NOT A JADE GEMSTONE

Click on the topic of interest Not Jade         Wrong Dating         Things to look for Not Jade: The object is made from another type of stone other than Nephrite Jade or Jadeite. Usually these fake Jades look alikes are made of a very soft soap stone or other types of soft materials that are very inexpensive and very easy to work unlike Jade that is expensive and hard to work even with modern tools.  Examples Of  Fake Jades Soapstone Shoushan stone Serpentine Shoushan stone The term “fake” indicates that the Object is not real jade nephrite. There are many different types of fake  materials and stones used in place of jade that are reviewed below: Soapstone  is the most common substitute for jade. It is so soft that it can be easily scratched with a fingernail and so fragile very few genuine antique carvings can be found that exist of this material. Soapstone is dyed with colors that give the dye the physical appearance of Jade and enhance the objects appearance. A simple indication of dyed Soapstone is the symmetrical distribution of coloration. Also, a very simple test to detect Soapstone is the Scratch test. Take a sharp metal object and attempt to scratch the surface of the object (do this in an indiscrete area). If it scratches then the stone is soft and not jade. Test in different areas because ancient jade with surface calcification can scratch due to its softness. ShouShan stone (Ebay dealers call it Jade) is quarried from Shoushan, a village in the mountains 40 kilometers north of Fuse city proper. Shoushan stone was formed in the intervals of volcanic eruptions tens of millions of years ago with a make up of lava and the minerals around it, which were gradually reconstituted into a colored crystalline ore. It does not compare favorably with Jade, as it does not possess the refractory or density properties of Nephrite or Jadeite. Shoushan stone does exceed jade in range of color but it is a softer stone (almost like soapstone) and it not as prized as jade. This stone is not considered to be a variety of jade. If the object is very ornately carved with deep 3-D shape then it maybe a Shoushan Stone carving. Serpentine (Magnesium Iron Silicate Hydroxide) is often used as a substitute for jade. Serpentine is much harder than soapstone but it can be scratched easily steel blade or sharp object, unlike jade. Serpentine is a general name used to classify several types of polymorphic stones. Serpentine is usually found in veins of many metamorphic weathered igneous rocks, like the out crops of granite. Throughout Chinese history Serpentine has been used as a substitute for jade and can be difficult to distinguish from jade. A simple density check can easily detect the difference between Jade and Serpentine. Interesting is the fact that some very early Neolithic Cultures carved Serpentine objects because of the lack of jade gemstones to work. Marble  is a most common substitute for jade. Marble was used in ancient times for tomb objects but seldom for ritual objects.  It is a very soft stone that it can be easily scratched with a fingernail and so fragile very few genuine antique carvings can be found that exist of this material.  A simple test for hardness can determine if it is Marble or Jade nephrite.  Agate (Silica SiO2 and Soda Na2O) is often used as a jade substitute. The classification of Agate is varied in color and in variety. The term agate denotes much harder stones that are polished with a glass finish and appear like a fine hard-grained jade. Agate stones do not have the density of Nephrite jade nor the refraction properties. Perhaps the best test to difference between the two is a density test. Jade Experts can usually detect agate substitutes with ease because the density of agate is much less dense than jade. Glass (Silica SiO2 and Soda Na2O) often called Beijing or Peking glass has been used as a substitute for jade since the Ming Dynasty. Often objects that appear to be made of jade and have a very high polish and luster are Peking glass. The more popular colors are the deep greens (imperial green) and Mutton Fat White. The density of glass is much less dense than jade and can usually be detected by testing its specific gravity. Jade and Nephrite Properties Material Refractive Index Specific Gravity Hardness Nephrite 1.610 2.90 ~ 3.02 5.8 ~ 6.5 Jadeite 1.665 3.33 6.2 ~ 6.7 Soapstone 1.539 ~ 1.589 2.2 ~ 2.8 1 ~ 1.5      Marble 1.21 ~ 1.40 2.2 ~ 2.99 1 ~ 1.5 Serpentine 1.555 2.2 ~ 2.6 3 ~ 4.5 Peking Glass   1.0 4.5 ~5.0 Summary: As you may note there are many Jade Nephrite look alike. Always seek a reputable jade expert who can assist you in acquiring genuine ancient jades. My 30-years of study and collecting ancient Jade Artifacts allows me to share with you  my passion, my knowledge, and my collection of rare jade gemstones from the ancient world of China. -ian  (Fung Gen Qua)