How to Identify Real Jade

Jade is a very beautiful stone with colors such as green, lavender, orange, red or white. The quality of jade is classified into grades A, B, and C, depending on the method of processing the jade. ^{[1] X Research Source} Whether you’re shopping for jade or curious about your jewelry collection, it’s helpful to be able to tell if it’s real or fake. First, check the color and texture to make sure the stone is smooth, vibrant, and uniform. You can then use some basic home tests to evaluate the stone. Ultimately, it’s best to have the stone checked by a jeweler to assess its authenticity.

Table of Contents

Check out the colors and textures

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Check out the smoothness and vibrant colors that reflect light like water. Examine the color of the stone to see if it is vibrant and shimmering. Most jade will not be completely opaque or completely transparent. Since it is a combination of transparency and opacity, look for water that is similar to the light bounced off the surface of the water. If the stone is dull or uniform in color, it is probably a fake. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Real jade is also sometimes completely opaque, but opaque gems are usually not very valuable. ^{[3] X Research Sources}
If the stone looks like it has air bubbles inside, it’s probably not real.

Tips: Real jade is classified A, B, C based on the treatment method to achieve the color of the stone. Grade A is natural and untreated jade, which may be coated with wax to enhance its color. Type B is jade that is chemically bleached to remove impurities, then injected with ppymer for reinforcement. Finally, grade C is jade that has been chemically bleached and dyed for a better color, so it can fade over time. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Check the color of the pearl to make sure it is uniform, imperfect, and free of spots. You may notice some color variations when looking at a real jadeite as a whole. These color variations are often uniform, meaning it has the same pattern throughout the stone. In contrast, the color of imitation jade may be perfect or not uniform, meaning it has speckles. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

You should observe the gem under direct light to see it more clearly.

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Look for imperfections in the jade surface, such as dents or roughness. Real stones often have minor imperfections such as disproportionate shape, dents or pitting in the surface. These blemishes may persist even after polishing. Check to see if your stone looks too perfect. If so, it’s probably fake. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

This may not be the case if you are considering a piece of fine jewelry, as the highest quality jade is likely to be free of defects.

Perform basic tests

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Toss the stone in the air and catch it in the palm of your hand to see if it weighs. Real jade has a very high density, which means it will feel heavier than you think based on its size. Toss the gem up and catch it a few times to feel the weight. If possible, compare it with another stone to estimate the weight of the jade. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Although this is not an exact test, it is a commonly used way to judge the authenticity of jade.

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Apply the pearl to your cheek to see if it cools. Jade is a very cool stone, so you will feel cold when touching the stone surface. Apply an ice cube to your face or neck to see if it feels cool on your skin. If not, it’s probably fake jade. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Real jade will not heat up even if you put it on your face for a few minutes. It stays cool even when you rub it on your skin.

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Try to warm the ice cube in your hand to see if it stays cool. Place the stone in the palm of your hand, then make a fist. Grip the ice cube to try to warm it up. Wait for 1-2 minutes, then touch the ice to see if it is still cool. Real jade will stay cool, while fake jade will usually warm up. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Maybe the fake stone is cool, but this is still a method to help you distinguish the real jade from the fake one.

Jerry Ehrenwald

President of International Gempogical Institute & Gemologist

IGI President, Jerry Ehrenwald, is a New York-based gemologist who has spent his life in the industry. He is the inventor of the US-patented Laserscribe℠, a device used to engrave a distinctive marking on diamonds, such as a DIN (Diamond Identification Number) number. Ehrenwald is in charge of running IGI’s commercial laboratory and validation division. He is honored to be a senior member of the American Association of Assessors (ASA) and a member of the Twenty-Four Karat Club in New York, a club limited to 200 of the most successful individuals in the world. jewelry industry.

Jerry Ehrenwald
President of International Gempogical Institute & Gemologist

Expert Opinion: The temperature of the stone can help determine if it’s real jade. Hold the stone in your hand to feel it – real jade takes a long time to warm up. If your stone warms up quickly and you don’t feel cool in your hand, it is most likely a fake.

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Tap the stone to be tested into the real jade. This method can help you estimate the density of a stone you think is jade. Knock two stones together a few times and listen to their sound. Since real jade is quite hard, you will hear a deep and resonant sound when the two stones collide. If the chime sounds like plastic beads, then the stone you are trying is probably a fake. ^{[10] X Research Source}

If you don’t have real jade, you can try another stone, but be aware that it’s not as effective as if you tried it with real jade.

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Do the scratch test with your fingernail or a piece of metal. The easiest way is to run your finger along the edge of the stone to see if it is scratched. Another option is to use scissors or a razor to scratch the surface of the stone in a hard-to-see area. If the stone is scratched, it probably isn’t real. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Jade is a hard stone so it is not easily scratched.

Another option: You can do a hot-spin scratch test to make sure the stone isn’t dyed like jade. Dip a pin in hot water to heat it up, then use the sharp end of the pin to trace the surface of the stone. Check for scratches. If there are scratches, it is probably fake jade. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Take the stone to the jeweler

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Have a jeweler examine the stone to determine if it is real jade. Jewelers have the expertise to identify real or fake gems and gems. They can look at the stone under a magnifying glass to determine the texture of real jade and check for signs of fake jade. They will evaluate the properties of the stone and tell you if it is real or fake. ^{[13] X Research Source}

The jeweler will usually examine the stone in front of you.
You may need to consult a jeweler to get more opinions on the authenticity of the stone.

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Ask the jeweler to perform the density test. A jeweler can measure the density of a stone you think is jade using a spring balance and the amount of water displaced. They will then compare the density of the stone with the density chart of the jade to see if it meets the standards of real jade. If the result matches then it is real. If the density of the stone is not the same as that of the jade, it is highly likely to be fake. ^{[14] X Research Source}

If you are concerned about the density method, ask your jeweler how they usually do it before trying it. You may even get to watch them try the stone.

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Have a jeweler estimate the value of the jade. One of the benefits of taking jade to a jeweler is that you can know its value. Jewelers can evaluate the jade and also the jeweled jewelry if it is part of the jewelry. Ask how much you can sell the gem for, and if its value will increase over time. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Note that this estimate is an estimate only.
It’s best to see multiple jewelers when you want to estimate the value of a gem.

Advice

If you really love jade and want a high-quality gem, ask the seller for a certificate that confirms your gem is of “A” quality. Most jewelers have this certificate.

Warning

It can be difficult to identify real jade on your own, so be careful when buying jade. It’s best to get an assessment from a gemologist before you spend a fortune.

Steps

Check out the colors and textures

Perform basic tests

Take the stone to the jeweler

Advice

Warning

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