The Colors of Jade

The Colors of Jade

There are two types of jade: nephrite and jadeite each with its own color palette. Certain colors of jadeite, the newer jade, are highly valued as gem material. The emerald colored “Imperial green,” along with lavender, rare blue, yellow and red are the most sought after colors of jadeite. It is an interesting quirk of the jade market to note that the most highly prized nephrite is pure white, while white is the least valued form of jadeite.

Color is as important as the quality of carving when grading jade. There are said to be over one hundred distinct classifications of green, with such fanciful names as “moss entangled in snow” or “spring onion green.” The Chinese respect for nature was the basis for most of the jade color categories. “Sky after the rain” and “sky reflected in clear water” refer to two of the rarer shades. From the animal kingdom come antelope, chicken bone, egg, kingfisher, mutton fat (a highly desirable lardy white color of nephrite), nightingale and shrimp. From the vegetable kingdom: apple, bamboo, betel nut, chestnut, date, melon, moss, olive, young onion, peach, pine flower, rice, rose, sunflower and spinach. Other equally descriptive but less charming names include “purple of the veins” and “mucous of the nose gray.”

Today’s jade collectors usually fall into one of two categories: those who seek out the old nephrite pieces, and those who prefer the more showy jadeite carvings and jewelry. The soft, waxy luster and subdued colors of nephrite attract collectors whose tastes run to the antique and archaic pieces while the bright, glossy finish and sharp, clear colors of jadeite are preferred by those who like a brighter, more contemporary approach. Many of the old jade pieces are very plain with little or no surface decoration. Animal carvings or symbols are often highly stylized. The more recently produced carvings or symbols are often elaborately decorated with floral or animal forms.

Determining the authenticity of jade can be extremely tricky. There are well over a dozen substitutes that can fool both the eye and the touch of the unwary, including serpentine, bowenite, soapstone, chrysoprase and even glass. While the only way to be absolutely sure if a piece is jade is to have it tested by a qualified gemologist, there are several things the consumer can do to protect a potential investment. The most obvious form of insurance is to buy from reputable dealers who will stand by their merchandise.

Copyrighted Cherie Fehrman, 2025