A Beginner’s Guide to Untreated Jade
If you’ve started exploring jadeite jewelry, you’ve probably come across the term “Type A” again and again — often without much explanation of what it actually means. Yet this single classification is one of the most important things to understand before buying any piece of jadeite, whether it’s a bangle, pendant, or pair of earrings.
In this guide, we’ll break down what Type A jadeite really is, how it differs from Type B and Type C, and why it matters so much for both value and longevity.
The Three Types of Jadeite
Jadeite on the market is generally classified into three categories, based on how it has been treated after being mined.
Type A refers to jadeite that is completely natural and untreated. Aside from being cut, carved, and polished, nothing has been done to alter its structure or color. The stone you’re looking at is exactly as nature made it — same density, same color, same durability it has had for millions of years.
Type B jadeite has been chemically treated, usually by bleaching out impurities with acid and then injecting the stone with polymer or resin to fill the resulting gaps. This process can make a low-quality stone look cleaner and more vivid, but it also weakens the stone’s structure. Over time, Type B jadeite can become brittle, change color, or develop a yellowish tinge as the polymer degrades.
Type C jadeite goes a step further — the stone is dyed to enhance or completely change its color, often in addition to the bleaching and polymer treatment used for Type B. The resulting color is artificial and tends to fade or shift over time, sometimes unevenly.
There’s also a combined “B+C” category, where stones are both treated with polymer and dyed.
Why Type A Matters
The difference between Type A and the other categories isn’t just about purity — it has real, practical implications:
Value: Type A jadeite holds and often increases in value over time, much like fine gemstones or precious metals. Type B and C stones are considered decorative rather than investment pieces, and their market value is a fraction of equivalent Type A stones.
Durability: Because Type A jadeite hasn’t had its internal structure compromised by acid treatment, it remains as durable as natural jade has always been — strong enough to be worn daily for generations.
Color Stability: The color in Type A jadeite comes from natural mineral composition (typically chromium for green tones). This color does not fade, change, or require any special care to maintain. Treated stones, by contrast, can change appearance within just a few years.
Cultural and Emotional Significance: In many cultures, jadeite is passed down as a family heirloom, often given as a gift to mark significant life events. A natural Type A piece carries the kind of authenticity and permanence that suits this role — it’s meant to last, and to mean something, for decades.
How Is Type A Jadeite Verified?
Because the difference between Type A and treated jadeite isn’t always visible to the naked eye, especially to a buyer who isn’t a gemologist, certification matters.
A reputable gemological laboratory can test jadeite using techniques such as infrared spectroscopy to detect the presence of polymer, and other methods to confirm the stone hasn’t been chemically altered. A genuine Certificate of Authenticity from a recognized lab will explicitly state that the jadeite is natural and untreated — this is the document to look for when buying any piece marketed as Type A.
What This Means for You as a Buyer
If you’re new to jadeite, the most important habit to build is simple: always ask whether a piece is Type A, and ask for certification. A seller who can’t answer this clearly, or who avoids the question, is a sign to look elsewhere.
Type A jadeite isn’t necessarily the most affordable option — but it is the only option that guarantees what you’re buying is genuinely natural jade, with the durability and lasting value that jadeite has been treasured for throughout history.
At Timeless Gems, every piece in our collection is certified Type A jadeite — natural, untreated, and sourced with care. Browse our collection to see pieces with Certificates of Authenticity, or get in touch if you have questions about a specific item.
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