A Comprehensive Analysis of Inspection and Certification Standards for Jade Products: A Quality Control Guide from Jade Quality Identification to Ancient Jade Authentication

2026年4月3日

I. Inspection and Testing Standards for Soft Jade
1. Artificial Treatment and Counterfeiting of Soft Jade
Soft jade is rarely treated artificially. Since it aims for a pure white color, it does not require coloring. However, as soft jade is a precious gemstone, counterfeits are quite common, such as serpentine jade, quartzite jade, calcite jade, etc. Inspectors need to conduct the inspection based on the following sensory characteristics:
Luster: Characterized by an oily luster, or a glass-like luster with an oily feel.
Structure: Composed of interwoven fibrous small crystals, with sparse and uneven spots visible, and no transparent granular "crystals"
Transparency: Compared to the confusing-looking jade, the transparency of soft jade is relatively poor. It is mostly of a slightly transparent quality, and semi-transparent is already quite rare.
2. Grading of Soft Jade
Premium jade is smooth, transparent, with an oily feel, and has a warm texture when held in hand. During inspection, one can observe the interwoven internal fibers using a magnifying glass or microscope; the particles are fine. Artificial glass has no structure and shows bubbles. By making a shallow cut at an inconspicuous area with a knife, if the cut can be made smoothly, it is a fake jade; if it cannot be made smoothly, it is genuine jade.
3. Origin Identification
Turpan jade is of the highest quality and very expensive; while Qinghai white jade and Russian white jade cost only several thousand yuan per kilogram. The latter has a dull and unrefined color, and becomes even darker over time. During the inspection process, it is necessary to verify the authenticity based on the characteristics of the origin.
II. Inspection and Testing Standards for Jade (Jadeite)
The inspection of jadeite requires a comprehensive approach:

1. Surface characteristics
Flashes: Star-like, linear and sheet-like flashes
Color: Varied and rich in color, which is unique to this gemstone and not found in other stones. When observing the color, one should pay attention to the hue, tone, and distribution of the color combinations.
Luster: Glass luster, oily luster, or luster with oiliness
Transparency: Jade with good water quality is clear and transparent, which is unique among other types of jade.
Touch sensation: The smooth surface touching the face or the edge of the lips gives a cool sensation.
2. Simple identification method
Observe the clouds and fog: When looking at it under the sunlight, there are cloud-like and cotton-like substances inside.
Hardness test: Jade has a high hardness and can leave marks on glass.
Thermal conductivity test: Place a strand of hair on the jade, then light a match and burn it. The hair attached to the jade does not burn off.
3. Differentiation between natural jadeite (A-grade) and treated jadeite (B-grade, C-grade)
B-grade jadeite: Acid-washed and resin-injected jadeite. The original material is poor. The impurities are washed away with strong acid and then resin curing agent is injected. It looks beautiful but the strength is compromised and it is not durable. The price is lower than that of A-grade.
C-grade jadeite: Colored jadeite, the color is artificially added, and the price is lower.
Testing method:
Look at the color: The natural jadeite has a natural color with uneven distribution. The green color extends in a long line. Generally, there is no fluorescence.
Look at the polished surface: The polished surface of natural jadeite is smooth and fine, presenting a strong glass-like luster with an oily sheen. The interwoven structure of inclusions (known as "stone flowers") can be clearly seen.
Listen to the sound: When gently tapping natural jadeite, the sound is clear and melodious; for processed products, the sound is low and dull.
Weight assessment: The density of jadeite is high, and it has a good feel when being handled.
Droplet test: The jadeite has a strong water absorption capacity. After being dropped with water, the water droplets rise to a relatively high position.
The inspectors need to identify goods A, B and C through the aforementioned methods and verify the relevant certification documents.
4. Fake Jade
Common counterfeit products include Australian jade, sodium feldspar jade (water pearl), Ulan jade, Ma jade, etc., as well as completely artificially replicated green glass. During the inspection process, tools such as magnifying glasses and microscopes should be used to identify the differences in structure from the genuine product.
III. Key Points for Verifying Ancient Jade
The identification of ancient jade involves multiple aspects. The inspector needs to comprehensively apply the following methods:
1. Process trace identification
2. Oxidation identification
3. Condensation substance identification
4. Artistic level identification
5. Inlaid color identification (key point)
6. Odor identification
Inlaid color identification is the core of ancient jade inspection. Inlaid color refers to the color change that occurs in ancient jade when it is stored in various environments and comes into contact with other substances over a long period of time, which is a natural qualitative change. For example:

Stored in the red lacquerware, it may be affected by the red color infiltration.
The black lacquer may cause black staining.
The loess may contain traces of a yellowish-brown color due to burial.
Observation method: Under strong white light, the color staining usually occurs at the weak areas or natural cleavage and fissures of the jade. It spreads along the cleavage or fissures, and in severe cases, it can penetrate the entire piece (referred to as "full staining" or "full color penetration"). After polishing and playing with the jade, the color becomes brighter, mostly changing from gray-white to red.
Judgment of authenticity:
The genuine stones have a relatively uniform color and a darker hue; any vivid or disordered coloration is suspicious.
Even for genuine products, if there are cleavages or fractures, the non-contact areas may not necessarily have staining.
The artificial inclusions produced by chemical or physical methods are usually full inclusions or partial inclusions with numerous colors; the artificial inclusions produced by burning are not necessarily located in weak or fissured areas.
High technology may use laser techniques to artificially create colors along cleavages or striations.
If the storage environment is dry or the jade is of dense quality, there will be no staining.
Identification of Old Jade and New Jade
Patina: The surface of old jade has an oxide layer (known as "patina"), resembling the skin of an autumn pear, which is significantly different from the natural color; new jade does not have this.
Carving themes: Ancient jade featured mostly mythological flowers and birds, as well as figures (such as dragons and phoenixes), which were symbols of status and power; New jade often depicted auspicious themes.
IV. Inspection and Certification of the Quality of Jade Articles
The evaluation of the quality of jade articles involves multiple factors. The inspector needs to make a comprehensive judgment:
Evaluation Factors Requirements for Jadeite Requirements for Soft Jade
Color Pure emerald green, the closer to "rich, pure, bright, and uniform", the higher the value White like sheep's fat is superior
Transparency Higher water content is better —
Texture and Structure Thick and fine Thick and fine
Impurities and Blemishes As few as possible are better As few as possible
Size of the Piece 越大 the more precious 越大 the more precious
Workmanship Works by famous artists have higher value Works by famous artists have higher value
Age Ancient artifacts have higher value Ancient artifacts have higher value
Two pieces of the same size and completely natural jadeite or soft jade， due to the differences in the above factors， the prices may vary greatly. Therefore， the inspection and certification report is an important basis for evaluating the value of jade items.
V. Link between Factory Audit and Certification
1. Supplier Capability Assessment (for jade processing or trading enterprises)
During the factory audit, jade suppliers need to focus on assessing the following aspects:
Jade material procurement channels and origin certificates
Quality control of processing techniques (cutting, engraving, polishing)
The obligation to label and inform regarding jade (B/C grade products)
Equipping and calibration of detection equipment (such as magnifying glasses, microscopes, densitometers, etc.)
Qualifications and training of inspectors (such as certificates for gemstone and jade appraisers)
2. Product Certification Requirements
Jade products must meet the relevant certification standards before entering the market:
National Standard: GB/T 16552 "Names of Jewelry and Gemstones", GB/T 16553 "Identification of Jewelry and Gemstones"
International: Can provide authoritative laboratory test reports (such as NGTC, GIA, etc.)
Ancient jade: Requires combined with cultural relic appraisal and certification
During the inspection process, it is necessary to verify whether the products are accompanied by authoritative inspection reports, clearly marked as "Authentic Jadeite", "Natural Soft Jade", etc., to avoid passing off B/C quality products as A quality products.
3. Continuous improvement
Any quality issues discovered during the inspection should be promptly reported to the supplier.
Repetitive issues need to be followed up and rectified through factory inspections.
Establish a quality traceability record to support product certification audits