Demystifying Jadeite: A Guide to Natural, Treated, and Imitation Jade (A, B, C, D)

Demystifying Jadeite: A Guide to Natural, Treated, and Imitation Jade (A, B, C, D)

Navigating the world of jadeite can feel like learning a secret language. Terms like A, B, C are more than just letters; they are crucial classifications that define a piece’s nature, value, and longevity. For any collector or admirer of East Asian treasures, understanding these categories is the first and most critical step towards making informed and confident acquisitions.

在翡翠的世界中摸索，有時感覺像在學習一門秘密語言。像 A貨、B貨、C貨 這樣的術語不僅僅是字母；它們是定義一件翡翠本質、價值和耐久性的關鍵分類。對於任何東方瑰寶的收藏家或愛好者來說，理解這些類別是邁出知情且自信收藏的第一步，也是最關鍵的一步。

The Core Classifications: A, B, C, and D

The jadeite trade uses a letter-grade system to denote the level of human intervention. Here is the essential breakdown:

翡翠交易使用字母等級系統來表示人為處理的程度。以下是基本分類：

1. Type A Jadeite – The Natural Treasure

Definition: This refers to completely natural jadeite that has undergone no artificial enhancement whatsoever—no chemical bleaching, no polymer filling, no dyeing. Only traditional mechanical processes like cutting, carving, and polishing are applied.
定義： 這指的是 完全天然的翡翠 ，未經任何人為處理——沒有化學漂白、沒有聚合物填充、沒有染色。僅經過切割、雕刻和拋光等傳統物理加工。

Characteristics: It retains its inherent structure. Under magnification, you can see its natural, interlocking grain. Its luster is sharp and vitreous to oily. Over time, its color remains stable, and it may develop a warmer, richer patina with skin contact.
特徵： 它保留了其固有的結構。在放大鏡下，可以看到其天然的、交織的顆粒。光澤銳利，呈玻璃光澤至油脂光澤。隨着時間推移，其顏色保持穩定，並可能因皮膚接觸而發展出更溫潤的包漿。
Value Proposition: Type A represents the highest standard for collection and investment. Its value spans a vast range, from everyday pieces to museum-quality imperial green jade, determined by color, transparency (“water”), texture, and craftsmanship.
價值定位： A貨是收藏和投資的最高標準。 其價值範圍極廣，從日常佩飾到博物館級的帝王綠翡翠，取決於顏色、透明度（「水頭」）、質地和工藝。

2. Type B Jadeite – The “Beautified” Stone

Definition: This is jadeite that has been chemically bleached and impregnated with polymer resin. The process typically involves:
定義： 這是經過 化學漂白並注入聚合物樹脂 的翡翠。處理過程通常包括：

Acid Bath: Soaking low-quality, stained, or yellowish jadeite in strong acid to dissolve iron oxides and impurities, which also leaves it porous and brittle.
酸洗： 將低品質、有雜色或偏黃的翡翠浸泡在強酸中，以溶解氧化鐵和雜質，這也會使其結構疏鬆、變脆。
Polymer Filling: Injecting clear polymer resin (e.g., epoxy) into the cavities to improve transparency (making it look more “watery”) and stability.
樹脂填充： 將透明聚合物樹脂（如環氧樹脂）注入孔隙中，以提高透明度（使其看起來更「水潤」）和穩定性。

Visual Clues: The surface may show a “web-like” or “crazed” texture under magnification. The luster can be duller or waxy compared to A货’s sharp shine. Long-term, the resin may yellow, crack, or degrade, especially if exposed to heat or strong light.
鑑別特徵： 在放大鏡下，表面可能呈現 「蛛網狀」或「龜裂」紋理 。光澤相比A貨的銳利光亮可能 較為暗淡或呈蠟狀 。長期來看，樹脂可能會變黃、開裂或老化，尤其是在接觸高溫或強光的情況下。
Collector’s Note: B货 is not considered collectible in the traditional sense. It is an affordable, aesthetic option for fashion jewelry but has little to no investment value and requires careful upkeep.
收藏建議： B貨 不具備傳統意義上的收藏價值 。它是時尚珠寶的一種經濟美觀選擇，但 幾乎沒有投資價值 ，且需要小心維護。

3. Type C Jadeite – The Colored Deception

Definition: This is jadeite that has been artificially dyed to enhance or introduce color. It often starts as low-quality, porous white jadeite (or even B货 after acid washing). Dyes are forced into the cracks and pores.
定義： 這是經過 人工染色 以改善或增加顏色的翡翠。它通常始於低品質、結構疏鬆的白色翡翠（甚至是酸洗後的B貨）。染料被壓入裂紋和孔隙中。

Visual Clues: The color often appears unnaturally vivid, concentrated along fractures (“spider-web color”), and may fade or change over time. Using a spectroscope or even a strong flashlight, dye concentrations in cracks may be visible.
鑑別特徵： 顏色通常 過於鮮豔、不自然，且沿裂縫集中分佈 （「蛛網狀顏色」），隨時間可能褪色或改變。使用分光鏡甚至強光手電筒，可能看到裂縫中的染料富集。
Collector’s Note: Type C is primarily decorative costume jewelry. Its commercial value is very low, and it is not durable. It should be clearly identified as dyed jade.
收藏建議： C貨本質上是 裝飾性服飾珠寶 。其商業價值很低，且不持久。應明確標識為染色翡翠。

4. Type D – The Outright Imitation

This is a modern addition to the lexicon, referring to items that are not jadeite at all but other materials made to imitate it.
這是現代詞彙的補充，指 完全不是翡翠 ，而是其他仿冒材料製成的物品。

Common Imitations in the Market

Beyond A, B, C, be aware of these common look-alikes:
除了A、B、C貨，還需留意這些常見仿品：

仿品名稱 Imitation Name	真實材質 Actual Material	關鍵鑑別特徵 Key Identifying Features
馬來西亞玉 Malaysian Jade	染色石英岩 / 脫玻化玻璃 Dyed Quartzite / Devitrified Glass	顏色呈絲網狀分佈；比重較輕；玻璃光澤過於均一呆板。濾色鏡下可能變紅。
鍍膜翡翠 Coated Jadeite	無色翡翠表面貼綠色薄膜 Colorless jadeite coated with green film	顏色均勻但不自然，表面無顆粒感；刀片或指甲可刮傷膜層；邊緣或有薄膜脫落。
玻璃仿品 Glass Imitation	各種綠色玻璃 Green glass of various types	內部常有氣泡；手感輕；斷口呈貝殼狀（玻璃斷口）；熱導率低，觸感溫慢。

Decoding “Old Jade” vs. “New Jade”

The terms “Old Jade” (老玉) and “New Jade” (新玉) are highly ambiguous in the market and can mislead beginners. They can refer to:
市場上「老玉」和「新玉」的說法非常模糊，容易誤導新手。它們可能指：

Mine Source: “Old pit” (老坑) vs. “new pit” (新坑) material, relating to historical vs. newer mining locations.
礦源： 「老坑」料與「新坑」料，與歷史礦區和新礦區有關。
Quality: Historically, finer texture, richer color, and better transparency were called “old,” implying superior quality.
品質： 歷史上，質地更細膩、顏色更濃郁、透明度更好的被稱為「老」，意指品質更優。
Processing Time: Antique pieces vs. modern carvings.
加工時間： 古董件與現代雕件。
Misleading Usage: Sometimes incorrectly used to denote天然A货 (called “old”) vs. B/C货 (called “new”).
誤導性用法： 有時被錯誤地用於指代天然A貨（稱為「老玉」）與B/C貨（稱為「新玉」）。

For the collector, the A/B/C/D system is a far more reliable and clear indicator of a piece’s authenticity and treatment than the vague “old” and “new” labels.
對於收藏家而言，A/B/C/D系統是比模糊的「老玉」「新玉」標籤更可靠、更清晰的指標，用於判斷翡翠的真實性和處理情況。

Your Actionable Guide: How to Protect Yourself

Demand Transparency: Always ask the seller for clear terminology: “Is this natural Type A jadeite?” Reputable sellers will disclose treatments.
尋求透明資訊： 始終向賣家詢問清晰的術語：「這是天然 A貨翡翠 嗎？」信譽良好的賣家會披露處理情況。
Invest in Certification: For any significant purchase, require a report from a reputable gemological laboratory (e.g., GIA, NGTC, GUBELIN). The report will explicitly state if the jadeite is natural (Type A) or treated (B, C).
投資於證書： 對於任何重要購買， 要求權威寶石鑑定實驗室出具的證書 （例如GIA、NGTC、GUBELIN）。證書將明確說明翡翠是天然（A貨）還是經過處理（B貨、C貨）。
Educate Your Eye: Learn the basic visual clues mentioned above. Carry a simple 10x jeweler’s loupe to examine texture and surface integrity.
訓練眼力： 學習上述基本鑑別特徵。隨身攜帶一個 10倍寶石放大鏡 來檢查質地和表面結構。
Buy from Reputable Sources: Platforms like Virtucasa that specialize in authentic Eastern collectibles prioritize transparency and seller vetting, reducing risk.
從信譽良好的管道購買： 像Virtucasa這樣專注於正宗東方收藏品的平台，會優先考慮透明度和賣家審核，從而降低風險。

By mastering this ABCs of jadeite, you transform from a passive buyer into a knowledgeable connoisseur, capable of appreciating not just the beauty of the stone, but also the story of its origin and integrity.

掌握這些翡翠的基礎知識，你將從被動的買家轉變為知識淵博的鑑賞家，不僅能欣賞寶石之美，更能理解其來源與真實性的故事。

Demystifying Jadeite: A Guide to Natural, Treated, and Imitation Jade (A, B, C, D)