Types of Jade

Mystical jade has its own charm and beautiful translucent appearance. Just like all other gemstones Jade is also available in different types. Factors which determine type of jade are tone, color, translucency, clarity, texture and cutting.

Tone and Color: this is very specific quality of color grade and finest colored jade has penetrating and vivid color. Color of jade should be evenly distributed.
Translucency and clarity: jade is available from transparent to opaque.
Texture: texture of jade can be coarse to fine; clear jade is graded as highest quality Jade.
Cutting: How the shaping is done. All these factors collectively determine the type of jade.

Jade is basically classified into four different types.
“A” type or natural jade: this type of jade undergoes the traditional processing like plum juice washing; this process is done for polishing marks and then it is soaked in wax. This process is recognized as standard practice. Because of its natural color Type A jade is also referred as jade with “True color”.

‘B’ type Jade: this type of jade is chemically bleached; this bleaching process removes impurities and it is some polymers are impregnated which enhances the translucency. Structure integrity of the jade is disturbed by this treatment.

Type ‘C’ jade: this type of jade is dyed to improved coloration; at the beginning color of this jade will be brilliant and rich but as time passes it undergoes discoloration.

Type ‘B+C’ jade: when polymer is impregnated in jade it is also dyed artificially. Color of this type of jade does not disappear as time passes.

Type A jade is precious and very expensive because of its translucency, even coloration and smooth surface. Imperial jade and emerald green colored jade from Myanmar are considered to be most valuable jades. Along with emerald green color; jade can be appear in mottled green and white color; yellow, purple, pink and black colored jade is very rare. The range of green is light green to dark green. Color of jade is most important criteria which determine type of jade. On Moh’s scale of hardness Jade is a 6 ½-7.

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