Top 10 Things to Remember before Buying a Jadeite Bracelet

How to tell the difference between jadeite and nephrite.

You may have heard of nephrite, but what exactly is the difference between jadeite and nephrite? How do you know if it’s jadeite or nephrite? We’ll break down some of the key differences between these two gemstones.

Jadeite vs Nephrite: The Basics

Jadeite and nephrite are both forms of the mineral called actinolite (sometimes known as “actinolitic hornblende”). They’re both hard stones with a Mohs hardness of about 6-7. The main difference between them is that jadeite has a higher potassium content than does nephrite. Nephrites tend to have more iron in their formula as well; this gives them a brownish gray coloration, whereas jadeites usually tend toward green or blue-green hues.

Don’t buy just because it’s cheap.

Price is not always the best indicator of quality, and in fact, you can get a good deal if you buy at the right time. Just keep in mind that price often reflects demand—there may be no reason why one piece of jadeite costs $100 and another could cost $1,000 except for how many people are willing to pay for them. Also keep in mind that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

If you’re worried about paying too much for a piece of jadeite jewelry or other gemstone jewelry because you’ve never bought it before and don’t know what to expect from different kinds of gems (and especially if this is your first time), start by researching what the market looks like right now so that when prices drop below their usual level due to seasonal demand changes or whatever else might cause them fluctuate throughout time (like say an increase in popularity), then those fluctuations will still leave plenty room within which most pieces can still fall reasonably within your budget range without having been overpriced during their peak season when everyone wanted them most but couldn’t afford as much either way due mainly because they were being offered such high prices at any given point during such times as well even though now there are fewer options available unless someone happens upon some rarer pieces later on down roadways after searching through antique stores or flea markets instead where maybe one day someone might discover something amazing hidden behind dusty shelves full of junk!

The history of buying jadeite in China.

Many people are surprised to learn that jadeite is not actually a type of stone, but rather a mineral. In other words, it is the crystalline form that occurs when olivine and serpentine are subjected to high pressure and temperature. The resulting material is usually white or gray with green streaks running through it.

Jadeite was first discovered in 1799 by French mineralogist Jean-Baptiste Louis Claude Théodore de Saussure during an expedition to Sichuan Province in China (formerly known as Yunnan). He described the substance as having “a brilliant green color similar to that of emerald” which came from the Chinese word for “green” (青). The name jadeitite comes from this word because its chemical formula matches that of jadeite: A(SiO4)5(Fe+Mg)8(OH)2.

The importance of color.

The color of your jadeite is an important consideration when buying a bracelet. Jadeite comes in a wide range of tones, so it’s not just about the shade of green. The colors can range from bright emerald green to deep forest hues and even pale jade that looks like it’s been bleached by sunlight.

What colors are considered best?

The most highly valued jadeite will have vibrant, saturated shades of green with occasional flecks of white or black mixed in – like a piece of fruit with bits of skin still attached to it! Colors like these come from Myanmar (Burma) and other Southeast Asian countries that produce high-quality gems.

Caring for your jadeite jewelry.

Caring for your jadeite jewelry is easy and important. Here are some simple tips to keep your jadeite looking its best:

Avoid contact with water, as it can cause your bracelet or ring to turn cloudy. Don’t wear it in the shower or while swimming, and don’t submerge in water for long periods of time either!
Don’t wear it while exercising or doing other strenuous activities that may cause sweating, which could cause damage to the stone. Jadeite is fragile, so avoid wearing while sleeping or when you’re going out on a run; just remove before these activities start!
Store your jadeite jewelry in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight so that no moisture will get into the stone (which can cause it to become cloudy or opaque). A drawer is fine if you have one available—just make sure there’s no risk of anything being spilled on top of them when opening up later!

Avoid large or oddly shaped pieces.

The best way to wear jadeite is in smaller pieces, as larger pieces can be uncomfortable. If you choose a medium-sized pendant or bracelet, it will be easy to wear and you’ll always have something interesting on your wrist! As a general rule of thumb: if it’s bigger than your palm and wider than an inch in diameter then its probably too big for daily use. However there are exceptions; if you’re buying this as a gift for someone special then why not go for something big?

Check for cracks and fractures in the stone.

You should make sure that the stone is free of cracks or fractures. This can be difficult to do if you’re purchasing a bracelet online, but if you are buying from an individual seller and can see photos of it before purchase, look closely for cracks and fractures in the stone.

If there is any damage to the jadeite stone—whether it’s a small chip or a large crack—it will likely devalue your piece of jewelry tremendously.

Make sure it’s been tested by a reputable company.

The best way to know what kind of jadeite you have is to have it tested by a reputable company. There are a few ways to do this, including:

Gemstone tester
Refractometer
Polariscope (which measures the refractive index)
Microscope and microscope slides (for looking at inclusions)
Hydrostatic balance (for measuring density).

Be careful when buying used jadeite bracelets or rings.

If you are thinking about buying a used jadeite bracelet or ring, think again.
Oftentimes, people will buy a piece at an estate sale and not know what they are getting into.
The bracelet could be treated with chemicals to make it look better than it is and you would never know.
It could also have been repaired by someone who does not know how to fix these items and the repair job looks like crap (too many colors).
Jadeite can be dyed easily so the color may not match at all or it might even look different under different lighting conditions.

What kind of warranty is being offered? Lesser-known stones are sold without warranty, while you can expect a lifetime warranty on diamonds and other precious gems like emeralds, rubies, sapphires, aquamarines and topaz.

What kind of warranty is being offered? Lesser-known stones are sold without warranty, while you can expect a lifetime warranty on diamonds and other precious gems like emeralds, rubies, sapphires, aquamarines and topaz.
Is there any insurance offered against theft or loss? It’s important to know what kind of protection you have in case your jewelry gets stolen or lost.
Do you get the title when buying from an individual seller? When buying from an individual seller (rather than a store), make sure that the seller has good standing with eBay so there won’t be any issues in getting your money back if something goes wrong with your purchase.

Jadeite is far from a perfect gemstone, but if you know how to care for it properly then it could be the ideal piece of jewelry for your collection!

So you have decided to buy a jadeite bracelet. Before you do, there are a few things that should be on your mind.

Check for cracks and fractures in the stone. Jadeite is far from a perfect gemstone, but if you know how to care for it properly then it could be the ideal piece of jewelry for your collection!
Make sure it’s been tested by a reputable company. If you’re buying online, look into the company’s credentials and background—you don’t want to spend good money on something fake!