What are A, B, and C grade jadeite and how do you distinguish them?

What is ABC jadeite?

In the jade industry, the term "A-grade" is often heard, and many people wonder, doesn't A-grade mean fake? Could it be that this person is selling fake goods? In fact, this is not the case. The A-grade jade mentioned in the jade industry is actually different from the A-grade jade in the general industry. In daily life, A-grade jade usually refers to fake jade, while in the jade industry, A-grade jade refers to natural jade.

In addition to A-grade jadeite, there are also B-grade jadeite and C-grade jadeite. So what are the differences between these three types of jadeite? Let’s take a look. Grade A jade refers to natural jade that has not been processed. This "unprocessed" does not refer to cutting, carving, grinding and polishing, which are necessary procedures for jade processing. This treatment refers to the treatment with chemical agents, such as acid washing, filling with glue, dyeing, etc. Any jade that has undergone these treatments is not A-grade jade.

B-grade jadeite refers to jadeite that has been washed, or in the industry's parlance, "bathed." The "bathed" here certainly does not mean washed with ordinary water, but rather soaked in strong acids and alkalis. B-grade jade is usually made from jade raw materials of relatively poor quality, such as bean-type indigo jade. It is first heated in a strong acid to remove impurities and dirt in the jade. It is then placed in clean water and heated and boiled several times to clean out the strong acid and colored substances in the jade. At this time, the structure of the jade has been destroyed. The next step is to heat it in a strong alkali to make the internal structure of the jade looser. At this time, glue should be filled to fill the interior of the jade, and curing agent should be added to harden the structure of the jade. In this way, the jade will look very good and transparent.

C-grade jadeite refers to dyed jadeite. Generally, dyeing is carried out on the basis of acid washing and filling with glue. Because the internal structure of the jadeite after acid washing is loose, the dye can penetrate into it. If it is A-grade jadeite, direct dyeing cannot penetrate inside, so dyed jadeite is all B+C grade.

How to avoid buying B-grade or C-grade jadeite when buying jadeite?

Look at the color: Usually, the color of BC grade jadeite will be more uniform, while A grade will have distinct layers. When shining a light to look at the internal structure, B grade jadeite will have large plate-like particles, while A grade jadeite will have uniform and fine particles.

Listen to the sound: You can use an agate stick to gently tap the jade and tell whether it is A-grade jade by listening to the sound. Generally speaking, the sound of A-grade jade is crisp and loud, while the sound of B-grade jade is dull and turbid.

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