How to Choose Jadeite: Colour, Texture, Clarity & 'Water'

Jadeite is judged on four classic factors, often summarised by collectors as colour, base, water and workmanship. Here's how to read each one.

1. Colour (种 of the green)

Green is king — but not all greens are equal. The most valuable is a vivid, pure, evenly distributed "imperial green". Judge:

• Hue — pure green is best; avoid grey or yellow casts.
• Saturation — rich, not washed out.
• Evenness — uniform colour beats blotches.

Lavender, icy white and "ice" jadeite are also collectible and increasingly fashionable.

2. Base / texture (底 & 种)

The "base" is the fineness of the crystal structure. A fine base looks smooth and glassy; a coarse base looks grainy. Finer is better and more valuable.

3. "Water" (transparency)

"Water" (水头) is jadeite's translucency — how deeply light travels into the stone. High-water jadeite looks luminous and alive; "dry" stone looks flat. Water can matter as much as colour for overall beauty and price.

4. Clarity & workmanship

Check for cracks (serious value killers), black spots and stains. Then assess the carving and polish — skilled cutting maximises colour and water and signals a quality piece.

5. Type A — natural and untreated

Insist on Type A jadeite: natural, only polished, never bleached, resin-filled (Type B) or dyed (Type C). Treated jadeite looks attractive at first but degrades and holds little value. Always get a certificate for fine pieces.

6. Origin: Guatemalan vs Burmese

The finest jadeite has historically come from Myanmar (Burma), but the US and EU restrict imports of Burmese jadeite. Guatemala is the other true jadeite source and is easy to import worldwide. We carry both and label the origin on every piece, so you can choose what suits your location — with provenance documentation for fine pieces.

Buyer's shortcut

For everyday beauty per dollar, prioritise good water and an even base. For a collector statement, chase pure, saturated green with high water — and always confirm Type A.