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Jade Bangles & Carvings

A.Arthur Lau | June 12, 2012 | 8 comments

Probably a Type B Jade

Hi Arthur,

I would be very grateful if you could take a look at the photos of the 5 bangles and 3 pendants I have sent, to see if they are Type A jade.

The sound test for bangle 1 & 4 are high pitched but not very resonant, 2 is high pitched and resonant, while 3 & 5 are echoing medium pitched. Not sure if this info is useful.

Thanks so much for your help.

Best regards,

Winnie

Hello Winnie

It would be difficult to assess whether a jade piece is Type A or Type B just by looking at pictures. So I will venture my opinion based on many thousands of samples I have seen.  The comments of each of the jade piece is posted on the pix as caption.

Probably Type A Jadeite Jade

Please note that this is just an opinion and I would give it only an 75% significance percentile.  The only way to determine whether a jadeite jade is Type A or polymer impregnated is by means of an FTIR test.

Probably Type B Jade

However, I can say for certainty that all your jade pieces are Jadeite Jade because of the distinct structure as seen from the pictures.

Since you are from Singapore, I have a suggestion that will make your tests cheaper.  You can go to a gem lab to have it tested.  If you do not want a lab report you can ask the gemologist to run an FTIR test on the jade piece.

95% percentile is Type B Jade Bangle

A jade report from a lab may cost you S$250 to $350, however, if you just want an FTIR run then it may cost you $50, depending on the lab charges.

95% percentile is a Type B Jade bangle

These are the 2 gem labs which are reputable:

1) Far East Gemological Laboratory

2) Nan Yang Gemological Institute.

95% is Type B Jade Carving. I have tested a number of these type of translucency and color range of similar jade

Probably Type A Jadeite Jade

Probably Type A Jadeite Jade

Thank you for your interest.  I will answer your next question from your email in another posting.

A Arthur


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Category: Jade Bangles & Carvings

About the Author: A.Arthur Lau, Gemologist. Spent 20 over years abroad traveling and working in third world Asean countries as well as in Hong Kong, China, London and New York City. Greatest passion for jadeite jade. Being to the famous Hpakan Jade Mines and the Mogok Ruby Mines in Upper Myanmar (Burma). Professional qualifications include Graduate Gemologist (GIA, New York City), MBA (Cranfield University, England) and B.Sc (Hons).

Comments (8)

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  1. A.Arthur Lau says:
    June 18, 2012 at 11:28 pm

    Hello Ivan, Thanks for the references and your support.

    Arthur

  2. Ivan says:
    June 15, 2012 at 10:09 am

    Hi Winnie,

    You can look back the post, “Hearing it” (I think) from Arthur to check your bangles personally again. Most recommended test object is agate. Or it’s better if you can send those bangles for FTIR test in the gem labs. After all, I do hope all of them are grade A.

    @ Arthur,
    From your comments for bangles, I think the semi tranlucent bangles are mostly type B, so i think i get some ideas how to determine draftly type A amd B. ( not because of its semi tanslucent)

  3. A.Arthur Lau says:
    June 13, 2012 at 10:05 pm

    Hello Winnie

    Yes, don’t use 2 bangles to test for sound. You have to remember that this test is what we call a ‘quick and dirty’ test. It is by no means confirmative. Only with the use of an FTIR machine you will be able to determine whether a jade has been impregnated with polymers.

    I will write some more on this topic.

    thanks Winnie and you have a good day
    arthur

  4. A.Arthur Lau says:
    June 13, 2012 at 10:04 pm

    Hello Ivan

    Thank you very much for taking your time to give comments.

    You are absolutely right that you have to use an agate to ‘knock’ on the jade. Using a Type A jade and a Type B jade together you will only get the high pitch and resonance from the Type A jade.

    I will write some more on how to separate between Type A and Type B jade. But most important is to have experience.

    Thank you Ivan
    arthur

  5. A.Arthur Lau says:
    June 13, 2012 at 10:02 pm

    Hi Winnie,

    You are always welcome and thanks for taking your time to write a comment.

    I will write about the “Hearing” of bangles later on.

    You have a good day
    arthur

  6. Winnie says:
    June 13, 2012 at 8:41 pm

    Hi Ivan,

    No, I did not use the bangles to sound each other. I used a small piece of blue stone (not sure what kind of mineral it is) with an oval shape. The mistake I highlighted above was due to naming the picture files wrongly, saving picture 1 as 2, and vice-versa.

    Anyway, have always suspected Bangle 1 to be grade A as it sounds lovely, like a bell, different from the rest.

    Regards,
    Winnie

  7. Ivan says:
    June 13, 2012 at 1:26 pm

    Hi Winnie,

    Did you use agate stick to test the bangle sound or using one of those bangles to test the others? In my opinion, using the bangle itself to test the others may cause confusion due to personal factors. Using agate is the best choice for me.

    @Arthur,

    Can you share some experience the how can you determine whether the type B among those bangles?

    Have a nice day!

    Ivan

  8. Winnie says:
    June 12, 2012 at 11:44 am

    Hi Arthur,

    Many thanks for posting and replying to my question!
    Just to let you know that I made a slight mistake regarding my sound test as I referred to bangles 1 & 2 incorrectly. So Bangle 1 is the high-pitched and resonant one, while Bangle 2 is high-pitched but the pitch is short.

    Best regards,
    Winnie