During the early 1980s, the Hong Kong jade market was flooded with chemically treated and resin impregnated jadeite or “Fei Cui” (known as Type B in the industry). It was difficult to distinguish Type B from Type A (Natural Jadeite) by standard gemmological testing and consumers’ confidence was affected. Therefore, the Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association (formerly known as the Hong Kong Jade and Stone Manufacturers Association) established the Hong Kong Jade & Stone Laboratory Ltd. (HKJSL) in 1993. Equipped with the most advanced instrumentation, including an infra-red spectrometer, the experienced gemmologists of HKJSL can test jade accurately and issue authenticated certificates to the public.
TYPE A (NATURAL JADEITE OR “FEI CUI”)
Refers to natural jadeite which has not been subjected to any form of chemical treatment.
Note: To polish natural jadeite with colourless wax, which does not cause any damage to the crystalline structure of the jadeite, shall not be classified as a chemical treatment.
TYPE B (CHEMICALLY TREATED AND RESIN IMPREGNATED JADEITE)
Refers to jadeite which has been chemically treated and resin impregnated.
TYPE C (DYED JADEITE)
Refers to jadeite which has been treated with dye.
TYPE B+C (CHEMICALLY TREATED, RESIN IMPREGNATED AND DYED JADEITE)
Refers to jadeite which has been chemically treated, resin impregnated and dyed.
