Common questions for newbies in the industry when buying jadeite

About the Type, Water and Color of Jadeite

Jade is very particular about its quality, water, and color. The quality refers to the structure of jade, which is divided into glass type, ice type, glutinous ice, glutinous type, and bean type. The water refers to the transparency of jade, which ranges from opaque to translucent to transparent. The colors are divided into imperial green, imperial purple, clear water, blue water, black jade, red and yellow jade, spring color, floating flowers, dry green, etc. Except for imperial green and purple, which are particularly expensive, other colors depend on personal preference.

Although the water color of jade is very fine, it is difficult to clearly define it. It is said that "the price difference is ten times that of a one-point difference in water." However, some goods are said to be glutinous ice, and ice is also OK, so your own eyesight is very important~

About the price of jadeite

In terms of price, jadeite has no clear pricing standard, only a relative price range. For example, a bracelet with a normal circumference of glutinous ice colorless large circumference costs about 80,000 yuan, a colorless glutinous large circumference costs 25,000 yuan, with floating flowers × 1.5, imperial concubine ÷ 5, and small circumference ÷ 2.

Take a small-circle imperial concubine bracelet that is half glutinous ice with floating flowers and half ordinary glutinous as an example. According to the price of half of the glutinous ice with floating flowers, it is: 8*1.5÷2÷1.5÷2=2. The other half circle of ordinary glutinous rice: 2.5÷1.5÷2÷2 is approximately equal to 0.41. Then the price of this bracelet is 2+0.41=24,100. This is the cost price. Generally, merchants will add 25 to 30 percent profit and the final selling price will be between 30,000 and 32,000 yuan.

Moreover, due to factors such as labor, purchasing channels, store location and brand premium, the specific price depends on the situation. Normally a bracelet worth 30,000 yuan would not be sold for 3,000 yuan during a clearance sale. If the price difference is too big, it is either that the product is not what was described or the premium is too high. Of course, jade is all about taste. As long as it is not fake, the price does not need to be too serious, just be happy.

How to choose

If you buy finished inlaid items, such as necklaces, rings, bracelets, etc., you should pay attention to whether the back is sealed. If it has a sealed back and no windows, it is not recommended to buy it because there is no way to see the actual color, and it is even possible that padding paper has been added to make the color look richer.

If you buy loose stones and set them yourself, you also need to consider the cost of setting. "Small diamonds are worthless" only applies to the income of female stars... For ordinary people, it is very painful to set small small diamonds...

If you are buying a bracelet, try not to buy the kind that requires you to select the materials, pay and then cut it, because once it is cut you cannot return it... and many bracelets will turn from the real thing into a fake one when you get them. In terms of style and type, if you consider practicality, necklace sets are suitable for big occasions like banquets, while bracelets and bangles are versatile for daily wear. Buy rationally so that you don't end up with them in the bottom of your closet after buying them...

With the development of online transportation, there are more and more channels to purchase jade. If you have enough budget, you can just go to the mall to buy it. However, the prices in the mall are usually high. Most of the ones that cost several thousand yuan look like stone materials... But at least there will be no fakes. There is nothing wrong with it except that it is expensive...

When you go to a jade store, look for an old store that has been open for more than ten years. It has a good reputation and generally does not sell fakes. If you shop online, you must also find a reliable merchant. It is best to see the product in person. It is best to view it under sunlight. Spotlights and yellow light sources will cause color differences. There must also be an appreciation period. If it is not suitable, you can return it.

Finally, don’t buy it at tourist attractions, and it is not recommended to buy it at the place of origin. Don’t think you can buy cheap jadeite in Yunnan, free Hetian jade in Xinjiang, or cheap sapphire in Sri Lanka…

About picking up leaks and authenticity

Finding a bargain is a beautiful wish that everyone has, but in fact it is just a wish. First-hand sources will not sell things cheaply to individual customers. Even if they do, they are leftovers from agents and second-hand dealers...

Many jade shops that often hold clearance sales use chalcedony to impersonate Hetian jade. You can buy a lot of them for a few thousand yuan, which seems to be a good deal, but in fact, you will be ripped off. The most painful realization for a newbie is that most of the bargains he found over the years were due to his brain...

In addition, it is difficult to distinguish the authenticity of jade. Some very fake ones can be seen with the naked eye, such as B+C goods injected with glue, but some are good in nature and have been processed, and these are difficult to tell. They have to be tested with professional instruments, especially in an era when counterfeiting technology is becoming more and more advanced. Even experts who have been in the jade industry for a lifetime can make mistakes.

Don’t trust the seller’s certificate too much. They can sell any fake certificate you want for five yuan a piece. If you are not sure, you can go for a re-inspection and search for the local inspection agency.