Posted 9 years ago
Bluboi
(103 items)
I have a friend who is a jade expert and he kindly sold me these beautiful mixed lavender jadeite beads: There are thirty-four (34) perfectly round 15mm beads of light to medium lavender and green Burmese jadeite, Type A natural color, alternating colors, 18.3" overall, 894 carats total weight. They were loose strung when I bought them.
For fun, I also bought three separate pendants and have a bale which allows me to add any of them when I want.
Pendants:
Jadeite Prunus, 35mm long, Type A natural color Burmese jadeite.
Lavender Jadeite Bixie, pale lavender, Type A natural color Burmese jadeite, 1.7" long, highly polished
Rectangular Type A natural color jadeite pendant, 1.9" long
What a jadeite necklace! Chunky size, mis matched interesting colors (oooh that lavender!).
To get pieces from a jadeite expert is a security, can be fooled by a lot of pieces...
I'm in absolute love with the bixie *o*!
I never knew jade came in other colours. The lavender shades are just beautiful.
Thanks everyone!
Racer, To start, jade actually refers to two stones: jadeite and nephrite. Jadeite was first imported into China in 1784 from Burma. Up to this time the jade used in China was nephrite jade. Jadeite is found in a few places in the world, but the only commercially mined deposit is in Burma. Burmese jade is another name for jadeite. Jadeite comes in many colors, with Imperial Jade being the most sought after. The major jade supply is Burma, and at this time, no jade from Burma is allowed to be imported into the US, so prices for existing jade pieces have increased exponentially. This is on top of a huge interest in repurchasing jade by Chinese buyers.
This article from the GIA has a photo with all of the various colors:
http://www.gia.edu/jade-quality-factor
If you want to read about Barbara Hutton and her fabulous Cartier jadeite necklace (sold for more than $27 million) go here:
http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/2014/magnificent-jewels-jadeite-hk0518/jadeite-necklace/2014/03/barbara-hutton.html
http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/2014/magnificent-jewels-jadeite-hk0518/jadeite-necklace/2014/03/hutton-mdivani-neckl.html
Good photo of the necklace:
http://www.jewelsdujour.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/hk0518jadeite-1847-hr-3.jpg
Nephrite jade is not as flashy as its cousin, jadeite; nevertheless this is the true jade of ancient China. Nephrite jade was imported into China over three thousand years ago and was the most prized of all Chinese possession. The fibrous structure of nephrite is very densely packed and as a result it is the "super skull crusher" gemstone. In spite of its low hardness, it is considered the toughest gem material.
The ancient Chinese highly valued the translucent creamy white nephrite which is called "mutton fat" jade. Today green nephrite is commonly available. "Spinach" jade is an descriptive term for much of the nephrite available; it may also be called "Taiwan jade"; it has a dark cooked spinach color. Fine nephrite in a bright yellowish green color is found in Russia; it has distinctive small black inclusions. Brightness of color and translucency are the quality factors to consider when buying nephrite. Nephrite jade falls into the low (and sometimes, moderate) price range; it may be sold by the piece rather that the carat.
Source: http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/jade.htm
Thanks so much for that info. I'm feeling much better informed.
Love the colors! Looks like cotton candy!