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Post by mohs on Apr 3, 2011 21:56:28 GMT -5
Hi Folks ! I need some help A person gave me this for my opinion He told me it was jade. I’m more than skeptical It is hard material good knife steel doesn’t scratch it How can I tell if this material is man-made material ? Or real ? How is the carving done? If this is hand carved well.. its intricate. I’m thinking mold. Anyone have any insight? Thanks much! ED
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Post by bobby1 on Apr 3, 2011 22:05:56 GMT -5
Could be glass because if a knife won't scratch it. Look for mold parting lines on the outer edges. Try scratching it with agate. If it scratches easily still could be glass. If it doesn't scratch it could be jadeite. These colors are not unusual for Burma Jade. Look for a slightly crystalline appearance. That would mostly likely indicate Burma Jadeite. Bob
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Post by mohs on Apr 3, 2011 22:18:34 GMT -5
WOW! Thanks so much Bob! Great advice! Ed
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Post by Woodyrock on Apr 3, 2011 23:27:39 GMT -5
Like Bob said, it looks like Jadeite to me. If you can get it under some magnification look for grinding scratches in the deeper carved areas. Woody
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Apr 4, 2011 8:09:07 GMT -5
It's probably Jadeite, I have many "talismans" and such from China and Thailand, made out of Jadeite, looks just like what you're showing above. The piece in this photo isn't exactly like what you're showing, but it's also Jadeite. I don't have a photo handy of my other pieces...
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MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2009
Posts: 1,081
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Post by MikeS on Apr 4, 2011 8:52:52 GMT -5
the most accurate way the average hobbyist can rule out fakes is with a specific gravity test...with a piece that small you will need an accurate scale...Jadeite will have a specific gravity usually between 3.2 to 3.4.
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Post by mohs on Apr 6, 2011 10:50:41 GMT -5
The first thing I noticed when the person handed it to me was the weight it had that dense massy feel to it not an accurate substitute for specific gravity test I looked at it under some magnification I see what look like scratch marks deep in the crevices the edges are seamless from that I’ve ruled out that it’s mold production BUUUUTTTT... It seems that agate scratches it That would rule out jade? right? here’s something that makes me wonder in general about carvings the drilled holes I’m assuming that done to remove excess stock for easier carving ? Thanks for all the great advice !! Ed
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MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2009
Posts: 1,081
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Post by MikeS on Apr 6, 2011 17:52:09 GMT -5
Agate is usually just a bit harder on the Mohs scale than Jadeite, so it should usually scratch it...(7 vs. 6.5)
If it is Jade, I'd speculate it is jadeite and not nephrite...mostly because of the color, that color blend would be pretty rare in nephrite...
it appears to be translucent, like quality jadeite should be, and the green color penetrates the entire specimen (ie. it's not just on the surface)...if it's a fake, it's a good one...
Both jadeite and nephrite will "ring" when struck gently with a piece of steel or glass...but I wouldn't recommend that test on that piece, it would be a shame to accidently damage it if it is in fact real...
I'd start with a SG test...that can be simply done if you have access to an accurate scale (your average postage scale should be plently accurate enough), a glass beaker, and a syringe that can dose water out to the tenth of a milliliter (you can get these at any pharmacy...the smaller the gradation on the syringe, the better....
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