Bridal Couture Week NY 2010


Here is a Bridal Bazaar of designers Houses like ''JTL Bridal Couture ,Tia Mazza, Katerina Bocci, Model Novias ,Karen Sabag and Pesavento ''.
This episode was made during bridal fashion week in New York city for the Season of spring/summer 2010.

Check out some pearl earrings that resembles the earrings shown on the video.



LaVie Bridal - 2010 Bridal Show


Check out the elegant creations of designers Jeff, Lewis & Jolene from LaVie Bridal.



Vera Wang Bridal Gowns - Spring 2010 Lookbook


Vera Wang Bridal Gowns - Spring 2010 Lookbook Version 3

A more traditional bridal look with the emphasis on the eyes.
Also, some (very basic) tips on applying makeup to others! (Best products, sanitary practices...etc.)

Make sure to watch PART 2 for the rest of the eyes, lash application, lips, aaaannnndddd bloopers :)

Check the bridal pearl jewelries that will complement your look at http://www.samrose.com

Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzu7LaRWyq4

Pearl Pendant

Don't forget mom this Mother's Day! Get her something she'll wear close to her heart! Save 15% on all Mother's Day jewelry! Just use coupon code “FABMOM” at checkout page.

Celebrate motherhood and thank the one you love this Mother's Day with a very special gift that will leave her smiling. SamanthaRose.us offers special pearl jewelry treasures for every budget to make gift giving easy.

In this video, Ronnie Mervis of Mervis Diamonds provides tips on how to buy diamond jewelry.

Ronnie Mervis is co-owner of Mervis Diamond Importers - the leading diamond dealer in the Washington area for the past 30 years. Voted the "Best Place to Buy a Diamond” in the Washingtonpost.com Readers' Choice BEST BETS contest and selected in 2006 for having the best wedding rings in W*USA9’s A-List Top 100 of Washington, DC’s Best Local Businesses, Mervis Diamond Importers is known for supplying their outstanding diamonds to tens of thousands of happy clients each year. With a direct link to the diamond-producing centers of South Africa, Mervis offers wholesale pricing, guaranteeing their customers great value while their commitment to customer service ensures an enjoyable buying experience. Mervis Diamond Importers offers three marvelous showrooms in Tysons Corner, Virginia, downtown Washington, DC and Chevy Chase, Maryland. Coming soon will be a fourth showroom located in Rockville, Maryland. Ronnie handles the company's marketing and public relations on a very active and personal basis. His familiar accent is heard daily on over thirty radio stations, stretching from Baltimore to Richmond.

Video Transcript

Ronnie Mervis: From Mervis Diamond Importers, this is Ronnie Mervis and I would like to talk to you about Diamond Stud Earrings, the most versatile item of a woman's jewelry wardrobe you can possibly imagine. They look just as great with denim jeans, as they do with a little cocktail dress, or with an awful formal.

What should you look for in selecting a pair of diamond stud earrings. I can ask that in one word and the word is, flash. And flash is a function of the way the diamonds are cut. It's all about the way light enters a diamond, refracts around internally in the diamond and comes back to your eye. So, that's what you look for. After flash, of course, the size is important and the color is important. And you wan the highest possible color which is a closest to white without any element of the yellow coming in. And something that you should remember in terms of terminology is that when we talk about carat weight of the diamonds, we are talking about total carat weight. So 1 carat pair of earrings really means a pair containing two half carats, they are half in each ear. The least important factor and one that you really don't need to focus on for diamond stud earrings, but where a lot of people make mistakes, and that is clarity. The internal clarity, the absence or the presence of tiny little natural inclusions or marks of nature are really pretty irrelevant when it comes to diamond stud earrings. Most important of all, it's got to come in at a budgetary figure, which is convenient for you. So, select a pair which is right for the occasion, in terms of the money that's available right now or in terms of which would be available for you with easy financing in a years of time, 2 or 5 or 10 whenever it is. If you get tired of these earrings and you would like to get bigger, better and brighter, then you can always bring them back. Any reputable organization, like ours, and there are many others, will be glad to take back your diamond stud earrings at full value for any exchange. An important feature of a pair of diamond stud earrings is the fact that, they have got to be perfectly matched. They got to be matched against each other, not only for the four C's, the cut, the color, the clarity and the carat weight. But they have to matched against each other for millimeter dimension. And often there is something that goes wrong and the two studs don't just look the same. The reason why an organization like ours can get the match right, is because we make a huge quantities of diamond stud earrings and we select our stones and match them up out of a huge pile of diamonds. Other questions that you may want to ask yourself, but they are not really very important, however, it's good to know about them, is the metal that the diamonds are going to be mounted into for the stud earrings. We use different materials. We use platinum which is the most noble of all materials. But platinum is expensive and we really use them only for the larger pairs of earrings in the higher priced items. If it's not platinum, it could be in gold, and it's your choice. You can go in yellow gold or you can go in white gold. Both are very popular. Over the yeas, yellow has predominantly being more popular than white. But right now, the fashion is changing and white seems to be eclipsing yellow. If I need to make a recommendation to you, I am going to say, go with white. Because the diamond appears to draw color from the surrounding metal and if the metal is white, the diamonds will look white and that is the objective to keep color out of your earrings. Then the diamonds within the studs can be held in different ways. The most common way is in a four-prong solitaire stud. But there are variations on that. We can also do up to three prongs. And we do what is called the martini glass setting. The diamonds could be surrounded by a circle of metal. We call that a bezel setting. There are lots of different ways. But it's not really the most important thing and if you had them mounted one way, highly unlikely, that she's going to tell you, Oh! You bought me the wrong earrings, I don't like the way they are mounted.

The question that many ladies ask is, whether a screw-type fitting at the back is better than a standard snap-on. Well, there is no right answer, but I can tell you what our preference is. We really are not big fans of the screw-on type of earring back, because just like it can screw-on, it can screw-off and there is no guarantee that it stays locked in place. Also some ladies complain, that the thread on the post, when it goes through the tiny little aperture in the ear, might cause an irritation. So, our preference is to have the opposite. It's a double notched post without any thread on it, which goes through the hole in the ear without causing any discomfort, and it's locked into place with a friction back. Now, we do have to be realistic and I must tell you that even though it's quite safe, accidents occur and that is why, it's important that you get a certificate of insurance and that you insure them properly through your reputable broker, or through a reputable insurance company, so that if anything ever happens, that you are properly covered, that your purchase is properly documented and that you have a basis for a claim against your insurance company, they will step up to the plate and replace it. The last question which sometimes flummoxes the guys is, how much should I spend? And the answer to that is very simple and that is, don't make that decision. Just come in open-minded and say, please show me a large selection, and we will find a pair that is absolutely right for you. With that Good luck. You can never go wrong with a pair of diamond stud earrings and it is the one item that will be worn all the time. She will enjoy them and you will enjoy them and I hope you will enjoy giving them, as much as, she will enjoy wearing them. Thank you.



--- How to Buy Diamond Stud Earrings (VIDEO)

What we think about diamonds, is in fact, a myth. That diamond is forever is just a clever marketing ploy to deceive unsuspecting consumers. Other illusions they created for the public consumers to believe is that a diamonds as a symbol of love and commitment. Other successful campaigns include the "eternity ring" (as a symbol of continuing affection and appreciation), the "trilogy" ring (representing the past, present and future of a relationship) and the "right hand ring" (bought and worn by women as a symbol of independence).

At the center of that myth is an illusion, that diamonds are valuable because they are rare. When writer Edward Epstein set out to investigate the diamond trade, he discovered that diamonds aren’t rare at all. Second only to Christmas, Valentine’s Day is the holiday when diamonds are most often given as the ultimate token of love. Central to the diamond’s role as a romantic symbol is the belief that diamonds are one of the rarest, most precious gifts for a loved one. But it’s only a myth–diamonds are found in plentiful supply.

A single company—De Beers—controls a significant proportion of the trade in diamonds. They are based in Johannesburg, South Africa and London, England. One contributory factor is the geological nature of diamond deposits: several large primary kimberlite-pipe mines each account for significant portions of market share (such as the Jwaneng mine in Botswana, which is a single large pit operated by De Beers that can produce between 12.5 to 15 million carats of diamonds per year,) whereas secondary alluvial diamond deposits tend to be fragmented amongst many different operators because they can be dispersed over many hundreds of square kilometers (e.g., alluvial deposits in Brazil).

The production and distribution of diamonds is largely consolidated in the hands of a few key players, and concentrated in traditional diamond trading centers, the most important being Antwerp, where 80% of all rough diamonds, 50% of all cut diamonds and more than 50% of all rough, cut and industrial diamonds combined are handled. This makes Antwerp a de facto "world diamond capital". Another important diamond center is New York City, where almost 80% of the world's diamonds are sold, including auction sales. The DeBeers Company, as the world's largest diamond miner holds a dominant position in the industry, and has done so since soon after its founding in 1888 by the British imperialist Cecil Rhodes. De Beers owns or controls a significant portion of the world's rough diamond production facilities (mines) and distribution channels for gem-quality diamonds.

The Diamond Trading Company (DTC) is a subsidiary of De Beers and markets rough diamonds from De Beers-operated mines. De Beers and its subsidiaries own mines that produce some 40% of annual world diamond production. For most of the 20th century over 80% of the world's rough diamonds passed through De Beers,

FRONTLINE examines how the great myth about the scarcity of diamonds and their inflated value was created and maintained over the decades by the diamond cartel. This report chronicles how one family, the Oppenheimers of South Africa, gained control of the supply, marketing, and pricing of the world’s diamonds. (Excerpt from pbs.org)

Watch the full documentary now

In mineralogy, diamond (from the ancient Greek ἀδάμας – adámas "unbreakable") is an allotrope of carbon, where the carbon atoms are arranged in a variation of the face-centered cubic crystal structure called a diamond lattice. Diamond is less stable than graphite, but the conversion rate from diamond to graphite is negligible at ambient conditions. Diamond is renowned as a material with superlative physical qualities, most of which originate from the strong covalent bonding between its atoms. In particular, diamond has the highest hardness and thermal conductivity of any bulk material. Those properties determine the major industrial application of diamond in cutting and polishing tools.

In some of the more politically unstable central African and west African countries, revolutionary groups have taken control of diamond mines, using proceeds from diamond sales to finance their operations. Diamonds sold through this process are known as conflict diamonds or blood diamonds. Major diamond trading corporations continue to fund and fuel these conflicts by doing business with armed groups. In response to public concerns that their diamond purchases were contributing to war and human rights abuses in central and western Africa, the United Nations, the diamond industry and diamond-trading nations introduced the Kimberley Process in 2002. The Kimberley Process aims to ensure that conflict diamonds do not become intermixed with the diamonds not controlled by such rebel groups. This is done by requiring diamond-producing countries to provide proof that the money they make from selling the diamonds is not used to fund criminal or revolutionary activities. Although the Kimberley Process has been moderately successful in limiting the number of conflict diamonds entering the market, some still find their way in. Conflict diamonds constitute 2–3% of all diamonds traded. Two major flaws still hinder the effectiveness of the Kimberley Process: (1) the relative ease of smuggling diamonds across African borders, and (2) the violent nature of diamond mining in nations that are not in a technical state of war and whose diamonds are therefore considered "clean".

The Canadian Government has set up a body known as Canadian Diamond Code of Conduct to help authenticate Canadian diamonds. This is a stringent tracking system of diamonds and helps protect the "conflict free" label of Canadian diamonds.

--- Diamond Engagement Rings

Pearl jewelries have different standards of quality than other types of jewelry. Before you try to purchase pearls online, familiarize yourself with the different levels of quality and options available to you.

If you want your jewelry to make a statement, try a single strand of pearls, a pair of pearl earrings or a pearl bracelet. You can find great deals on pearls online if you know where to look. Follow these online pearl shopping tips so you can get the best quality for your price range.

1. Tahitian. Also known as black pearls, these are actually available in a variety of deep colors, ranging from gray to black to green—even blue or aubergine. They're formed by black-lipped oysters indigenous to the islands of French Polynesia. Black pearls carry a hefty price tag, as they're less abundant than some other pearl types.

2. Akoya. When you think of classic pearls, these are the ones that come to mind. They're relatively petite, wonderfully lustrous and typically white or cream—but can also be found in pastel and silvery shades. Akoya pearls, created by the smallest type of pearl oyster, are harvested in Japan and China.

3. Freshwater Pearls. Derived from freshwater mussels, these pearls are abundant—and more affordable. They come in a variety of shapes and in a rainbow of pale, pastel colors, so there's a freshwater pearl to suit everyone.

4. South Sea Pearls. These big, satiny pearls are grown in Australia, the Philippines and other Pacific countries. South Sea pearls come from large silver- or gold-lipped oysters, and their color ranges from white to gold. Because they're rare and sizable, they command premium prices.

Pearls for your Wedding Day

When it comes to wedding-day jewelry, you can't go wrong with a classic string of pearls. It pays to be prepared when you shop for that perfect strand of pearls for your wedding-day jewelry. Here are the basics you should know:

1. Cultured pearls are real pearls. The term "cultured" does not mean "man-made." It means your pearls have been produced by a pearl farmer as opposed to being formed naturally in oysters. About 99% of the pearls sold today are cultured.

2. Figure out what you're willing to spend on your wedding-day jewelry. There's a strand of pearls to suit every budget.

3. Have a sense of the style you'd like—a choker (14 to 16 inches long), a princess (17 to 19 inches), a stylish triple strand à la Jacqueline Kennedy, something fabulously long and ropey—and also consider how it will work with the neckline of your wedding dress.

Where to Shop for Pearls Online?

What are faux pearls? Are they the cheapest you can get? Faux, or "simulated," pearls are machine-made from a variety of products, including glass and plastic compounds. Many are downright cheap—we've seen them go for $3.50 at tag sales. But most jewelry designers no longer use imitation pearls, because they have poor luster. Instead, they choose freshwater pearls, which are of better quality and don't cost a fortune. If you're truly on a shoestring budget, you can find a fabulous freshwater pearl necklace for under $100. Below is the Top 10 online pearl jewelry stores based on price, quality, customer service and range of jewelry products. Check them out!

1. Mikimoto

Famous, international pearl retailer. Check out their pearl strands, necklaces and pendants, earrings, bracelets, brooches, pieces for men or browse their designer collections such as the Akoya or Elements of Life. Second-day delivery available.

2. American Pearl

Retailer of flawless pearls. White, black, and golden South Sea, freshwater, and Mabe pearls, or browse rings, bracelets, earrings, pendants, and necklaces. Also check out variable length pearls.

3. Pearl Paradise

Shop for saltwater pearls, exotic natural pearls, loose pearls, Golden South Sea, South Sea and Tahitian pearls, and freshwater pearls by category. Check out pearl guides-- pearl history, pearl quality, and pearl care -- for more information.

4. Pearl Outlet

Large selection of Tahitian pearls, Akoya pearls, and freshwater pearls in necklaces, earrings, bracelets, pendants, and rings. 30-day unconditional return policy. The company is family owned and operated. Pieces by famous jewelry designers.

5. Pure Pearls

Akoya, Tahitian, and freshwater pearls. Shop by category or check out their pearl jewelry sets or wedding jewelry. Buy custom pearl strands and create a family heirloom that will last for years to come. Join the free newsletter for articles and specials.

6. Pearls.com

"Your source to all things pearl." Pearl earrings, pendants, rings, and bracelets, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Free shipping when order is picked up at a local jeweler. Visit the forums to find out what other pearl enthusiasts are buying.

7. Pearl Oasis

Online pearl retailer. Search for pearl necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, and pendants, or design a custom necklace or bracelet. Check out a comparison of famous brands or find out the latest pearl fashion trends. Offers a 30-day return policy.

8. The Pearl People

Large selection of saltwater pearls, Tahitians, and freshwater pearls. Check out the pearl buying guide or browse the specials. Many selections for weddings, anniversaries and gift giving. A good place to find the tone and clarity of high quality pearls.

9. ice.com

Large selection of pearl jewelry, organized by pearl type, gold type, kind of jewelry, and price. Be sure to check out the beautiful and unique cultured chocolate Tahitian pearl with pink gold chain and setting for under $200.00.

10. Samantha Rose Designs

Your source for unique, handmade pearl necklaces, pearl earrings, pearl bracelets, bridal jewelries and limited edition pearl jewelry pieces. Sort by price or narrow by category. 30-day returns and free shipping on orders. Site offers a safe shopping guarantee. Get a free pouch with every purchase.

Quick Tips on Appraising Pearl Jewelries

To be a savvy shopper, consider these qualities when perusing pearls:

1. LUSTER. The more the pearl “glows” and shines, the better its quality. Low-luster pearls will appear chalky or dull.

2. SURFACE. A pearl with a cleaner, more flawless surface, without any blemishes, spots, cracks or bumps, is more desirable and will have a greater value.

3. SIZE. A pearl’s size is measured by its diameter in millimeters; the average measures between 7 and 7.5 mm. Generally, a larger pearl is rarer, and therefore will cost more than a smaller one.

4. SHAPE. Because pearls are formed naturally, they’re seldom perfectly spherical—although they may appear so at first glance—and if they are, they’re very pricey.

---- How to Buy Pearl Jewelry Online

Novell Design Studio, an American wedding band manufacturer that specializes in wedding band customization, is proud to present the latest digital edition of The Jewelry Book. Both consumers and retailers can learn about a wide variety of jewelry manufacturers and designers that are either well established within or relatively new to the jewelry industry. The Jewelry Book also includes interesting articles about such topics as why platinum is a top seller for bridal jewelry, and the new “Jewelry Made in America” initiative.

Enjoy the digital edition of The Jewelry Book. Readers can also download a PDF version to print out images, articles and other information that may be helpful when shopping for jewelry.

Starting the “Jewelry Made in America” Initiative

The future of jewelry that is made in America is at a critical juncture! It is through our initiative, “Jewelry Made in America” that we can insure the continuation of the fine history of American design, craftsmanship, and service that should make us leaders in our industry worldwide for generation after generation.

During these challenging economic times, many companies have turned to relying on importing products fabricated from overseas vendors simply to lower their cost. In the process they have often sacrificed quality and service. Our customers -- the better chain stores and independent jewelers -- are ultimately paying the steepest price with inferior finished product, disappointing customer service and long and often costly delays.

There is a dire need for us to unite in one advertising voice promoting the pride and master craftsmanship of the American jewelry manufacturer. Although jewelry is generally thought of as being strictly a luxury item, according to TheWeddingReport.com approximately 2.2 million American couples need wedding bands and other bridal-related jewelry each year. Buying jewelry that is made in America can help bridge the gap to the stronger economic times that are down the road. However, keep in mind that the phrase “Made in America” alone is not enough of a deciding factor. As creators of fine jewelry, new levels of standards should be met and the definition of “Made in America” really should be that buying an American made product means buying the absolute best.

Why is “Made in America” Important?

During the month of June 2009, Google Adwords keyword tool shows that over 200,000 Internet searchers looked for information pertaining to the keywords “American made.” An additional 30 million consumers searched for the term “jewelry.” However, there currently is a little relevant or real information pertaining to jewelry that is made in America. This actually presents a great opportunity for companies to literally create a new category to help gain advantage against other competitors that can not say that their goods are American made. With a glut of information clogging the Internet, publications and airwaves, a “Jewelry Made in America” initiative can easily make your company stand out from others in your same category. It is, in fact, an additional and often overlooked selling point.

Criteria for Participation

To be involved with the “Jewelry Made in America” initiative, designers and manufacturers should be able to say that their promoted product line or merchandise is designed and assembled domestically by American-based craftsmen, and not imported from overseas or fashioned using labor from sources outside of the country. Products that are just finished in the United States do not qualify. While we understand that the raw materials may only be available from overseas resources, the emphasis of this project is about American workmanship and overall quality.

---The Jewelry Book pdf download

Jade is an ornamental stone. The term jade is applied to two different metamorphic rocks that are made up of different silicate minerals. Jade refers to two different minerals—jadeite and nephrite.

Nephrite consists of a microcrystaline interlocking fibrous matrix of the calcium, magnesium-iron rich amphibole mineral series tremolite (calcium-magnesium)-ferroactinolite (calcium-magnesium-iron). The middle member of this series with an intermediate composition is called actinolite (the silky fibrous mineral form is one form of asbestos). The higher the iron content the greener the colour.

Jadeite is a sodium- and aluminium-rich pyroxene. The gem form of the mineral is a microcrystaline interlocking crystal matrix.

Both stones are rocks (aggregates) -- masses of tightly interlocking crystals. However, they have different chemical composition and properties. Jadeite is a little harder and denser, and as result can take a higher polish than nephrite. Neither stone is very hard, compared to diamond and ruby. However, both jades are unusually tough—resistant to breakage and chipping. Nephrite, however, is slightly stronger.

Jadeite is more valuable and rare than nephrite. When it’s very translucent and has a strong emerald-green color, it’s often called imperial jade. Jadeite is found in a variety of colors—lavender, white, gray, yellow, orange, brownish—red, black and many shades of green. Today, jadeite is usually the jade chosen for fine jewelry. Its intrinsic value is generally the basis for its price. Nephrite, on the other hand, is mainly valued for its antiquity and carving excellence.

Nephrite is plentiful and most of it is grayish green—typically forest green or olive green. It can also be white, gray, black, brown, yellow, or beige. Most nephrite is very affordable. For example, you can easily find nephrite costume jewelry ranging from $10 to $50. The antique value of old nephrite pieces often outweighs their intrinsic worth.

Many minerals are sold as jade. Some of these are: serpentine (also bowenite), carnelian, aventurine quartz, glass, grossularite, Vesuvianite, soapstone (and other steatites such as shoushan stone) and recently, Australian chrysoprase. "Korean jade," "Suzhou jade," "Styrian jade," "Olive jade", and "New jade" are all really serpentine; "Transvaal jade" or "African jade" is grossularite; "Peace jade" is a mixture of serpentine, stichtite, and quartz; "Mountain jade" is dyed dolomite marble.



Evaluation and Identification of Jade Jewelry: Fake or Genuine?


COLOR: An intense green with a medium-to-medium—dark tone is most valued. As the color becomes lighter, darker, more grayish or brownish or yellowish, the value decreases. Lavender is the next most valued hue, followed by red and yellow, white and black. Prior to the importation of Burmese jadeite into china, white nephrite was the most coveted jade.

Green nephrite is typically grayish, blackish, or brownish. The more it approaches a pure green, the more desirable it is.

COLOR UNIFORMITY: In top quality jade, the color is uniform throughout the stone. The more uneven or blotchy the color is, the lower the value. Multi-colored jade, however, can be very expensive if the colors are intense and distinct. The most desired color combinations are green and lavender, arrange and green, or white with strong green (moss-in-snow jade).

TRANSPARENCY: The best jade is near either transparent or highly translucent. As the transparency of jade decrease, so does its value, with opaque jade being worth the least.

CLARITY: Fine jade is free of flaws such as cracks, included foreign material, and spots which reduce beauty or durability. The number, size, color, position, and nature of flaws determine the clarity of stone. Cracks that break the surface or that are visible internally are particularly detrimental to the value.

TEXTURE: Since jade is composed of interwoven crystal, it can have texture that ranges from fine to coarse. The finer and more tightly interwoven the crystal components are, the better the jade.

SHAPE: The best jade is cut into cabochons. Ovals and rounds normally sell for more than rectangular, marquise and pear shapes. Smooth uncarved pieces are more valuable than carved ones. Carving allows the removal of flaws from inferior material.

CUT QUALITY: Moderately curved cabochons tend to be more valued than flat or very high ones. Symmetrically cabochons with balanced proportions are the most desired. Intricate, high-quality carving is naturally more valued than shoddy, quick carving.

SIZE: Since large, fine quality jadeite is rare, size plays a role in increasing its value. The thickness of good jadeite is also important. If a jadeite cabochon is thinner than 2 mm or smaller than 8 x 6 mm, there can be considerable deduction in its per-carat value.

POLISH & FINISH: The more brilliant the polish and the smoother the surface, the better the stone is.



Treatments of Jade Jewelry


Waxing: This is commonly done after the final polish to improve luster and hide pits and cracks. Heat and strong solvents will undo this treatment. Material will only a superficial waxing is often called A Jade and is well-accepted by the trade.

Dyeing: This is done to add green or lavender color to white or light-colored jade. Blueberry juice is a common dye for lavender jade. It looks good at first but it can fade in sunlight. Dyed jade is called C Jade and is not accepted as fine jade.

Heating: Dark green nephrite may be treated by this method to lighten the color of dark-green material. Red jade can be heated to increase redness, but the usual result is a dull brown, and transparency is reduced in the process.

Bleaching and polymer impregnation: This relatively new treatment removes brown from jade, making whiter colors whiter and green colors brighter. The jade is first soaked and bleached in chemicals. Then the bleached jade is impregnated with a wax or synthetic resin to fill voids created from the bleaching process. The resulting material is called B Jade. Sometimes dye is used before impregnation and other times it’s added to the filter. Don’t plan on handling bleached jade down to future generations; it has durability problems and will discolor with time.

Major sources: Myanmar has been the main source of jadeite since the late 18th century. Some jadeite is also mined in Russia, Japan, California; but the finest quality comes from Myanmar.

The oldest known source of nephrite is Xinjiang Province in China. Nephrite is also found in New Zealand, Taiwan, British, Columbia, Australia, Poland, Germany, India, Zimbabwe, Mexico, Alaska, California and Wyoming.

BEWARE: Sellers are supposed to disclose treatments but not all do. Therefore ask for treatment information, particularly when buying high-priced jadeite. If a store claims their jade is only waxed and otherwise untreated, have them write this on the receipt. If you’re buying quality jade jewelry, check if it has open back setting to let it light through the stone. Closed backs are typically a sign that the jade is of low value or that something is being hidden. For example, it might be hiding the back of a jadeite triplet—an assembled stone consisting of a thin hollow cabochon of translucent grayish-white jadeite that’s coated inside with a thin, green jelly-like substance and cemented to a piece of flat oval jade. When mounted it looks like an imperial jadeite cabochon. You’re much more likely to encounter dyed jade, than jadeite triplets.

Some common jade imitations are serpentine, chrysoprase, glossular garnet and dyed chalcedomy.

Care tips: Jade can be safely cleaned in soapy water, ultrasonics and steamers. It reacts slightly to warm acids. Since jade has a lower hardness than gems such as sapphire, emerald, and topaz, it can be scratched more easily. Jewelers can eliminate the scratches and restore the luster by polishing the jade.

Jade, however, is very durable. In fact, there is no other gem that’s as resistant to breakage and chipping as jade.



Enhancement of Jade Jewelry


Jade may be enhanced (sometimes called "stabilized"). Note that some merchants will refer to these as Grades, but it is important to bear in mind that degree of enhancement is different from colour and texture quality. In other words, Type A jadeite is not enhanced but can have poor colour and texture. There are three main methods of enhancement, sometimes referred to as the ABC Treatment System:

1) Type A jadeite has not been treated in any way except surface waxing.

2) Type B treatment involves exposing a promising but stained piece of jadeite to chemical bleaches and/or acids and impregnating it with a clear polymer resin. This results in a significant improvement of transparency and colour of the material. Currently, infrared spectroscopy is the most accurate test for the detection of polymer in jadeite.

3) Type C jade has been artificially stained or dyed. The red colour of Red jade can be enhanced with heat. The effects are somewhat uncontrollable and may result in a dull brown. In any case, translucency is usually lost.

4) B+C jade is a combination of B and C: it has been both artificially dyed AND impregnated.

5) Type D jade refers to a composite stone such as a doublet comprising a jade top with a plastic backing.



---how to identify jade jewelry (jadeite & nephrite)