Distinguishing Common Jade Lookalikes

Quick Separations

The following table will be most helpful when you only need to determine whether or not a customer’s gemstone is in fact jade. In some cases, that’s all your customer wants to know. In those cases, conducting a test that will help you eliminate the greatest number of possible identifications or getting a test result that indicates the gem is neither jadeite nor nephrite is the most cost-effective way to accomplish that. With very few tests, you might be able to confidently state the gemstone is not jade. You might even have a possible, but not definitive, identification for the stone.

Of course, you might have to conduct several tests to determine whether or not the stone is jadeite or nephrite. Furthermore, confirming a gem’s identity always involves more testing than just determining what it’s not. If your customer wants to know the identity of the stone, even if it’s not jade, you’ll have to conduct additional tests.

Green Jade Lookalikes

Many gemstones have been used as jade lookalikes or simulants. Some stones may also be misidentified as