What is "B" Jade?

In the late 1970's to the early 1980's a new kind of jade appeared in the markets of East Asia. This material had a light, bright body color and good translucence. Some dealers noticed a 'spidery' texture when viewed under 20x magnification. Prices were reasonable for such quality, too reasonable, based on values at the time. This marked the beginning of what has since been called 'B' jade. A new alphabet has emerged in the jade markets of the world:

'A' jade: natural, untreated jadeite jade. The only acceptable process after polishing is surface waxing with ordinary beeswax, to fill the stone's natural (and microscopic) surface pores, as has been done for centuries. 'A' jade is the good stuff. (That's all we sell at Mason-Kay).

'B' jade: bleached, polymer-impregnated jadeite jade. The chemical process to create 'B' jade is described below. This is the bad stuff.

'C' jade: bleached, polymer-impregnated jadeite jade that has also been dyed. This is the worst stuff of all.

'D' jade: dyed jadeite jade. Usually dyed green or lavender, but sometimes red or yellow as well. This is the old stuff. Almost always dyed previous to the polymer treatment era. This is also bad stuff.

How is 'B' jade made?
To make 'B' jade one starts with a jade sample that is blemished with internal 'stains' or spots; there may be visible 'grain boundaries' or minor structural flaws. This is immersed in a powerful acid, such as sulfuric or hydrochloric acid. Sometimes the acid is heated to increase its strength; immersion can be repeated and last for several weeks. (The working fumes are quite toxic and this procedure is not without risk). The resulting stone has been changed: the sodium in the sodium silicate of jade's structure has been leached out and the internal stains with them. (At this point, it could be said, one no longer has jadeite jade at all). The stone is then put into a neutralizing agent, after which a polymer is injected into the stone with the use of a centrifuge. At this stage the stone is entirely covered with a hard, clear plastic-like coating. Cutting and polishing are performed as they would be on any jade stone.

Is this process permanent?
Current research indicates that 'B' jade will, in time, become unstable and will discolor. We already know that it is not nearly as durable as natural jade, and that ordinary household detergent can break down the polymer. Whereas real jade is often cleaned with acetone, (to remove glue from settings, for example), 'B' jade completely clouds up when acetone is applied. There are reports of 'acid leak' from improperly neutralized stones, (skin burns are the result). Heavy prongs or bezels can actually penetrate the weakened surface of the treated stone.

How can you tell if it's 'B' jade?
First of all, ask! Sometimes, you might hear a straightforward answer. It is not, after all, illegal to sell 'B' jade, just unethical to sell without disclosure. If the stone exhibits brightness and translucence, and appears to be inordinately well-priced, be suspicious. Under examination with a loupe if there is a web-like consistency on the jade's surface, be suspicious. If color appears to 'float' in the stone, be suspicious.

In the end, even experts cannot really be certain by eye alone whether or not a stone is 'A' or 'B'. Even standard gemological testing is usually inconclusive (refractive index and specific gravity are either unchanged, or insufficiently changed to make a definitive conclusion). Hardness is affected, but to test for it means marring the stone permanently. So how to be certain a stone is 'A' or 'B'?

The Gemological Institute of America developed a technique in 1990 that definitively and in a non-destructive manner can test for the presence of polymers within a jade's interior: infra-red spectroscopy. Polymers leave a tell-tale trace in the infra-red spectrum, and a machine called an F.T.I.R., (Fourier transform, infra-red), spectroscope can detect this trace quite clearly. Mason-Kay has had it's own FTIR equipment since 1995, and is currently the only commercial firm, (as opposed to scientific laboratory), in the United States with its own FTIR for testing jade.

How has the market changed, with the coming of 'B' jade?
'B' jade is here to stay. The market for 'green but cheap' jade jewelry, once primarily in East Asia, now is world-wide. When word of the new process spread, there was a loss of confidence in the jade market; jade exports from Hong Kong plummeted by as much as 50% in the years 1989-1992. Recent record-high auction results indicate that the jade market has since come back in a strong way, However, two markets have emerged: an 'A' jade market and a 'B' jade market. The 'A' market consists of better goods, estate pieces and 'fine jewelry' whereas 'B' jade is generally set in light-weight 10 and 14 karat, (this is not to say that there isn't 'B' jade set in 18k!).

How much is 'B' jade worth?
With more and more FTIR's used for gemological application, 'B' prices have come down, while 'A' jade prices for fine material are soaring. To some, 'B' jade has no value because it is no longer jade! But in the market-place, 'B' jade is about 1/10 of the value of a piece of equivalent 'A' jade. 'C' and 'D' jade are about 1/10 to 1/50 of the value of an equivalent 'A' jade. Unfortunately, there is no general disclosure that a piece of jade is 'B' treated. That may change in the U.S. as the Federal Trade Commission considers amending the law to require treatment disclosure; however, when buying abroad, it's 'buyer beware'.

Chemistry has the ability to change and transform the nature of the materials around us, including precious stones. Diamonds are fracture-filled and synthesized, rubies and sapphires are heated and simulated, emeralds are oiled and laboratory grown, topaz is irradiated by fissionable material and star sapphires have been synthetically made for over fifty years. It is not surprising that jade is amenable to chemical manipulation. Some would say that it makes the real thing all that much more precious!