The Ultimate Guide to Jadeite Quality and Grading

Quality Factor Category / Level Detailed Explanation
Transparency (Diaphaneity) Semi-Transparent to Transparent / Glassy / Glass-variety / Bo Li Zhong Jadeite The highest level; almost perfectly transparent with a glass-like luster. Light passes through completely; Objects or text behind the jade can be seen with absolute clarity.
Translucent / Icy Light passes through, but objects behind the jade appear blurry or indistinct. Translucent and clear, resembling a block of ice. Highly sought after.
Semi-translucent / Glutinous (Sticky) / Nuo Bing Light partially penetrates, and you can clearly see the interior of the jade being "illuminated" or a flashlight beam cutting through a portion of it. However, you cannot outline or see any objects behind it. Semi-translucent with a fine texture similar to cooked rice soup. In the industry, Nuo Bing, is characteristic of premium nephrite.
Sub-translucent / Nuo-variety  Light penetrates only slightly, typically visible only along very thin edges.
Opaque Light cannot penetrate at all. Generally considered lower quality.
Colour Hue Refers to the basic color (e.g., Green, Lavender, Red). Vibrant "Imperial Green" is most valuable.
Saturation The intensity or richness of the color. High saturation without being too dark is ideal.
Tone The lightness or darkness of the color. Evenness of tone is a critical value factor.
Texture Extremely Fine Grained / Glass Variety It features an extremely fine, cryptocrystalline structure. The mineral grains are so microscopic that they cannot be resolved even under high magnification, resulting in a completely seamless and flawless texture.
Fine Grained / Icy Variety Its internal mineral crystals are extremely fine-grained and completely invisible to the naked eye, forming a dense and tightly interlocking structure that perfectly mimics the look of natural, frozen ice.
Medium Grained / Nuo/Sticky Rice Variety / Fine Pea Variety Nuo variety jadeite is characterized by a medium-grained, granular-fibrous texture, which creates a hazy, translucent to sub-translucent appearance resembling sticky rice soup. It is highly valued for its smooth, greasy luster and excellent toughness.
Coarse Grained / Pea Variety Visible crystalline structure; can appear "dry" and less valuable. A granular texture can cause the material to appear dry, as light reflects off the individual crystal faces rather than passing through smoothly.
Cut (Workmanship) Shape Common shapes include Cabochons, Bangles, and Beads. Symmetry is key.
Carving Evaluates the artistry, detail, and how well the carver utilized the stone's natural colors.
Polish A high-quality polish enhances the luster and highlights the stone's texture.
Weight & Size Carat Weight Larger pieces of high-quality jadeite are exponentially rarer and more expensive.
Dimensions For bangles and cabochons, thickness and diameter affect both durability and value.
Nina Na Su
Natural Gems Canada · 专业鉴定师背书

本文由 Nina Na Su(加拿大宝石学家)审阅

加拿大宝石教育鉴定服务中心(Gemological Education & Services of Canada)创办人。

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