How much jade worth

Moreover, we only know the prices of stones sold at official government gems and jade emporiums. These only account for a small fraction of the total jade produced each year. In addition to all these uncertainties, the quantities, prices and value of the jade sector also fluctuate significantly from year to year. We began by looking at Global Witness' highest estimate: USD 31 billion of total jade produced in At first glance, this estimate might seem comparable to the sector's value in other years too.

This isn't necessarily the case. Myanmar's Central Statistical Office compiles the data on total volume the same data that Global Witness used in their calculations. We can see that marks the lowest quantity produced in about a decade. Next, let's look at how the prices fluctuate. Prices of jade exports climbed steeply in and , but came crashing down in Finally, let's look at the total value of exports to China.

Since we cannot directly see the total value of the whole sector, the next best thing is to see how much of it is officially exported to the largest market. In , the total value of jade exports to China increased tenfold from the previous year, and quickly decreased by a similar amount in the year after.

This goes to show that is a pretty atypical year for the jade sector. Therefore, whatever methods we use to estimate the value of jade produced in that year, we can safely assume that the total value for other years will be significantly lower. With that in mind, we go back to our calculations of the value of the jade sector in But before we dive into the numbers, we need context: what are the types of jade and how is jade officially sold?

Commodities such as gold or oil have prices per unit that are more or less standardized. Each piece of jade, on the other hand, is unique, and putting a price on it is a very complicated and subjective process.

Jade mined in Myanmar is composed of the mineral jadeite. It can be found in stones that vary in size, from pebble-small to boulders taller than a person. Every stone has distinct hues and patterns.

In addition, it is very hard to tell the exact quality of an uncut stone — its internal structure is also a determinant to its quality. Imperial jade is the most valuable and is made into high-end jewelry. Commercial jade is usually made into carvings and bangles and is of medium quality. Utility jade is the lowest grade, and is used for tilings and carvings, as well as cheap jewelry. Note these three categories are not comprehensive; there are many subcategories. For instance, utility jade is classified into A, B, C and D grades.

There is a great deal of variation in quality within imperial jade and commercial as well. Ideally, we want to determine out of the total quantity of jade produced, what percentage of that figure is imperial, commercial and utility jade. Based on interviews with industry leaders, they estimated that the percentage composition of the various types of jade is as follows:. The most expensive color is called Imperial Jade, which exhibits a rich emerald green color. In order to reach the highest value possible it must be as pure as possible with no specks of gray or other colors.

As one of the most expensive gems in the world, it can sometimes be priced at millions of dollars. The second most expensive form of jade is that which exhibits a lavender hue. This color will be more expensive than other types of non-Imperial green jade, such as those with a more blue or yellow tint. In general the more untainted and uninterrupted by impurities your jade is, the more valuable it will be. Though jades that bear streaks and veins of contrasting colors may appear attractive and thus bring in some buyer interest in that regard, they will never stand up to the prices that a more uniform jadeite will attract.

Because of this highly decisive factor in the valuing of this type of stone, some will treat or bleach jade in order to obscure and remove the evidence of discoloration before instilling it with colored polymers; these artificially altered jadeites are not nearly as valuable as their untreated counterparts.

Density is measured by dividing the weight in grams by the volume c. Can you buy the jade for yourself and still have luck? Yes, however the Maori people believe you have more luck if you are given a piece of Jade as a gift. It is however very bad luck to steal a piece of Jade. If the jadeite rough is brown, cracked, odd color veins, the jade carver bleaches it with acid to remove the color.

Then adds color. Yellow jade represents Earth. Black jade represents North. Red jade represents South. The growth in life is never endless. Fu Lou Shou jade color is a pattern cherished by Chinese for centuries.

Color is the most important quality and value indicator of jade. The most valuable jadeites are those of high translucency and rich Cr-green color. Although Chinese nephrite prices received little attention for many decades, since the rise of China's economy in the 's, the original jade has appreciated tremendously. As of , the world auction record for jade is held not by Burmese jadeite, but by Chinese nephrite see Figure Figure More than 2, years ago, Gautama Buddha recognized that much of life involves pain and suffering.

Consequently, few of us here on Earth have been provided with a glimpse of heaven. Instead, we mostly dwell in hell. But for the Chinese, there is a terrestrial bridge between heaven and hell — jade. While gems such as diamond entered Chinese culture relatively recently, the history of jade at the time, nephrite or another translucent material used for carving stretches back thousands of years. In ancient China, nephrite jade was used for tools, weapons, and ornaments Hansford, Jade's antiquity contributes an aura of eternity to this gem.

Confucius praised jade as a symbol of righteousness and knowledge. Ox-shaped xun wine vessel carved from Chinese nephrite on display in Shanghai's Shanghai Museum.

Quianlong Reign AD — Qing Dynasty. Over the past two decades the Chinese have rediscovered their love of nephrite jade, with the white stone from Hetian now fetching near-jadeite prices. Photo: Richard W. The pictograph represents three pieces of jade, pierced and threaded with a string; the dot was added to distinguish it from the pictograph for "ruler" Goette, n. To the Chinese, jade was traditionally defined by its "virtues," namely a compact, fine texture, tremendous toughness and high hardness, smooth and glossy luster, along with high translucency and the ability to take a high polish Wang, But they also ascribe mystical powers to the stone.

Particularly popular is the belief that jade can predict the stages of one's life: If a jade ornament appears more brilliant and transparent, it suggests that there is good fortune ahead; if it becomes dull, bad luck is inevitable. Jadeite is a relatively recent entry to the jade family. While some traditionalists feel that it lacks the rich history of nephrite, nevertheless the "emerald" green color of Imperial jadeite is the standard by which all jades — including nephrite — are judged by most Chinese enthusiasts today.

Although nephrite jade is China's original "Stone of Heaven," fine jadeite, as shown here, is the most sought-after of jades in the Chinese community today. While Chinese nephrite has a waxy luster, that of fine jadeite is almost vitreous.

Photo Richard W. Hughes in Ruili, China. In Hong Kong, jewelry stores are filled almost entirely with jadeite. But if one journeys to mainland China, one can rediscover the ancient Chinese appreciation of jade in the form of nephrite from Xinjiang.

This is a stone that does not display the intense color and glossy luster of its jadeite cousin. Instead, its beauty is more sublime. Chinese nephrite has a creamy texture that coaxes, rather than shouts. Picking up a piece, as you caress it, you will quickly understand why this stone was so revered.

It truly is the stone of heaven. Richard W. The author of several books and over articles, his writings and photographs have appeared in a diverse range of publications, and he has received numerous industry awards.

Co-winner of the Edward J. In , he received the Antonio C. In , Richard was awarded a visiting professorship at Shanghai's Tongji University. Hacking continues: Sweden Nephrite. Jade Today The term jade today is used for two different rocks, jadeite and nephrite. Judging Quality While a number of fanciful terms have been used to describe jadeite, its evaluation is similar to that of other gemstones in that it is based primarily on the "Three Cs" — color, clarity, and cut fashioning.

Base material One of the key concepts in understanding jadeite jade quality is that of the base material in Thai this is termed nua — the 'meat'. Translucency The best jadeite is semi-transparent; opaque jadeite or material with granular cloudy patches typically has the least value.

Texture In jade, texture is intimately related to transparency. Hughes Color se This is the most important factor in the quality of fashioned jadeite.

TABLE 1. Chinese jade nomenclature Based on Ho, Chinese name Meaning Yu Chinese word for jade Ruan yu Nephrite Ying yu "Hard jade" or jadeite Fei-ts'ui feicui "Kingfisher" jadeite Lao keng "Old mine" jadeite — fine texture Jiu keng "Relatively old mine" jadeite — medium texture Xin keng "New mine" jadeite — coarse texture Ying Jadeite type with the highest luster and transparency Guan yin zhong Semi-translucent, even, pale green jadeite Hong wu dong Lesser quality than guan yin zhong, with a pale red mixed with the green Jin si zhong "Golden thread" jadeite: A vivid green color is spread evenly throughout the stone.

This type is quite valuable. Zi er cui High-grade jadeite mined from rivers. Because of its high translucency, it is also known as bing zhong "ice". Lao keng bo li zhong Old-mine "glassy" finer texture, more translucent jadeite see Figure In Imperial green, this type is the most valuable jadeite. Fei yu Red jadeite, named after a red-feathered bird Hong pi "Red skin" jadeite, cut from the red skin of a boulder see Figure 1 Jin fei cui Golden or yellow jadeite Shuangxi Jadeite with both red and green Fu lu shou Jadeite with red, green, and lavender Da si xi Highly translucent jadeite with red, green, lavender, and yellow Wufu linmen Jadeite with red, green, lavender, and yellow, as well as white as the bottom layer In contrast to jadeite, it is the absence of color that is a key factor in determining the value of the nephrite from western China, with "snow white" stones fetching huge prices today.

Courtesy Pala International; photo: Wimon Manorotkul Clarity In terms of clarity, fine jadeite should be free from noticeable or distracting inclusion defects. Fashioning More so than for most gem materials, fashioning plays a critical role in jadeite beauty and value.

Following are a few of the more popular cutting styles of jadeite. Cabochons The finer qualities are usually cut as cabochons. Beads Strands of uniform jadeite beads are in greater demand than those with graduated beads. Bangle Bracelets Bangles are one of the most popular forms of jadeite jewelry, symbolizing unity and eternity.

Huaigu pi The Chinese symbol of eternity, this is a flat disk with a hole in its center, usually mounted as a pendant or brooch. Saddle Rings su an Carved from a single piece of jadeite, these look like a simple jadeite band onto which a cabochon has been directly cut Figure 8.

Double Hoop Earrings lian huan These require a large amount of rough relative to their yield, since they are cut from two pieces of the same quality, each of which must produce two hoops. Carvings For the most part, the jadeite used in carvings is of lower quality than that used for other cutting styles, but nevertheless there are some spectacular carved jadeite pendants and objets d'art.

Recut Recovery Potential As with many other types of gems, the value of poorly cut or damaged pieces is generally based on their recut potential. Prices Next to certain rare colors of diamond such as blue, pink and red , jade is the world's most expensive gem, with prices far above even ruby and sapphire. Purchased by the Cartier Collection.