Jade vs. Simulants - Can You Spot the Difference?

On today's unboxing, we've got a table full of Jade and its Lookalikes - Onyx, Serpentine, Aventurine & more! See which green gem measures up and learn how to identify gemstone simulants. Then, check out a giant hunk of jade from our own backyard! Plus, discover an "African jade" that is a geologist's dream!
00:35 - Carved Soapstone
01:36 - Epidote Super Group
02:23 - Serpentine with Chrysotile
04:09 - What is Green Slag?
04:38 - Why Fracture is a Gemologist's Friend
05:12 - Aventurine Quartz & Fuchsite
06:09 - Gem Quality Chrysoprase
07:20 - Dyed Marble Carving
08:07 - What is Mariposite?
08:43 - Chalcedony Buddha
09:04 - Vibrant Green Onyx
09:20 - Nephrite Jade Sphere
10:18 - Jadeite Unveiled
12:24 - Why is Butterstone So Important?
14:24 - Jade Boulder...from Tennessee?
Subscribe to Gemstones.com: bit.ly/subgems
Check out our Gemopedia: www.gemstones.com/gemopedia?m...
CHECK OUT THE GEMS FROM THIS VIDEO:
Butterstone: www.jtv.com/product/-archean-...
Jadeite Bracelet: www.jtv.com/product/green-jad...
Chalcedony Buddha: www.jtv.com/product/carved-gr...
Chrysoprase: www.jtv.com/product/chrysopra...
Green Onyx Necklace: www.jtv.com/product/green-ony...
Aventurine Beads: www.jtv.com/product/green-ave...
Special Thanks to Darlene at Earth’s Core! www.earths-core.com/
Gemstones.com is one of the leading experts on gemstones and is the best source on KZbin for all things gem related. Featuring gem history, the science behind the stones, gemstones in pop culture, and much more, you too can become a gemology expert by immersing yourself in the Gemstones.com channel. Rebecca, our host, is a Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America and has an FGA from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain.
Website: www.gemstones.com/?mcid=XSOGE...
Facebook: gemstonesdot...
Instagram: gemstones?...
#Gemstones #jade #jadeite #unboxing #onyx #chalcedony #jtv

[@js.sheng1122]

7:33 That is “Yuan Yang”, the mandarin ducks. Ancient chinese believed these birds mate for life. They are often seen in traditional chinese carvings and paintings, symbolising love, devotion and fidelity.

[@barbaraeidinger6826]

The lesson was great; but Charles is the treasure! Keep using him for Unboxing please.

[@MandyJane123700]

I love jade, but I would be more than happy to have jewelry made of that dyed chalcedony.

[@lisafish1449]

I make jewelry and I love working with serpentine. It comes in all shades of green.

[@lorawaring883]

Super!!! And yes, bring Charles back for more stories. I had noticed the butter stone, but convinced myself the budget wouldn't allow me. ....I am RETHINKING that decision. 😊 But don't wait, Rebecca, go for it!

[@gems]

Thanks! For what it is, it's surprisingly affordable. After making this video, I personally bought a piece and gifted one to someone else.

[@ypcomchic]

Yea it’s only $20!!

[@micheleparker3780]

@@gems 😲👍❤️

[@aniquehable]

South African accent 😮

[@realcourte]

I like this "simulants" idea a lot! Makes us discover unheard type of materials. Maybe more soon? Chrysoprase was a nice discovery here!

[@gems]

Exactly! We thought this would be an excellent excuse to give some spotlight to lesser known stones and talk about what makes them unique. Chrysoprase is a reeeaallly nice gem a lot of people don't think about.

[@ondelynbanks2009]

Very useful! On the small two-bird stone, I would venture a guess that those are ducks- typically a symbol of marital fidelity because ducks mate for life. Usually a wedding gift.

[@emasemi2099]

Butterstone - "African jade" is so alive and wonderful!❤ And this Chrysoprase is so amazing, a pure beauty!❤ I am in love! Thank you very, very much!

[@gems]

You're welcome!

[@TheOtherSlideYT]

Awesome video! Charles has a wealth of knowledge, always great to see people doing what they love 😁

[@philodendron6]

Have two Jade carved lions, a few inches, been in the family for over 150 years, the craftsmanship is sublime.

[@JenniferHimel]

This was so interesting to watch. It seems like here in the states we don’t know much about jade but it’s a valuable part of gemology. Could you do a video on purple or other colors of jade? I didn’t even know until recently that it came in so many colors. Great video!

[@silvergirl7810]

I LOVE that you sell the items you’re showing- that’s the best! It makes the audience feel that we can be part of what you are talking about! 💚

[@TeeJay84x]

Finally a new Jade video, that was long overdue, I appreciate it, but there really should have been a piece - or multiple pieces - of A-Jadeite. Commercial quality is not so hard or expensive to get...

[@gems]

I know! We had some A-jadeite to show in the video, but since it was lavender, instead of green, we kept it off the table. We had so much to talk about on the table, we decided to cut it for time. But if you want to check it out, it's in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYqYkpaMo5yUqNU

[@jonathanbalagtas848]

Is it me?...or they just forget to mention the other bead stones. 😅 Seems also jade to me.

[@mariacortez2115]

Love that Nephrite Jade !!!!😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@texasceechelle]

Good lesson! I happened on real Jade bangles at an estate sale in Hawaii, they were from Ming’s in Honolulu. Yellow and light green.

[@stormdancerbarnett3012]

My first time watching. I was blown away. I'll keep watching. I love stones!!!

[@gems]

Welcome!

[@mylesaway79]

My fave is Charles, his smile is magnetic

[@samanthasimental3788]

That man has such relaxed personality. He os great.

[@dawsie]

I have jade that was given to me by a friend who went to China to visit family there 20 odd years ago, I had it checked for insurance purposes as I thought it was the cheap jade only to find that it was not dyed and was genuine. I asked him about the pendent, it was made from the chipped off jade from a larger statue that was being carved by his uncle, his uncle uses every scrap of jade due to its cost. Even the dust is sold for those who use it in resin work. I use to wear it all the time, then one day while I was talking to my friend it just broke in half I was stunned and upset, but the look on his face was pure horror, I said don’t worry I will get it fixed, and started yelling no no don’t, he said that because the jade broke like that it saved my life. Did I believe him no I’m not into that sort of old wives tale. 3 days later I was in a car accident which should have killed me, it took the rescue people 8 hours to cut me out of my car, my husband walked away and up the embankment we rolled down to flag down a passing car, they had seen the whole thing happen and had already called for rescue. He let my husband call my parents as it was Moms birthday and we were on our way to them. I still have the jade pieces I just don’t know what to believe. The Chinese have a very strong belief about jade braking for no reason. I just cannot bring myself to have it fixed and so it is nestled in a small padded box for safe keeping.

[@meg2831]

That butter stone is so pretty!

[@pinkblossomsky]

I want to see the ring on your right hand so baaad!!

[@Christopherhlee]

Would love to learn more about the differences between nephrite and jadeite. 🤓🤓🤓

[@EnkiNingishzidda]

My first love, when I was 8, was Alexandrite in the World Book Encyclopedias. I've studied and collected almost everything since then! My knowledge is still intact apparently.✌️ Thanks all!

[@hackieagoncillo1577]

I love jade jewels, my mom used to bring us some whenever she gets back home from Japan some 28 years ago or so.❤❤❤

[@JewelsoftheTrade]

This is the video the internet needed. Great job! Keep the jade videos coming!!! 👏🏻

[@micheleparker3780]

THANK YOU, CHARLES!!!

[@kaiwolff442]

The butterstone was so historically cool that I had to go get myself a palm stone!

[@NickatLateNite]

I live in northern Colorado... Think it's time for me to get to Wyoming and look for some nephrite!... I think the best gem you had was Charles!

[@taniakapronczai7652]

Beautiful and very informative ❤ Thank you for passing on the knowledge to us amateur rockhounds

[@SmithCaro]

In New Zealand it is called Pounamu or Greenstone. It can only be found in the South Island ... 😊

[@katrinthorsdottir7514]

This was an amazing video, so much information! My favorite is the same one Charles picked, that amazing chunk of Nephrite Jade; simply stunning.

[@TheWhore2culture]

A total random pop up on FYP & I was totally hooked,it's awesome listening to people talking about subjects they love,this was a perfect example. In London just up the road from me we have The Geological Museum which has a Hall with the world's variety of stones,gems both precious & semi-precious laid out by colour all against a matt black background with lighting that brings out the best in all the colours.I have spent hours wandering around it. Unlike the Natural History & Science Museums on either side of it,it's normally remarkably quiet. I have a small collection of jade pieces from an ancient piece from a pre dynastic Chinese grave, to a necklace made up of "bi" - flat discs,circular with a hole in the centre - made up of matching pairs in different colours white,mutton fat, orange & pale green. Thank you,very enjoyable,subsided & awaiting alerts.

[@whatrtheodds]

Truly magical. The names, textures and colors. Make me feel so happy to be alive to experience it.❤😊 Thank you for sharing this

[@Soapartisan875]

Thank you for sharing such great information . I collect Jade jewelry and I didn’t know I needed this information to make sure my Jade is genuine .

[@suyamamalalasekera8015]

Very informative... Thumbs up for Charles..

[@kiro9291]

aventurine

[@veronica0406]

Great information, thank you!

[@TheSimmy77]

There's also gorgeous grossularite garnets that are translucent to opaque that look like jade. Not most "jade" sold online is actually just dyed green quartz.

[@richardwilliams1334]

Here in NZ we have a jade that is simply called Pounamu or Green Stone treasured by Māori of old for jewelry and weaponry and later by everyone else. Often found in the Alpes and rivers of the South Island, and very very hard. I have seen a greenstone weapon that had a whitish green handle called Tahike by is Trible owners.

[@kerzwhile]

Great show!!😊

[@flambojan_lab]

Grazie per la spiegazione esaustiva e professionale

[@suzettehenderson9278]

There is another bracelet that I swear they didn't get to...far left top when looking straight down.

[@karenbecker7978]

I love your video! I like to do jewelery making and stone wrapping either by wire or macrame and have done it for some time now. I really love the color and the feel of jade it is my favorite of the stones. I do, on the other hand, enjoy the stones from Africa and Tennessee...just beautiful!

[@amberm2777]

Great episode!

[@lumilumi0810]

Crisopraz is stunning! ❤

[@mikeharrington5593]

Chrysoprase

[@Embassy_of_Jupiter]

love this channel, you have the best job

[@RambleOn.]

Thanks- very useful/interesting info for those of us that travel & like rocks, & jewelry 😉

[@anni5385]

It’s funny you didn’t show any green jasper that can be so jaded sometimes

[@metatechnologist]

Or hydrosular garnet. A dead ringer for jade.

[@catherinemartina6469]

Thank you charles

[@johnrichardson3297]

Gemstones can you do an episode on Plum Blossom Jade, My father found a great specimen! I’d like to see more!

[@glennpallast3131]

I have a piece of Butterstone and it is so awesome. Got mine a little over a year ago and I have to check it out everyday.

[@csolorio04]

There was one necklace you didn’t review and that is the one I absolutely loved

[@yulianasine5398]

😘🙏👍❤️Thank you very much for the lovely program about the Jade Stones so I can learn more God bless To the program

[@jenniferreynolds7082]

Wyoming also has nephrite that looks similar to the piece that was from Tennessee.

[@viridiangreen8259]

Thank you:)

[@hakes187]

Cool show..education at its best

[@NiHaoXiangcao]

Aww I love Jade! 🫶 Thank you for giving us such wonderful distinguish points and the different simulants and their history as well!!! ✨🙇🏽🤎

[@kaiwolff442]

I love this channel so much

[@DeDraakAap]

Thank you

[@tomfromoz8527]

I had two Chinese women visit my jewellery shop who showed interest in a carved black jade pendant. One of the women took off a large green jade bangle and tapped it against the pendant. The perfect note that rang out left her looking shocked! I then asked her, "real?" and all she could do was nod. They did not buy the pendant, so I put it aside to re-think the price! I wonder if you can explain the amazing sound? *Pam*

[@CharlemagneProkopyshyn]

Loved this episode. I love jadeite jade and those green colours. Do you guys ship to UK? Loved the butterstone, too. I could buy everything on your table! Lol 😂Charles is a lovely guy, was great to get to know him in this video. 😊

[@laara1426]

I luv this channel !

[@ALayne08]

Good show, and thanks for reminding me to subscribe.

[@lizbutler2256]

Wow this gave me some answers about a set of jewellery I have that I was hoping was jade, but it turns out is probably just dyed chalcedony or onyx instead. Dangit. Oh, well, I have answers now, and at least I like wearing my jewellery, so happy days still.

[@gems]

If you enjoy it, that's what really matters! Chalcedony and onyx can make for beautiful gems.

[@nandingpanelo]

Thanks

[@shadeen3604]

Thank you excellent

[@marckmenke]

This is a great video. I'd love for you also to do a part two, where you go into more depth about other stones that get confused with jade (variscite, vesuvianite/californite/idocrase, grossularite, saussurite, Maw Sit Sit, Dushan 'jade', Guizhao 'jade', etc), as well as some of the varieties of serpentine (Xiuyan 'jade', Lantian 'jade', bowenite) that seem to bridge the gap with nephrite. Also more discussion of distinctions in some of the various colors and types of nephrite (Hetian/Qinghai/Kunlun, Canada, Siberia, Taiwan, California, New Zealand, Indonesia, Pakistan) and jadeite (Burma, Guatemala, California, Turkey, Siberia, Kazakhstan). Actually, that white marble bird pendant dyed with green spots looks similar to some pieces of Dushan jade (saussurite). It would be interesting to compare those two stones, and other forms of 'moss-in-snow' jade.

[@davidjacobs8558]

Celadon is basically trying to imitate Jade using ceramic.

[@obama-bin_laden]

What a rare gentleman! First time listening to one of Anglo Zimbabwiyan

[@babadukk]

I remember i had gotten a coworker a bracelet once and the first thing she said was, "Jade! This is my favorite!" It looked like green colored glass to me, but I didn't have the heart to correct her.

[@sean..L]

This guy knows everything

[@dorotarawicz-lipinska1150]

A piece of Connemara Marble would fit here nicely

[@jonahs92]

I have a carved turtle pendant that I'm pretty sure is either jadeite or nephrite. How would I be able to tell? Thank you for finally doing a video on jade, I've been waiting for a long time!

[@gems]

Look at the texture, color, and how it interacts with light. Does it feel cold to the touch? We're hoping the examples in the video will give you a frame of reference, but to really be sure, you'll want to take it to a jeweler or someone who can conduct more thorough tests.

[@sandramorey2529]

There was a strand of 6mm olive green rounds you didn't identify. Are they jade? They look like what I have bought at shows called Monterey Jade from Monterey CA. Also, what about "Green Stone" found in the Aleutions and New Zealand. Worth a mention, I should think.

[@thenorthernpalace261]

Oh, I wish you had talked about Afghan jade, which is not a real jade. There are a lot of confusing info on the internet, and all I could ascertain is it's a form of serpentine, but that's just about it. Anyway great episode as usual! :)

[@gems]

Noted! We’ll see if we can get some

[@breakeverychain7]

Found a random green tumbled stone on the ground in town it looks like jade but probably serpentine, in the morning it looks green in the afternoon it looks yellow, it doesn’t scratch on a metal knife

[@BonesFPV]

She’s so pretty!

[@uggali]

Pounamu (nephrite/jade) carved by Māori into ornaments, weapons, and tools. Te Wai Pounamu (the jade water) is the indigenous name for the south island, the biggest island of the New Zealand archipelago, also regarded as Te Waka o Māui (Māui’s canoe). Jade/nephrite commonly known in Aotearoa NZ as pounamu and greenstone is an esteemed cultural treasure💚

[@SmokeyLove-vt4xd]

Hey, wheres Jay been! Just watched the video of him explaining parcels. I got really into his live streams.

[@myIGbin24h]

oh! i bought a pendant in Kyoto very simolar to 7:33 so it is marble! cool!

[@kamanama3671]

I bought a Jade bead necklace that was so cold I had to return it.

[@TheBottegaChannel]

My favorites have to be either the Nephrite, the Adventurine or the African Butterstone. Quick fun little story about correcting someone about a Jade substitute: About a year or so ago I was studying polonesian culture and learned about Toki ( adze blades) made of jade. Wanting to respect the culture but work on a budget, I found some Adventurine on sale that had been lapidated into wedge forms. After using a wetstone, I lapped a chisel edge and strung it up, then proceeded to wear it. A few days after, someone complimented me on my " Jade necklace". I told them " Thanks, but I'm sorry to say, it's not Jade. It's Adventurine.". To this day, I still have the pendant as well as the other blanks so I can replace it if it breaks.

[@annes4213]

I found nephrite jade in my backyard - it’s very cold and waxy looking -

[@bethlovesthings]

My bank account is glad y'all don't ship to aus (yet?). Butter stone is my kinda vibe. Timeless slime rock? Yes please 😂😂

[@knightshade6232]

One day i can buy one of this

[@aniquehable]

13:00 so what you're saying is that butterstone is a time capsule of Vaalbara ❤?

[@mmhope9411]

Ok so if green aventurine is clear quartz with green mica inclusions (fuchsite), then what are the pieces that are being sold as fuchsite? They are usually more expensive, are they essentially green aventurine, but just a higher "quality"?

[@KrosanBeast315]

9:06 For a Stone to be called Onyx Chalcedony according to the G.I.A... it must have straight, paralel layers or bands of alternating black and white. That piece doesn't, so it is just Dyed Chalcedony. As a side note, what is UNFORTUNATELY AND INCORRECTLY often called 'Green Onyx' in the trade since it has bands is actually green colored Variety: Onyx Marble, Species: Calcite. This is a huge problem in the Trade and must be addressed properly.

[@DeeDurand-wm4sf]

New sub from shoshone Wyoming...please , more on nepherite jade , Wyoming state gemstone...73 years old and a rockhound for approximately 65 years

[@gems]

Welcome!

[@davidsandoval2114]

I do not mean to lilypad to another topic, but is angleskin coral similar to jade in the differentiation of colors and pricin? Would love to witness a reliaable and valid video on angleskin coral.

[@user-cz8xz3rj4m]

Wonderful work * congratulation* I made this for many years * beautiful*

[@gems]

Thank you very much!

[@mikeharrington5593]

Can jade be opaque ? What is the retail value of the big chunk of nephrite at the end?

[@breakeverychain7]

I think the stone I found is very light springy green clear nephrite cute

[@user-zr1og9qx5i]

Being from California I recognized the chunk of serpentine from hiking trips.

[@tommunyon2874]

My wife bought a ring with a large green cabochon stone on Guam back in the 1980s from a Hong Kong based jeweler. The gemnological society wants more to evaluate the stone than I think the ring is worth. I think it is either nephrite or jadite.

[@QueenWendyLu]

Do a video on rubies. Pigeon blood rubies specifically.

[@user-mi5cm1cm2z]

please speak on British Columbia a k.a. B.C. jade. 😊 Seems like nephritis,extremely heavy. I have about 24 I found in the wild. They are on average 10/12 in. X 20/24in X 3IN. deep. approx 50lbs each, just a guess but more than my chubby schnauzer 😂 I saw 3 the size of stove....nicely hidden where I go hunting. 😊 Also...since South Africa was mentioned...the Massina/Massena crystals from Tanzina. I bought 3 and then heard the mine had been sealed. tyty

[@jeanettemarkley7299]

10:59 But dyed stones fade in the light.

[@rhondaskvoretz1476]

I have some green stones that turn purple with UV light. What would these be?

[@FireSilver25]

I have a bunch of British Columbian nephrite that I love working with. It is tough to get a smooth polish on though. It likes to get an orange peel texture because of the fibers or something. I’m going to try polishing with 1200 grit for longer like I saw online somewhere.

[@sleepycat_ada8210]

Could you do a video on Guatemalan jade and how they are compared to the Asian jade?

[@gems]

We'll try!