensure that you choose a piece of jewelry that is truly magnificent without spending more than you need to.
Jade Composition
Jade is a name that is used to refer to two different gemstones: nephrite and jadeite.
Jade gemstone
Nephrite jade is a variety of the mineral actinolite and is usually green, although brown and yellow varieties can also be seen.
Jadeite jade, on the other hand, is made up of a different mineral: pyroxene. Like nephrite, jadeite is mostly green, but bluish and pink stones also exist.
Nephrite is the softer of these two varieties, with a hardness of 6-6.5 on the Mohs scale. Jadeite is a bit harder, with a hardness rating of 6.5-7.
Jadeite is harder to find than nephrite. Due to the rarity of this gemstone, it is also more expensive.
Further, it’s important to get jadeite from a good jeweler. Many jewelry stores will try to pass nephrite off as jadeite to get the higher prices.
How to Choose Jade Jewelry
The jewelry that you find with jade can be a variety of colors. You will be able to find green, red, lavender, yellow, brown and even black. Green is the most popular color.
Make sure to find a stone that has very intense colors. The more expensive stones you will find in jewelry stores will have a very dark green hue.
Choose the higher quality jade stones based upon grade. There are three grades: A, B and C.
The type A jade is completely natural. It hasn’t gone through any artificial treatments to get the rich color that you see.
B and C grades are more affordable, but they have gone through a variety of chemical treatments.
Also, take the time to look for visible cracks and flaws. If you need to, ask the jeweler for a magnifying glass so you can take an in-depth look at what you’re about to buy.
Avoid Scams and Low-Quality Jade
When you buy jade jewelry, you have to avoid scams.
Stay away from the cracks and flaws.
Buy from a reputable dealer.
Don’t hesitate to ask for a certificate, either. This will ensure you’re not buying quartz that has been dyed to look like jade.
Choose the Right Setting for Your Jade
Jade is commonly set in yellow gold or sterling silver, depending upon the color. Jade can also be cut in a variety of shapes and colors.
Try on a few different pieces to see what size fits you best. You can find necklaces, earrings, rings and even bracelets.
When you have more than one stone within the jewelry that you buy, make sure that the color is as uniform as possible.
Remember that semi-transparent and translucent jade is going to be a higher value than the opaque pieces. Hold the stones up to the light as you buy them.
Highly polished and brightly colored jade stones can help to enhance any necklace or bracelet. When you want to add a beautiful piece of jewelry to your collection, look for the deeper, more intense colors.
Cleaning jade gemstones is generally straightforward as long as you follow a few guidelines to ensure that your stones are treated and worn properly, and stored safely.
Cleaning Jade
To clean jade properly, you can use only water.
Alternatively, you can prepare a simple cleaning solution by adding a little mild soap to the water. However, do not use any other jewelry cleaners or household detergents that may contain harsh chemicals.
Use a soft cloth or a cotton pad to apply water or the cleaning solution you have prepared to your jade gemstone, and wipe it carefully. Be gentle so as not to scratch the stone’s surface. Do not soak the gemstone in water.
You can use a soft brush or a cotton swab to clean the parts of your jewelry that are hard to reach.
Wipe off any remaining soap with a clean, damp cotton pad or cloth, and dry the gemstone with a soft towel.
Things to Avoid When Caring for Jade
Do not clean your jade in a steam cleaner. This gemstone should also not be put in ultrasonic jewelry cleaners, which can be harmful to its structure.
Do not use any harsh chemicals or alcohol to clean your jade jewelry.
Wearing Jade Jewelry
When wearing jade, be careful not to hit the stone as it may easily crack or chip.
Chlorine, which is often added to water in pools and to tap water, can be harmful to jade, so make sure you take off your jade jewelry before you swim or take a shower.
It’s best to avoid contact of jade with makeup, perfume, hair spray, and other chemicals that may have an adverse effect on the stone’s surface.
Storing Your Jade
Jade can easily be scratched by harder gemstones and metals, and that’s why it’s best to keep it separate from your other pieces.
If you are storing your jade items together with other jewelry, wrap them in a soft cloth or pouch to protect them.
