Due to demands from different customers, the types Jadeite used in jewellery has evolved over the years into three types that is recognized industry-wide.
Type A Jadeite is natural, untreated Jadeite. Jadeite that is classified as Type A 100% natural in colour and composition. It is normal for a Type A jadeite to have impurities in the colour as no enhancing treatments have been applied to the gem.
...................
Type B Jadeite is natural Jadeite that has been bleached with hydrochloric or sulfuric acid to remove surface impurities and discoloured areas in fractures and in between the crystals. Basically, it’s done to improve the appearance of the Jadeite. The acid treatment tends to cause some voids in the gem and resin or some type of filling material is used to fill out those gaps. The high-pressure technique used to impregnate the Jadeite with resin gives the Jadeite an appearance of improved smoothness, lustre and colour.
Type B Jadeite eventually loses its colour and turns yellow. Its internal structure also suffers damage due to the acid and bleach treatment, resulting in a much less durable piece of jewellery.
..................
Type C Jadeite is basically Jadeite that has been dyed, usually to green or lavender. Such Jade are usually quite easy to spot due to their unusually uniform appearance. These Jadeite gems are not durable and eventually lose their colour.
Both Types B and C Jadeite may be heated to give an aged appearance.
..................
What Type of Jadeite is the Best?
Given that Types B and C involve treating natural Jadeite with chemical processes that reduce their durability, it’s literally a no-brainer to say that Type A Jadeite is the premium choice when it comes to jewellery. In fact, only Type A Jadeite has collector value.
Within Type A Jadeite, the “Imperial Jade”, with its vivid green colour, takes the crown as being the most valuable one. It has a very even colour and because the individual crystals are almost indiscernible, the Jade appears almost transparent. Ïmperial Jade”looks like fine Emerald. Needless to say, “Imperial Jade” is the most costly type of Jade.
In recent years, paler versions of Jadeite are also getting more popular. Younger women gravitate towards the more contemporary look of paler Jadeite gems. When I say younger, remember that “40s is the new 30s, and 50s is the new 40s” (Thank you, Botox!)
So what type of Jadeite is use in my New Collection: Chinoiserie?
Given that I want you to enjoy your JL Heart jewellery for years to come, I opted for Type A Jadeite. I know that you'll embrace the natural beauty of gems and that includes their imperfections.
I opted for a variety of jade colours in my collection. While the “Imperial Jade” intense green colour is top notch quality, it doesn’t feel right in my work. So I took the advice of some scientific nugget of information that I read many years ago, but have since shaped my life decisions such as who to marry. “Follow your heart and believe in love at first sight."
And just like that (ok, of course there were sleepless nights dreaming up designs and callused fingers), Chinoiserie, the collection, was born.
Chinoiserie is a collection of Chinese inspired jewellery that I want you to be able to put on and feel like a million dollars. Not that it costs that much, but that so much care has been put into selecting the gems, pairing them, making them and sending them to you.
I truly believe that when you wear something made with so much love, you’ll feel the positive vibes and my wishes of Joy, Luck and Health for you.
So if you’re looking to inject some positive vibes (and lots of compliments) into your life, check out the Chinoiserie Collection here.
