I don't think this is black jade but the shop insists it is even when I expressed my doubts about it. Can anyone help. The reason I think it's fake is not only how it looks but it also seems soft, it scratched easily with a metal ruler. The shop has good feedback but I really think this is fake.
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:58 pm Posts: 1424 Location: San Marcos, CA
It does not look like jade to me, to granular. But a picture is not a good way to identify a material. Try some of the simple tests available here on the board via the links in the left column menus. Also using the term fake is somewhat accusatory (not that I am saying that is what your saying) without a proper gemological evaluation in hand, the shop I am assuming is the place you acquired it? And they may not have known its true identification. It may be a form of onyx. Just a guess.
Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2010 12:04 am Posts: 257 Location: Idaho
Looks a lot like the grey marble I see a lot for counter work and headstones. Might search for signs of fossil relics which sometimes survive metamorphosis... The seller might not want to take a return if you tested it with acid...
_________________ Lapidarist by Passion Goldsmith by Necessity
Facetron x2 Polymetrics OMF GemCad/GemRay/Gem Cut Studio Matrix 9/Rhino 5, 6, 7 REVO A (still hanging on...) B9 Creator Core 5 Series XL Indutherm MC-15
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
Black jade is usually black nephrite, and your specimen is definitely not nephrite. I would ask the shop owner what he based the identification on. Jadeite's hardness on Mohs scale is 6.5 to 7. Harder than a metal ruler.
Again, I would put the burden of proof on the seller.
Thank you for your replies. abeck you are right it seems it is in-fact marble. I did a density test but the suspicion was confirmed when I found a couple of suppliers in China who export Marble. Unfortunately people are selling it as Black Jade, Burma Jade or Jasper, a couple of sellers are selling it honestly but it is marble.
It's clear it isn't Jade and I understand what glhays is saying (they may not have known its true identification) but if a gemstone expert is selling gemstones as something they are not, it is on them to check and clarify what it is with their mine/supplier before they sell it, it's not the buyers responsibility. Selling marble, which is incredibly common for an extortionate price and claiming it is Jade is not genuine, it's an imitation, counterfeit..fake basically fraud. If I sell you apples but say they are dragon fruit just so I get a better price, I'll get away with it unless of course you know it's not dragon fruit, rubbish example but that's happening in the gem world all the time.
I've come across too many gem sellers claiming to be experts selling fake or heat treated/dyed gemstones claiming they are natural or something else. It's a completely unregulated industry and so many people are getting ripped off.
It's incredibly disheartening as someone who has a passion for collecting gemstones to come across these charlatans again and again. I'd love to have some black Jade in my collection but I literally could be sold anything. Thank you for helping to clarify what my gem shop has actually sent me, I can confidently send it back as marble and ask to be refunded. Thank you
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:58 pm Posts: 1424 Location: San Marcos, CA
Do not get me wrong I do not condone the behavior. Yes you are right its on them and it is a common found issue in the gem industry. Not sure where your seller is but reporting them can help others. Serpentine is also passed off as jade.
My wife and I have a collection of ocean worn black nephrite jade off the central coast here in California, as well as Montana. No jadiete in black.
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot post attachments in this forum