What Is Jade? Understanding Jadeite and Nephrite
Jade is one of the world’s most culturally significant and commercially valuable gemstone materials — particularly in Chinese, East Asian, and Mesoamerican traditions. However, “jade” is not a single mineral: it is a trade name applied to two distinct mineral species with different compositions, properties, and market values. The jade market, estimated at billions of dollars annually, is also one of the world’s most heavily adulterated gemstone markets, with widespread use of chemical treatments that are routinely undisclosed.
Understanding which type of jade you are dealing with, and whether it has been treated, is the central challenge jade testing laboratories are equipped to resolve.
| Property | Jadeite | Nephrite |
| Mineral family | Pyroxene group (NaAlSi₂O₆) | Amphibole group (calcium-magnesium-iron silicate) |
| Mohs hardness | 6.5–7 | 6–6.5 (but extremely tough due to interlocked fibrous structure) |
| Specific gravity | 3.24–3.43 g/cm³ | 2.90–3.03 g/cm³ |
| Refractive index | 1.654–1.667 (spot reading ~1.66 on refractometer) | 1.600–1.641 (spot reading ~1.62) |
| Colors | Green (including vivid Imperial green), lavender, white, yellow, black, orange-red (Fei Cui red); wide range | White, pale green to dark spinach-green, gray, black, cream (‘mutton fat’ white most prized for nephrite) |
| Texture / structure | Interlocking granular crystals; more translucent than nephrite; ‘fly-speck’ inclusions visible under magnification | Dense, fibrous/felted interlocking crystals; extremely tough (resists shattering better than most stones); typically more opaque |
| Rarity and value | Rarer; more commercially valuable; top Imperial Grade pieces among the world’s most expensive gemstones | More abundant; generally lower price per carat; highly valued culturally in New Zealand (pounamu) and China |
| Primary sources | Texture/structure | British Columbia (Canada); Xinjiang and Hetian (China); New Zealand (pounamu); Siberian Russia; Taiwan |
| Subject to Type A/B/C grading? | YES — grading system was developed specifically for jadeite; treatment is widespread and commercially significant | Rarely treated (less commercially valuable; not worth the treatment cost); nephrite uses AAA/AA/A/B+ quality terms |
Imperial Jade: The World’s Most Valuable Jade
At the pinnacle of the jadeite market sits Imperial Grade jadeite — known in Chinese as Feicui (翡翠). Imperial jade is defined by the combination of vivid emerald-green color (caused by trace chromium), high translucency approaching semi-transparency, and fine, even texture with no visible inclusions or fractures. All three qualities must be present simultaneously. Even a slight deviation in any of these characteristics drops a stone from Imperial to a lower grade and dramatically reduces its value.
The commercial significance of Imperial jade cannot be overstated. Fine Imperial jadeite commands prices of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars per carat for exceptional pieces, and historically important pieces have sold for tens of millions of dollars at auction — the 27-bead Hutton-Mdivani Cartier necklace sold for $27.4 million at Sotheby’s in 2014. The combination of extreme rarity, cultural significance, and concentrated demand from Chinese and East Asian buyers has made Imperial Grade jadeite one of the world’s most commercially intense gemstone categories.
Almost all gem-quality Imperial jadeite originates from a small region in Hpakant, Kachin State, Myanmar — a mining area with enormous political and environmental controversy. The geographic specificity of Myanmar as an origin source is itself a value indicator: Myanmar-origin Imperial jadeite commands a premium over material from other sources. LA-ICP-MS (laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) trace element fingerprinting is now routinely used by major gemological laboratories to confirm Myanmar vs. other geographic origins.
The Type A/B/C Jade Treatment Grading System: The Most Important Commercial Classification
The single most important concept in commercial jade evaluation is the Type A/B/C treatment classification system. Originally developed by the Hong Kong jade trade and codified by the Hong Kong Jade & Stone Laboratory, this system describes the treatment status of jadeite — the degree to which it has been chemically altered from its natural state. In the jade market, any treatment other than surface wax polishing is considered unnatural and dramatically reduces commercial value. Understanding this system is essential for any buyer, seller, or laboratory evaluating jadeite.
Type A Jade — Natural, Untreated (Highest Value)
Type A jade is natural jadeite that has received no chemical treatment. The only permitted process is traditional wax polishing (applying a thin layer of colorless carnauba or paraffin wax to the polished surface) — a practice considered part of normal finishing, not treatment. The color is entirely natural, the internal structure is intact, and there is no impregnation of any foreign substance. Type A jade is the only category that commands full market value for gem-quality material.
Type B Jade — Bleached and Polymer-Impregnated (Significantly Reduced Value)
Type B jade has been chemically bleached with strong acids (typically hydrochloric or oxalic acid) to remove brown or gray staining from iron oxide and organic material within the stone, then impregnated with colorless polymer or epoxy resin to fill the now-weakened grain boundaries and improve translucency and luster. The bleaching improves the stone’s color and removes brownish tints, while the resin fill restores structural integrity and improves the optical appearance. Visually, Type B jade can appear superior to Type A material and is essentially impossible to distinguish from Type A by visual examination alone — professional laboratory testing with FTIR is required.
Consumer risks of Type B jade: (1) Residual acid burns — inadequately rinsed Type B jade pieces have caused skin irritation and burns in some reported cases from residual bleaching acid remaining in grain boundary pores; (2) Polymer deterioration — the resin impregnant yellows, cracks, and deteriorates over years of wear, sunlight, and chemical exposure (perfume, hand cream, sweat), progressively degrading the stone’s appearance in ways that cannot be repaired; (3) Structural damage — the bleaching process damages the crystal structure, making Type B jade more brittle than untreated material.
Type C Jade — Dyed (Minimal Value)
Type C jade has been dyed to improve or alter its color, most commonly to introduce or intensify green, lavender, or red color. Dyeing involves impregnating the stone with colorants, typically organic dyes, through fractures, pores, and grain boundaries. The color enhancement is unstable over time and can fade, bleed, or change with heat, chemical exposure, or UV light. Type C jade has minimal commercial value and is considered deceptive unless clearly disclosed.
Type B+C Jade — Combined Treatment
Type B+C jade has been both bleached/polymer-impregnated (Type B treatment) AND dyed (Type C treatment). This combination produces the most dramatically altered material, which may visually resemble high-quality natural jade but is worth a fraction of its apparent value. FTIR testing detects the polymer, while UV-Vis spectroscopy and chemical spot tests detect the dye.
IMPORTANT: In the jade trade, Type A/B/C designations are treatment status descriptions, NOT quality grades. Type A does not mean top quality — it means untreated. A piece of Type A jade can still be low quality if its color, texture, or clarity are poor. The distinction matters: a low-quality Type A piece may be worth less than a high-appearance Type B piece aesthetically, but the Type A designation certifies natural integrity.
Laboratory Methods for Jade Testing
1. FTIR Spectroscopy — Primary Tool for Type B Detection
FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectroscopy is the primary laboratory tool for detecting polymer impregnation in Type B jade. Natural jadeite produces a characteristic FTIR absorption profile related to its silicate structure (Si-O stretching and bending modes). The polymer/epoxy resin introduced in Type B treatment produces additional diagnostic absorption bands not present in natural jade, particularly C-H stretching peaks at approximately 2856, 2873, 2928, and 2958 cm⁻¹. These peaks are absent in Type A jade. Even small amounts of polymer can be detected reliably by FTIR, making it the most trusted laboratory method for Type A vs. Type B discrimination.
FTIR is also used to detect wax impregnation, differentiate jadeite from nephrite by their distinct silicate absorption profiles, and identify polymer-impregnated aventurine quartz or other common jade imitations. Testing is typically performed on the polished stone surface using ATR (Attenuated Total Reflectance) accessories or on thin sections.
2. Raman Spectroscopy — Fast, Definitive Mineral Identification
Raman spectroscopy provides fast, non-destructive, definitive identification of jade mineral species. Jadeite and nephrite have unambiguously different Raman fingerprints: jadeite shows a very strong, sharp characteristic peak near 700 cm⁻¹ (symmetric Si-O-Si stretching), with a doublet near 1040 cm⁻¹ / 990 cm⁻¹ and a strong band near 375 cm⁻¹. Nephrite shows a distinctly different spectral profile. This allows instant species identification without any sample preparation. Raman also differentiates jadeite from its close relative omphacite (a jadeite-diopside pyroxene) by the precise position of the 700 cm⁻¹ peak — it shifts toward 680 cm⁻¹ as omphacite content increases.
For Type B jade detection, polymer resin in impregnated material produces broad Raman peaks near 3000 cm⁻¹ and 1610 cm⁻¹ — regions where untreated Type A jadeite shows essentially no peaks above ~1100 cm⁻¹. Raman is faster than FTIR for initial screening and requires no sample contact, but is complementary — FTIR provides more reliable polymer detection, while Raman excels at definitive species identification.
3. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) — Definitive Mineralogical Phase Identification
X-ray diffraction (XRD) is considered the most definitive method for mineralogical phase identification of jade. By measuring the characteristic diffraction pattern of the crystalline material, XRD produces an unambiguous mineralogical fingerprint that confirms whether a sample is jadeite, nephrite, omphacite, or any other mineral phase. Oxford University’s jade certification program, for example, uses XRD as the primary mineralogical confirmation tool alongside SEM and FTIR. Modern area detector XRD instruments can analyze cabochon and aggregate jade pieces directly without requiring destructive sample preparation, making this method increasingly accessible for gemological applications.
4. Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) — Elemental Analysis
EDXRF provides rapid, non-destructive elemental analysis of jade’s composition, confirming the presence of the characteristic elements of jadeite (sodium, aluminum, silicon) vs. nephrite (calcium, magnesium, iron, silicon). XRF is used by GIA laboratories as part of the standard analytical workflow for colored stone testing. It also assists in detecting heavy metal-based dyes (chromium, iron, copper) and in distinguishing jade from glass or ceramic imitations by their fundamentally different elemental profiles.
5. LA-ICP-MS — Geographic Origin Determination
Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is used by leading gemological laboratories for geographic origin determination of jadeite. By measuring trace element concentrations at parts-per-billion levels from a minimally destructive laser ablation pit (~50 μm diameter), LA-ICP-MS creates a detailed geochemical fingerprint that can be compared against databases of known-origin samples to assign or confirm a Myanmar, Guatemalan, or other origin attribution. Myanmar-origin Imperial jadeite commands significant commercial premiums, making origin determination a commercially important service.
6. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) — Evidence of Acid Etching
SEM examination at high magnification reveals the crystal grain boundary structure of jade. In Type B jade, the bleaching process with strong acid creates characteristic inter-granular channels and etch pitting visible in the grain boundary zones — physical evidence of chemical treatment that has damaged the crystalline interlocking structure. These features are diagnostic of acid bleaching and are most clearly visualized by SEM when FTIR or Raman spectroscopy results are borderline, or the polymer content is low. Oxford’s jade testing program uses SEM alongside XRD and FTIR for comprehensive Type B detection.
7. Refractometer Testing — RI Measurement
Spot refractive index measurement on a standard gemological refractometer gives readings of approximately 1.66 for jadeite and 1.62 for nephrite, providing a rapid preliminary distinction between the two species. The refractometer also distinguishes jade from common simulants: glass (RI 1.50–1.70 but single isotropic reading, no aggregate spot), aventurine quartz (RI 1.544–1.553), green grossular garnet (RI 1.73–1.74), and others. Treatment does not significantly alter the refractive index, so this test does not distinguish Type A from Type B.
8. Specific Gravity (Density) Testing
Hydrostatic (water displacement) specific gravity testing gives definitive density values: jadeite 3.24–3.43 g/cm³ vs. nephrite 2.90–3.03 g/cm³. Both ranges are above common simulants like aventurine quartz (SG 2.65), green glass (SG 2.3–4.5 depending on type), and serpentine (SG 2.5–2.6). Polymer impregnation in Type B jade slightly lowers the specific gravity compared to untreated material of the same composition, but the change is small and not reliably diagnostic on its own.
9. UV Fluorescence — A Supplementary Indicator, Not a Definitive Test
UV fluorescence is a useful supplementary screening tool, not a standalone diagnostic test. Under long-wave UV (LWUV), the polymer resin in Type B jade typically produces a chalky blue-white fluorescence — a response that natural Type A jadeite generally does not exhibit. Under short-wave UV (SWUV), Type A jadeite may show inert to weak green/white fluorescence. The claim that natural jade is reliably ‘inert’ under UV is an oversimplification — natural jadeite’s fluorescence response varies depending on chromophore content, trace elements, and whether wax has been applied. UV fluorescence examination should always be combined with FTIR or Raman analysis for definitive treatment detection. UV results alone are insufficient for certification.
10. Microscopic Examination — Direct Visual Evidence
Examination under a gemological microscope (10x–50x) reveals important diagnostic features: the characteristic ‘fly-speck’ pattern of chromite inclusions along grain boundaries in natural jadeite; the fibrous, felted texture of nephrite vs. the interlocking granular texture of jadeite; color distribution patterns (dye in Type C jade concentrates along fractures and grain boundaries with an unnatural network pattern, unlike the evenly distributed or gradational natural color of Type A); surface features including wax, resin pooling, and any signs of coating or filling; and inclusions or features inconsistent with natural mineral growth. For coated jade — an increasingly common treatment using surface polymer coatings — chipping of the coating layer and subsurface color concentration visible under magnification are diagnostic.
Jade Certification: What a Certificate Documents
A jade certificate from an accredited gemological laboratory is the essential commercial document confirming a stone’s identity, treatment status, and key properties. Standard jade certification report:
- Species identification: Jadeite or nephrite (confirmed by FTIR, Raman, or XRD).
- Treatment status: Whether the stone is Type A (natural), Type B (bleached and polymer-impregnated), Type C (dyed), Type B+C (both), or has received surface coating. This is the single most commercially significant statement in the certificate.
- Color: Description of color, whether natural or enhanced, intensity, distribution, and hue.
- Transparency/texture: Grade descriptions (e.g., highly translucent, semi-transparent, opaque) and texture assessment.
- Physical properties: Refractive index and specific gravity readings confirming mineralogical identity.
- Geographic origin (premium service): Available from major labs (GIA, SSEF, Gübelin) — confirms Myanmar, Guatemala, or other origin by LA-ICP-MS. Commands price premiums and is increasingly required for high-value pieces in the Chinese auction market.
- Dimensions and weight: Documented for piece identification and insurance purposes.
Recognized Jade Certification Laboratories
Several laboratories are recognized globally for reliable jade testing and certification, each using combinations of the analytical methods described above:
- Gemological Institute of America (GIA): gia.edu — Uses FTIR, Raman, UV-Vis-NIR, EDXRF, and LA-ICP-MS. Reports cover identification, treatment detection, and geographic origin for premium submissions. GIA jade reports range from approximately $85 to $1,100, depending on stone size and services requested.
- Hong Kong Jade & Stone Laboratory: jadeitelaboratory.com.hk — Specialist jade laboratory; widely recognized in the Chinese jade market; the lab that codified the A/B/C classification system definitions used by the trade.
- Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF): ssef.ch — European authority on colored stone testing, including jade; uses FTIR, Raman, XRD, and LA-ICP-MS for comprehensive analysis.
- Gübelin Gem Lab: Swiss laboratory with high standing in the luxury gem market; provides origin determination for high-value jadeite.
Geographic Origin of Jade: What It Tells You
Jadeite sources
Myanmar (Burma) — specifically the Hpakant mining area in Kachin State — is the world’s dominant source of gem-quality jadeite. The Imperial green jadeite from Hpakant is considered the finest in the world and drives the market price premium for Myanmar-origin material. Guatemala is the only other significant jadeite source, producing material historically important to Mesoamerican cultures but generally of lower gem quality than Myanmar material. Small quantities of jadeite are found in Russia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Italy, and the USA, but these rarely produce gem-quality material.
Nephrite sources
British Columbia, Canada — particularly the Dease Lake and Cassiar regions — produces high-quality nephrite and is now one of the world’s largest commercial nephrite exporters, primarily to the Chinese market. New Zealand nephrite (pounamu or greenstone) holds deep cultural significance to the Māori people and is protected under New Zealand law — only Māori can own and sell pounamu in its unworked form. Xinjiang and Hetian (Hotan), China, produce the “mutton fat” white nephrite, most prized in traditional Chinese jade culture. Siberian Russia produces nephrite with a distinctive deep spinach-green color.
Common Jade Imitations and How Testing Distinguishes Them
| Simulant | How it resembles jade | Distinguishing property | Key tests |
| Serpentine (‘New jade’) | Green color, similar texture to nephrite | SG 2.5–2.6 (lower than nephrite); softer (Mohs 3–4) | SG test; scratch test; Raman/FTIR show serpentine mineral peaks |
| Aventurine quartz | Green sparkly appearance marketed as ‘Indian jade’ | RI 1.544–1.553; SG 2.65; distinctive aventurescence | Refractometer; Raman (quartz peaks at 464 cm⁻¹) |
| Green sparkly appearance marketed as ‘Indian jade.’ | Can mimic jadeite color with treatment | RI 1.544; different Raman spectrum | Raman (quartz peak 464 cm⁻¹); FTIR |
| Green glass | Color, translucency, can be carved convincingly | Single isotropic RI reading; SG 2.3–4.5; swirl inclusions; no grain structure | Refractometer (isotropic); microscopy; thermal conductivity |
| Dyed quartzite/quartz | Vivid green; sometimes marketed as jade | RI 1.73–1.74 (much higher); SG 3.5+; isotropic | Refractometer; Raman; EDXRF (calcium, aluminum, silicon profile) |
| Malaysian jade (dyed quartz/chalcedony) | Grossular garnet (Tsavorite/hydrogrossular) | RI 1.53–1.54; SG 2.61–2.65; chalcedony structure | FTIR (dye bands); Raman; refractometer |
Challenges in Jade Testing
- Type B detection in well-made pieces: High-quality Type B treatment with minimal polymer can be challenging to detect by visual examination or UV fluorescence alone. Advanced treatment producers have refined techniques to minimize the FTIR polymer signal. GIA and other major labs use FTIR with full spectral analysis rather than isolated peaks to catch subtle treatments.
- New treatment types: Surface coating (applying a thin polymer film to the surface rather than impregnating through the bulk) has emerged as a newer treatment. It can be detected by FTIR, Raman, and microscopic examination (coating chips at edges; subsurface color concentration), but requires careful examination. Coated jadeite typically shows C-H stretching peaks near 2856, 2928, and 2958 cm⁻¹ in FTIR.
- Jadeite-omphacite distinction: High-quality gem jade is often not pure jadeite but a jadeite-omphacite solid solution. GIA’s nomenclature requires ≥50% jadeite molecule for “jadeite jade” designation. Raman spectroscopy resolves the 680–700 cm⁻¹ peak position to quantify the jadeite/omphacite ratio.
- Quality variability within one stone: Jade is an aggregate rock, not a single crystal, and color, texture, and transparency can vary significantly within a single piece. Laboratories assess representative areas.
Finding Accredited Jade Testing Laboratories
Jade testing at the level required for commercial certification requires a laboratory equipped with FTIR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, a calibrated refractometer, and ideally access to XRD and UV-Vis-NIR capabilities. Geographic origin determination by LA-ICP-MS is offered by a smaller number of specialized laboratories. For formal certification of high-value pieces, GIA, SSEF, Gübelin, or the Hong Kong Jade & Stone Laboratory are the internationally recognized authorities.
ContractLaboratory.com connects jade traders, jewelers, collectors, customs agencies, and auction houses with accredited materials evaluation and testing laboratories and chemistry and compound analysis specialists for jade testing, gemstone authentication, and mineral identification. See also our guide to laboratory diamond testing and FTIR spectroscopy testing for related analytical services.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jade Testing
Type A jade is natural, untreated jadeite — the only treatment permitted is surface wax polishing, which is considered part of normal finishing and does not alter the internal structure. Type A commands full market value. Type B jade has been chemically bleached with strong acid to remove staining, then impregnated with colorless polymer resin to restore appearance. The crystal structure is damaged, and the resin deteriorates over time. Type C jade has been dyed with colorants to introduce or improve color. Type B+C combines both treatments. Types A/B/C are treatment status descriptions, not quality grades — Type A simply means untreated and does not guarantee high quality.
Professional jade testing uses FTIR spectroscopy (the most reliable tool for polymer impregnation detection in Type B jade), Raman spectroscopy (for definitive mineral species identification — jadeite peak at ~700 cm⁻¹ is unambiguous), refractometer measurement (jadeite RI ~1.66; nephrite RI ~1.62; simulants have different readings), specific gravity testing (jadeite 3.24–3.43 g/cm³; nephrite 2.90–3.03 g/cm³), and microscopic examination. Simple field tests like scratch testing, coolness to touch, and visual inspection can suggest direction but are not reliable authentication tools. Glass imitations feel cool but have isotropic optical properties distinguishable on a refractometer; serpentine and quartzite imitations have lower specific gravity and characteristic Raman spectra.
Imperial jade is the highest-grade jadeite, characterized by three simultaneous qualities: vivid emerald-green color (caused by trace chromium), high translucency approaching semi-transparency, and fine, even texture with no visible inclusions or fractures. All three must be present together. Even one substandard characteristic drops the stone from Imperial grade. Fine Imperial jadeite is among the world’s most valuable gemstone materials — exceptional pieces command prices of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars per carat, and important historical pieces have sold at auction for tens of millions of dollars. Nearly all Imperial Grade jadeite comes from a small mining area in Hpakant, Kachin State, Myanmar.
Jadeite and nephrite are two completely different minerals that share the ‘jade’ trade name. Jadeite (NaAlSi₂O₆) is a pyroxene mineral with a hardness of 6.5–7 (Mohs) and specific gravity of 3.24–3.43 g/cm³. It is rarer, more commercially valuable, and produces the vivid greens and lavenders most associated with fine jade. Nephrite is an amphibole mineral (calcium-magnesium-iron silicate) with a hardness of 6–6.5 and specific gravity 2.90–3.03 g/cm³. It is more common, generally less expensive, and has a denser fibrous structure that makes it extremely tough despite slightly lower hardness. Nephrite rarely receives Type B/C treatment because its lower value makes the treatment economically pointless. They can be distinguished conclusively by Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, or refractometer and specific gravity measurements.
FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) is the primary tool for detecting polymer impregnation in Type B jade — the treatment most frequently used to deceive buyers. The polymer resin introduced in Type B treatment produces characteristic C-H stretching absorption bands at approximately 2856, 2873, 2928, and 2958 cm⁻¹ in the mid-infrared region. These peaks are absent in natural Type A jadeite and are clearly diagnostic of polymer presence. Even small amounts of resin are reliably detected by FTIR. Visual examination and UV fluorescence, while useful supplementary indicators, cannot provide the same definitive confirmation. Type B jade is specifically designed to pass visual inspection and can even pass UV examination in some cases. Laboratory FTIR analysis is the standard of proof in the jade trade.
Type B jade has two primary consumer safety concerns. First, inadequately rinsed pieces may retain residual acid from the bleaching process — this residual acid can cause skin irritation or chemical burns on sensitive skin with prolonged contact, particularly with perspiration-moistened skin. Second, the polymer/epoxy resin impregnant is not permanent — it deteriorates over time with exposure to sunlight, heat, and chemicals (perfume, hand cream, cleaning agents), causing the resin to yellow, crack, and become brittle. This progressively degrades the stone’s translucency and luster in ways that cannot be reversed. Buyers of Type B jade jewelry should be fully informed of the treatment and its long-term implications for durability and appearance.
Geographic origin determination for jadeite uses LA-ICP-MS (laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) to measure trace element concentrations — particularly rare earth elements and specific transition metals — at the parts-per-billion level. The resulting geochemical fingerprint is compared against reference databases of samples from known origins to assign or confirm a Myanmar, Guatemala, or other origin attribution. Origin matters commercially because Myanmar-origin Imperial jadeite commands significant market premiums — Chinese buyers in particular place high value on Myanmar provenance. It also has ethical sourcing implications, given the political and environmental controversy surrounding Hpakant mining operations. Major laboratories offering origin determination services include GIA, SSEF, and Gübelin.
UV fluorescence examination under a long-wave UV lamp is a useful, quick screening tool, but is not sufficient for reliable jade authentication or Type A/B/C determination. Type B jade (polymer-impregnated) typically shows chalky blue-white fluorescence under LWUV due to the resin, which is helpful as an indicator. However, natural Type A jadeite is not reliably ‘inert’ under UV — its response varies depending on trace element content, surface wax, and other factors. A piece that shows UV fluorescence is suspicious and should be sent for FTIR testing, but a piece that shows no UV fluorescence is not thereby confirmed as Type A. For definitive treatment detection, laboratory FTIR analysis is required.
Conclusion
Jade testing and certification sit at the intersection of gemology, analytical chemistry, and cultural commerce. The Type A/B/C treatment classification system is the commercial and scientific foundation of jade valuation — a system built on FTIR, Raman, and XRD analysis to distinguish natural untreated jadeite from chemically bleached and polymer-impregnated or dyed material. With fraud rampant in a market worth billions of dollars annually, professional laboratory certification is not a luxury but a practical necessity for any commercial transaction involving significant jade value. Whether testing for treatment status, confirming mineral species, or establishing Myanmar geographic origin for auction-grade Imperial jadeite, the analytical toolkit described here — from FTIR to LA-ICP-MS — provides the scientific foundation for confident commerce in the world’s most culturally significant gemstone. ContractLaboratory.com connects jade traders, jewelers, collectors, and compliance teams with accredited materials evaluation and testing laboratories and chemistry and compound analysis specialists experienced in gemstone authentication. Submit a testing request or contact our team.eds.