Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
EditorsMay 11, 2015
A brief guide on jade
Associate Editor Brecken Branstrator explains that the term “jade” actually refers to two chemically different stones, jadeite and nephrite.
My Rocks On series, which features a different gemstone every month, is one of my favorite projects to tackle. Not only does it often lead to me meeting new designers and gemstone dealers when I interview them about what’s trending and what’s going on in pricing of the stones, it goes a long way toward helping me learn about colored gemstones.
In March, Rocks On featured jadeite. The article started out focusing on jade but quickly became narrower when I learned about the nuances of jade and all that’s included in that. Since not all that information made it into the story, we thought a follow-up blog delving deeper into the specifics of jade would be helpful.
Jeff Mason of jade wholesaler Mason-Kay hopped on the phone with me to help me understand what the term “jade” really means and the characteristics of the two different stones that are actually included in the word--jadeite and nephrite--especially as there remains some confusion, even within the trade.
Nephrite was discovered way before jadeite, some 5,000 years ago, and was highly valued by the Chinese Imperials. Before it began to be used as adornment, it was used for equipment like tools because of its hardness. When jadeite was discovered many years later, they thought that it was just a better deposit of the same stone.
Today, the only nephrite that has real value is the material that has excellent carvings or experts can actually trace back to ancient times. Otherwise there isn’t a huge demand for it when it comes to jewelry, and it’s not nearly as valuable as jadeite.
Nephrite is mostly green and white, both of which are more muted than their jadeite counterparts; due to oxidation, it also comes in some red and orange hues. It’s plentiful and originates from a number of sources, including Taiwan, California, Alaska, British Columbia, Wyoming, New Zealand and Russia.
Jadeite, meanwhile, is a chemically different stone. This fact wasn’t established until well after it began showing up in China, when French mineralogist Alexis Damour made the discovery in 1863. Jadeite is much more vibrant in color than nephrite, more translucent, much more rare and valuable, and is almost always what is used in fine jewelry. (Though nephrite is readily available and comes in commercial qualities, meaning it can be available in
calibrated sizes, it’s not often used.)
“You don’t see nephrite in fine jewelry much. We might see it once in a while, in lower-end, 10-karat jewelry,” Mason said.
Market conditions--supply is diminishing (Myanmar is really the only significant source of fine jadeite these days) but demand is increasing--have caused the price of fine jadeite to skyrocket. Mason added, “As the Chinese economy improves and there are more and more wealthy Chinese citizens, one of the things that they demand is fine jadeite, and they’re willing to pay what it takes."
Jadeite also comes in many more colors; in terms of popularity, the fine green is still tops, followed by lavender and then ice jade, which is starting to be a strong competitor for second place due to its translucency, especially in terms of prices at auction. Then far below those are the other colors--the reds, yellows, browns and whites.
One exception in terms of jewelry, Mason noted, is that most black jade used in fine jewelry is, unlike other colors, nephrite. Black jadeite is rare and somewhat expensive, therefore not used in jewelry too often. Black nephrite is much more plentiful and not as expensive.
More on Editors
The Latest
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
