How do I go about finding a legit jade ring?
June 26, 2019 9:00 AM Subscribe
I want a jade ring like worn by chow yun fat in the movie God of Gamblers (赌神). Pics here and here. I actually live in China and go to HK regularly, so I feel like this is possible...the issue is fakes. I know that fake jade is extremely rampant, especially here. So not sure what the best way to go about procuring this is!
So based on what I have acquired by osmosis as a Chinese-American from my mother and aunties, and not any kind of actual gem or jewelry knowledge.
There are different kinds of fake jade. There's fake jade that's, just like, colored glass or other things passed off as jade for the spirit of making a quick buck. Then, there are all the different materials that have historically been considered jade, but are not nephrite jade or jadeite jade, which are the usual modern definitions. Then, there's the distinction between nephrite jade and jadeite jade -- jadeite jade is usually considered more desirable for jewelry, because gem-quality jadeite is rarer than gem-quality nephrite jade and somewhat harder, so sometimes, you get nephrite jade passed off as jadeite jade. Finally, there's fake jade that is "proper" jade, but treated to look more desirable than it originally was, either by dying to change the color or impregnating it with resin to give more translucency/fix internal flaws.
You'll have to decide what counts as "fake" for you. Once you've figured that out, you figure out where to buy it. If you don't usually buy jewelry, or don't have a direct connection you trust, and are set on getting an actual jade ring as opposed to something that looks like jade, I'd recommend one of the big Hong Kong department stores and get a certificate. You'll pay a premium, but it's the safest you can get. I'd also make sure to pay with a credit card that will give you your money back if it turns out to be fake. Generally, US credit cards do this, particularly for not-terribly-expensive jewelry; generally, Hong Kong credit cards do not. My mom and aunties will then take something to a trusted jeweler and have the jeweler inspect/test it.
If you have the money, I'd get grade-A jade, meaning that it isn't treated and that it isn't a composite stone. But the real stuff will be pricey, and the good, real stuff eyewateringly so. Even if you want to take a chance and buy outside of a big Hong Kong department store, I'd go and handle some jade to make sure you know what it's like. Real jade has a weight and feel, and there are a bajillion colors.
Final note: jade does not have give and cannot be resized. If you have hands that swell easily, for example, or if you put on weight, a jade ring may not come off easily. For this reason, my aunties tend to wear jade bangles or metal rings with jade stones, because they buy jade as an heirloom to pass on, and when it comes time to dispense the jade to favored daughters and granddaughters and maaaaaaaaaaaaaybe a particularly outstanding daughter in law, an all-jade ring is going to be a *(@#&)(!*&@)!(*& to get over a swollen knuckle.
posted by joyceanmachine at 10:02 AM on June 26, 2019 [41 favorites]
There are different kinds of fake jade. There's fake jade that's, just like, colored glass or other things passed off as jade for the spirit of making a quick buck. Then, there are all the different materials that have historically been considered jade, but are not nephrite jade or jadeite jade, which are the usual modern definitions. Then, there's the distinction between nephrite jade and jadeite jade -- jadeite jade is usually considered more desirable for jewelry, because gem-quality jadeite is rarer than gem-quality nephrite jade and somewhat harder, so sometimes, you get nephrite jade passed off as jadeite jade. Finally, there's fake jade that is "proper" jade, but treated to look more desirable than it originally was, either by dying to change the color or impregnating it with resin to give more translucency/fix internal flaws.
You'll have to decide what counts as "fake" for you. Once you've figured that out, you figure out where to buy it. If you don't usually buy jewelry, or don't have a direct connection you trust, and are set on getting an actual jade ring as opposed to something that looks like jade, I'd recommend one of the big Hong Kong department stores and get a certificate. You'll pay a premium, but it's the safest you can get. I'd also make sure to pay with a credit card that will give you your money back if it turns out to be fake. Generally, US credit cards do this, particularly for not-terribly-expensive jewelry; generally, Hong Kong credit cards do not. My mom and aunties will then take something to a trusted jeweler and have the jeweler inspect/test it.
If you have the money, I'd get grade-A jade, meaning that it isn't treated and that it isn't a composite stone. But the real stuff will be pricey, and the good, real stuff eyewateringly so. Even if you want to take a chance and buy outside of a big Hong Kong department store, I'd go and handle some jade to make sure you know what it's like. Real jade has a weight and feel, and there are a bajillion colors.
Final note: jade does not have give and cannot be resized. If you have hands that swell easily, for example, or if you put on weight, a jade ring may not come off easily. For this reason, my aunties tend to wear jade bangles or metal rings with jade stones, because they buy jade as an heirloom to pass on, and when it comes time to dispense the jade to favored daughters and granddaughters and maaaaaaaaaaaaaybe a particularly outstanding daughter in law, an all-jade ring is going to be a *(@#&)(!*&@)!(*& to get over a swollen knuckle.
posted by joyceanmachine at 10:02 AM on June 26, 2019 [41 favorites]
I don't have specifics on finding a seller, but I would suggest looking for a licensed vendor and as joyceanmachine says, someone who can give you a certificate with what you buy is a good guarantee.
Jade is a hard stone and a fingernail test will not scratch it. It should feel cool in your hand an not heat up quickly. It is also a dense stone and should feel heavy for the size of it.
posted by carrioncomfort at 10:10 AM on June 26, 2019
Jade is a hard stone and a fingernail test will not scratch it. It should feel cool in your hand an not heat up quickly. It is also a dense stone and should feel heavy for the size of it.
posted by carrioncomfort at 10:10 AM on June 26, 2019
Chinese Arts and Crafts has a good reputation for Jade in Hong Kong. However, a friend of mine who is a fine jewellery collector has steered me away from Jade in the past because she said fakes are too common and difficult to spot.
posted by frumiousb at 2:05 PM on June 26, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by frumiousb at 2:05 PM on June 26, 2019 [1 favorite]
We were just on a road trip in BC (Canada) and came across Jade City - jadecity.com. I can confirm it’s a legit company. They have a huge inventory in their store. They mine approx 90% of the world’s supply of jade right in that area. Their online store has rings similar to the one you want, and at a very reasonable price. (I’m not in any way associated with them .. but thought it may be helpful to you to know there is an actual business instead of just a website someone put together).
posted by nelvana at 10:01 AM on June 27, 2019
posted by nelvana at 10:01 AM on June 27, 2019
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I would maybe try an international quora or the social media they have over there and ask around. Maybe in /r/china or /r/jewelry on reddit.
But, I would try to find a reputable jeweler!
posted by bbqturtle at 9:57 AM on June 26, 2019 [1 favorite]