Jade Beads

These priceless objects can now be found in renowned collections and museums around the globe. What exactly is the jade, how much is it worth, and where did it come from? Here, we look at some basic jade stone information that all collectors should be aware of before making a purchase.

What is a Jade bead?

First off, we should understand what jade is and its history. It is best to look at the history of the stone itself in order to comprehend jade objects more fully. Just how is jade created? The two minerals that makeup jade stones, which are calcium magnesium silicates and can later be shaped into beads for jewelry, are nephrite and jadeite. Until the middle of the 20th century, when researchers studying jade found the two distinct chemical compositions, these two jewels could not be distinguished from one another. Both are referred to as "zhen yu," or real jade. The rarer of the two varieties, jadeite, is valued higher because of its rarity.

Where Is Jade Found?

There are several areas worldwide where jade is mined. In Guatemala, China, and Russia, nephrite and jadeite can both be found. Both the Swiss Alps and New Zealand have yielded nephrite deposits of different quality. There are some stunning dark green stones known as "Canada Jade" that come from Western Canada. The most sought-after jadeite stones are referred to as "Burmese Jade" and can be found in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. These have grown to be extremely rare and valuable as a result of the nation's political unrest and trade limitations.

Which Family Of Gemstones Do Jade Beads Fall Under?

Jade is a gemstone that was initially used to make weapons and tools because of its durability, but the gemstone has also traditionally made its way into ornamental items and talismans because of its brilliance and vivid color. The naturally occurring stone known as jade comes in a variety of colors, including lavender, orange, blue, black, yellow, red, and white. However, most people associate jade gemstones with a deep green hue.

Despite the fact that there are several jade products available, they can be divided into one of two groups based on the minerals they are made of:

• Nephrite
• Jadeite

Because it can be challenging to discern between jadeite and nephrite, the name "Jade" is frequently used to refer to both gemstones. The mineral makeup is what makes the true difference. Pyroxene, which has a high aluminum content, is mostly used to make jadeite. Amphibole nephrite is high in magnesium. Aside from this distinction, they appear to be extremely physically similar.

How is Jade beads used for Jewelry?

Jade jewelry now combines both contemporary and vintage jewelry designs. Traditional jade bracelets are still a mainstay of jade jewelry creation and frequently include additional beads or materials, such as gold. Chinese jade jewelry often contains nephrite and jadeite and symbolizes a rich cultural legacy.

Once a boulder or rock of jade is discovered, it is regarded as "raw jade.” There hasn't been any manufacturing or processing done to raw jade yet. Additionally, it hasn't been fashioned into jewelry like jade rings or bracelets.

The larger stones that are collected from mines all over the world typically have an outer layer that is opaque and a little magnifying glass that allows one to see the interior. Through that glass, jewelry producers will be able to see the premium jadeite, and they will then have to bargain based on what they can see. It requires a skilled artisan or jeweler with years of experience to employ the right equipment to carve the stone after it has been taken off the market. Carvings are usually straightforward when the stone is higher-quality jadeite.

Higher-quality jadeite will yield similarly straightforward jade jewelry. Because a high-quality stone should be kept as intact as possible, preserving its natural form and allowing it to speak for itself, more complicated carving methods can benefit from diverse colorations, especially when working with jade, which occasionally has multiple colors in one stone and isn't always an emerald green tint.

In order to create jewelry like jade rings, jade necklace pendants, jade bracelets, or other items, cabochons, which are essentially spherical stones, can be cut from the material. China is the main center for polishing jadeite, which mostly comes from facilities that cut jade in Myanmar. Many cutters in Myanmar continue to polish jadeite using a hollow bamboo lathe that has been dipped in a water and sand solution. Hololiths extracted from a single piece of unpolished jade can be carved into a pendant, bangle, or jade ring by manufacturers of jade jewelry.

However, rings and other jade jewelry are made from cabochons. When purchasing cabochons, pay attention to the jade's dimensions, thickness, and symmetry. Look for similar transparency, size, and symmetrical cuts when selecting jade bracelets or jade necklaces fashioned from round jade beads. These are all applied to create higher-quality jade jewelry.

What Are The Meanings Associated With Jade Beads?

Jade is incredibly colorful and strong, and it can be fashioned into many different forms and polished to a much greater sheen than other gemstones. For this reason, jade jewelry, such as pendants, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings, is quite popular. These jade jewelry pieces are typically created with solid gemstones combined with diamonds, silver, gold, and other precious metals.

Jade is used to make ornaments, miniature sculptures, and religious art in addition to the common jewelry you can buy in stores. Emeralds, sapphires, rubies, and diamonds are just a few examples of gemstones that continue to be more popular than jade in regions like Europe and the United States. Jade, however, is one of the most valuable gemstones in other parts of the world, such as China.

In China, jade has long been the most sought-after gemstone. In order to obtain the finest examples, Chinese emperors engaged in commerce and armed conflict with faraway populations. They continue to be a crucial component of religious art and are included in presents given on special occasions like birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries.

Similar to how we wear jade jewelry today, historically, carved jade pendants were worn, but their purpose was to serve as talismans of protection. Incense burners and masks made of jade have been discovered in connection with religious events from Mesoamerica to ancient China.

People have long believed that jade can treat everything from kidney stones to nightmares.

Jade carries the energy of plenty, fresh starts, and health. The jade stone is frequently regarded as a symbol of purity or purging. Additionally, it is a stone that supports vitality, abundance, and heart energy and provides protection. Jade also has the meanings of balance, harmony, and tenderness.

How to Tell if Jade Is Real

Let's get back to that jade bracelet you recently purchased and have been showing off at events ever since. Is it the actual thing? Avoid any doubt. Use these easy yet reliable methods to determine a jade bracelet's authenticity:

1. The Eye Test - Check The Texture

Examining the texture of your jade gemstone will help you determine whether it is genuine or not. Although jade comes in a wide range of hues, it should never be opaque or boring. A dull texture indicates that the jade is not genuine and may have been chemically colored. If a piece of jewelry has bubbles inside or has two different colors within one stone, it is more likely that the glass or fake jade was used to imitate a gemstone.

The best jade has a smooth, translucent surface. They are incredibly brightly colored and reflect light like water. Other opaque stones exist, but they are reasonably priced.

2. Applying the "Light Test," Searching for Regularities and Inconsistencies

Undoubtedly, the simplest way to tell if a piece of jade is genuine is to perform the light test. Check that the colors on your bracelet are consistent by holding it up to the light right away. It must be consistent, with a few minor changes and patterns. Fake jade will either have imperfections inside or have extremely flawless coloring.

The bracelet is probably not real if the pattern is too precise and regular. Examine the stone for flaws in the way it was cut or the surface lines. Even after being polished, genuine jade will still contain tiny flaws like dents on the surface.

3. How To Check The Density Of Jade Using The "Toss Test"

Jade bracelets should be thrown in the air if you're unsure of their provenance. If it is real, it ought to feel heavy when caught. Because natural jade has a high density, it seems that way (nephrite jade is 2.90–3.03 and jadeite jade is 3.30–3.38).

To feel its weight, throw it and then catch it a few times. It wouldn't feel as substantial if it were a replica made of glass or another material.

Although there is no foolproof method to determine whether a piece of jade is authentic or fake, the toss or density test is still often used.

4.  The "Clicking Test": Play Jade Music

If you're still unsure of how to determine whether jade is authentic, pay close attention to its tone. Do you currently own a real jade piece of jewelry? If so, lightly tap it against your bracelet. Use a key or coin if you have one, but don't strike it too hard. This is also referred to as the "sound test."

Its sound will be hollow and echoey if made of glass, plastic, or some other light material. The identical sound is echoed back more subduedly and with a deeper resonance when tapping on pure jade.

5. How To Tell If Jade Is Real By Performing The "Scratch Test."

To check if your bracelet is genuine or not, use the scratch test for jade jewelry.

Original jade stones are so tough that they are difficult to scratch with everyday metal objects. Jade has a hardness between 6.0 and 7.0 on the Mohs scale, which is higher than steel's 5.0 hardness, making it impossible for steel to scratch the surface of the stone.

Use a sharp implement, such as a knife or needle, to scratch the surface of your bracelet. The jewelry item is not real if it leaves a noticeable mark. Jade will easily scratch other gemstones used in jewelry, such as topaz or amethyst. Therefore, this is a useful way to distinguish real jade from fake.

Due to the scrape, no powdery stuff should come off. If it does, the jade is probably a fake or of poor quality.

Why Choose Beads of Cambay To Buy Jade Beads Wholesale?

A well-known online retailer of beads crafted from exquisite stones is called Beads of Cambay. You can get jade beads from Beads of Cambay if you need them for jewelry creation, retail sales, or personal usage. Each and every one of our products are constructed from stunning, flawless natural stones. We offer all of our products at fair prices so that customers can purchase them.

Our team has a wealth of industry knowledge, which allows us to provide our clients with premium products at affordable prices. We offer a huge selection of jade beads for sale. If you're seeking jade or other gemstones, check out our product listings since we also sell different kinds of Gemstone Beads.

You can save money by buying wholesale jade from us and still offer premium jade beads to your clients.

Jade Beads - Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Symbolism Of Jade?

Jade's symbology has connections with royalty and wealth. In the eyes of many, it protects both the living and the dead. Jade is and always will be the "Gem Supreme" and "Jewel of Heaven," the stone of the heart.

What Purposes Can Jade Serve?

Crystal therapy asserts that jade has calming and sedative properties, dispels fear, offers solace, and promotes goodness. Then, it harmonizes feelings, offers straightforward and modest ideas, and helps the heart find the compassion to reach the right conclusions. In addition, it promotes regeneration and broadens your thinking. 

What Is The Luckiest Color For Jade?

The emblems of luck are three colors of jade, such as white, purple, and green, or purple, yellow, and green. Life's progress never ceases to occur. Chinese people have revered the Fu Lou Shou jade color pattern for millennia.

Who Can Wear Jade?

Because it promotes knowledge and analytical thinking, in particular, jade is said to be most helpful for people who feel uncertain and lost. But anyone and everyone can wear one because a jade stone promotes positive thinking and attracts luck. Not only can you wear jade, but it is a great accessory to any outfit and is​​ a great conversation starter.

Are Jades More Valuable Than Diamonds?

If the jade is of a higher grade, like Burmese jade, it may be more expensive than diamonds in some locations. One of the best varieties of this stone is still Burmese jade, which stands out for its harder, denser, and glossier brilliance.

What Is Jade's Rarest Color?

The rarest jade hue is blue. The most well-known of these colors are green and lavender, while blue jade is said to be the most uncommon. Gem-quality jadeite is only found in a few deposits, including those in Myanmar, Japan, and Guatemala.

Does Jade Glow Under Blacklight?

The lesson learned from this is that, typically, jadeite jade does not glow without external treatment. Repeated testing has shown that there will occasionally be glowing inclusions, although they should only be a few specks in an untreated piece.

What Are The Types of Jades?

Three types of jadeite are distinguished: untreated jadeite (A), jadeite that has been bleached and impregnated (B), and untreated jadeite (C) (bleached, impregnated, and dyed). The most valuable type of jadeite is translucent emerald green jadeite, often known as "Imperial Jade." Most jadeite is mined in the USA, Guatemala, and Myanmar.