What is the difference between jadeite and Xiuyan jade? A must-read guide for jadeite newcomers

The jewelry and jade circle is a very magical circle. There is always some jade that looks very similar to other jade. Take jadeite and Xiuyan jade for example. These two seemingly unrelated jades are somewhat similar in appearance, so sometimes people can’t tell them apart. There are always many novice jade friends who buy Xiuyan jade as jadeite. In fact, there are still many differences between the two. In this issue of "Jade Encyclopedia", let’s continue with the dry goods and talk about the difference between Xiuyan jade and jadeite!

Hardness Difference

Jadeite is a hard jade with a relatively high hardness, and its Mohs hardness can generally reach 7; while Xiuyan jade is a soft jade with a lower Mohs hardness, usually 4.8-5.5. This also means that under the same strength, jadeite is more wear-resistant and Xiuyan jade is easier to wear. The hardness of Xiuyan jade is significantly lower than that of jadeite. Scratching the surface of Xiuyan jade with a sharp object will leave scratches, while jadeite will not be damaged.

Density difference

In terms of density, jadeite is larger than Xiuyan jade. The density of jadeite is approximately 3.33, while the density of Xiuyan jade is usually <3. Therefore, in terms of volume, if the sizes are the same, the weight of jadeite is greater than that of Xiuyan jade. For bracelets of the same size, the jade bracelet feels more firm in the hand!

Production Difference

Of the same volume of Xiuyan jade and jadeite, Xiuyan jade is slightly lighter than jadeite. Xiuyan jade is produced in my country, and its distribution range is quite wide. Xiuyan jade is produced in many places. The annual output is huge, and the mineral resources are relatively abundant. Jade is produced in Myanmar, Japan and other countries. However, as the Myanmar government has increased restrictions on jade mining, the annual output of jade is not high.

Gloss difference

Xiuyan jade has a waxy luster, which is different from the glass luster of jadeite. The luster of jadeite is strong and bold, while the luster of Xiuyan jade is relatively restrained and dark. The difference in gloss leads to great sensory differences in the finished products made from the two. Jadeite has a kind of jewel-like aura, while Xiuyan jade is a little worse!

Xiuyan jade is one of the most commonly used jades to imitate jadeite. The two are extremely similar in appearance and can be very deceptive, especially for novices. Of course, Xiuyan jade itself is also a good jade. I just want to remind everyone not to buy Xiuyan jade at the price of jadeite!

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