Jadeite: Meaning, Grades and What Type A Means
Jadeite: Meaning, Grades and What Type A Means
What jadeite is
Jadeite is a pyroxene mineral, harder and denser than nephrite. It comes in white, green, lavender, grey and near-black, and it is the material most people mean when they say "jade" in a jewellery context. The main commercial sources are Myanmar, Guatemala and Japan.
The A, B, C grading system
This grading is a trade convention, not an international standard, but it is widely used and worth understanding:
- Type A. Natural jadeite, not bleached and not resin-impregnated. It may be waxed, which is traditional finishing.
- Type B. Bleached and polymer-impregnated to improve clarity. Stable, but treated.
- Type C. Dyed. Colour is not natural.
- B+C. Both bleached and dyed.
If a seller cannot say which grade a piece is, the piece should be treated as unverified.
In Chinese culture
Jade has been worked in China for roughly eight thousand years. The classical association is with virtue rather than with luck: the stone's toughness and its cool, quiet surface were read as analogues for constancy, restraint and integrity. A jade pendant was a personal object, often given at birth or on a milestone, and worn close to the body.
Green is the most sought colour, but the traditional ranking is not simply "greener is better". Evenness, translucency and the quality of the surface matter, and a small, finely coloured piece can be valued above a large pale one.
How to look at a jadeite pendant
- Colour distribution. Natural colour often pools unevenly and follows grain. Perfectly even colour across a large area is a reason to ask questions.
- Surface. Look for a fine, glassy sheen. A dull, waxy surface may suggest polymer treatment.
- Certificate. Reputable sellers provide a lab report naming the grade. Ask before buying.
Care
Jadeite is durable but not indestructible. Avoid knocks against hard edges, keep it away from household acids and chlorine, and wipe with a soft damp cloth. Store separately so metal fittings do not scratch the surface.
Common questions
Is jadeite the same as jade?
Jade is a category covering two minerals: jadeite and nephrite. They differ in hardness and structure, and they are priced differently.
Does Type A mean gem grade?
No. Type A describes treatment, not quality. A Type A piece can still be pale, cloudy or heavily included.
Why does colour look different in photos?
Jadeite is translucent and shifts with light. Photograph it in daylight, on white, and ask for an unedited image before buying remotely.
What this page does not claim
We do not claim that jadeite brings luck, protects the wearer, or affects health. Cultural associations are described as history. Grading statements describe treatment only, and our origin notes are supplier-reported unless we state otherwise.