The Ultimate Jadeite Glossary 翡翠专业术语大全（中英对照版）
200+ Essential Jadeite Terms Explained in English and Chinese
Whether you are a jade collector, jewelry enthusiast, gemstone investor, or simply curious about jadeite, understanding professional jade terminology is essential.
This comprehensive bilingual glossary explains the most important jadeite terms used by traders, collectors, appraisers, and jewelry brands worldwide.
无论您是翡翠收藏家、珠宝爱好者、投资者，还是刚开始接触翡翠的新手，本指南将帮助您快速理解翡翠行业最常见的专业术语。
What Is Jadeite?
什么是翡翠？
Jadeite is a pyroxene mineral and one of the two minerals commonly referred to as jade.
In Chinese, the word “翡翠” specifically refers to jadeite, while nephrite (软玉) is a different mineral altogether.
The highest-quality jadeite has traditionally been sourced from Myanmar (Burma), although Guatemala has emerged as an important source in recent years.
翡翠（Jadeite）属于辉石矿物，是国际珠宝市场中两大“玉石”体系之一。另一种常见玉石为软玉（Nephrite）。
Jade vs Jadeite vs Nephrite
玉、翡翠与软玉的区别
Gemologically, jade refers to two distinct minerals: jadeite and nephrite. The distinction was formally identified in the 19th century and remains the foundation of modern jade classification. （source=www.gemstones.com）
|
Chinese |
English |
|---|---|
|
玉 |
Jade |
|
翡翠 |
Jadeite |
|
软玉 |
Nephrite |
|
硬玉 |
Jadeite |
|
缅甸翡翠 |
Burmese Jadeite |
|
危地马拉翡翠 |
Guatemalan Jadeite |
Important:
Many Western consumers use the word “jade” to refer to all jade materials. However, jadeite and nephrite have different mineral compositions, appearances, and market values.
Jadeite Rough Stone Terminology
翡翠原石专业术语
Rough Stone（原石）
A jadeite rough stone refers to jadeite material before cutting and processing.
Opened Window（开窗）
A polished section intentionally opened on a rough stone to reveal internal color and texture.
Skin Removal（去皮）
The process of removing part of the weathered outer skin to expose jadeite underneath.
Sliced Piece（片料）
A slab cut from rough jadeite used for bangles, pendants, and carvings.
Leftover Piece（边角料）
Remaining material after primary cutting, often used for beads and small carvings.
Jadeite Texture & Transparency Guide
翡翠种水大全
In Chinese jadeite evaluation, “种 type” refers to crystal structure, while “水头 water” refers to transparency.
种决定结构，水决定通透感。
Glass-Type Jadeite（玻璃种）
Glass-Type Jadeite is considered the highest grade of jadeite texture.
Characteristics:
- Exceptional transparency
- Extremely fine crystal structure
- Strong luster
- Rare and valuable
Related Searches:
- What is Glass-Type Jadeite?
- Is Glass-Type Jadeite expensive?
Icy-Type Jadeite（冰种）
Icy-Type Jadeite offers strong transparency and a cool, crystalline appearance.
Characteristics:
- Highly translucent
- Clear and refreshing appearance
- Popular among collectors
High-Icy Jadeite（高冰）
A premium category between Glass-Type and Icy-Type jadeite.
Fine Icy Jadeite（糯冰种）
Combines characteristics of both icy and milky textures.
Sticky Rice-Type Jadeite（糯种）
Milky appearance with softer transparency.
Fine Sticky Rice Jadeite（细糯种）
Fine-grained texture with minimal visible crystal particles.
Bean-Textured Jadeite（豆种）
Characterized by coarse crystal grains resembling mung beans.
Usually more affordable.
Porcelain-Type Jadeite（瓷底）
Opaque texture with almost no transparency.
Oily Green Jadeite（油青）
Dark green jadeite with an oily visual effect.
Old Mine Jadeite（老种）
Dense, mature crystal structure with excellent stability.
New Mine Jadeite（新种）
Looser crystal structure with weaker stability.
Jadeite Color Guide
翡翠颜色大全
Color is one of the most important factors affecting jadeite value.
颜色是影响翡翠价值的重要因素之一。
Green Jadeite Series
绿色系
Imperial Green Jadeite（帝王绿）
Imperial Green is widely regarded as the most valuable jadeite color in the world.
Characteristics:
- Rich emerald-green tone
- Strong translucency
- Even color distribution
Also Known As:
- Emperor Green Jade
- Imperial Jade
Bright Green Jadeite（正阳绿）
Bright, vibrant green with strong visual impact.
Spicy Green Jadeite（辣绿）
Highly saturated and intense green.
Apple Green Jadeite（苹果绿）
Fresh green resembling a Granny Smith apple.
Light Green Jadeite（浅绿）
Soft and elegant green coloration.
Greyish Green Jadeite（灰绿）
Green mixed with grey undertones.
Blue-Green Jadeite（蓝绿）
A blend of blue and green hues.
Purple Jadeite Series
紫色系
Lavender Jadeite（紫罗兰）
One of the most beloved jadeite colors among female collectors.
Pinkish Purple Jadeite（粉紫）
Romantic and feminine appearance.
Eggplant Purple Jadeite（茄紫）
Deep purple resembling eggplant skin.
“Die Under Light” Lavender（见光死）
A phenomenon where lavender jadeite appears vivid indoors but becomes lighter under sunlight.
Red & Yellow Jadeite Series
红黄翡系列
Red Jadeite（红翡）
Associated with luck, prosperity, and celebration.
Cockscomb Red（鸡冠红）
Rare vivid red coloration.
Yellow Jadeite（黄翡）
Symbolizes wealth and nobility.
Chicken-Oil Yellow（鸡油黄）
Highly sought-after golden yellow appearance.
Golden Yellow Jadeite（金黄）
Bright yellow resembling gold.
Honey Yellow Jadeite（蜜糖黄）
Warm honey-like yellow coloration.
Blue & White Jadeite Series
蓝色与白色系
Blue Water Jadeite（蓝水）
Blue-toned jadeite with strong transparency.
Sky Water Jadeite（晴水）
Clear and peaceful blue-green tone.
Sea Blue Jadeite（海水蓝）
Resembles tropical ocean water.
Icy White Jadeite（冰白）
White jadeite with strong translucency.
Milky White Jadeite（牛奶白）
Opaque white appearance.
Special Jadeite Varieties
特殊品种
Black Jadeite（墨翠）
Appears black but reveals green under strong light.
Wuji Jadeite（乌鸡种）
Distinctive black-and-white jadeite variety.
Floating Flowers Jadeite（飘花）
Natural color patterns appearing to float within the stone.
Floating Green Flowers（飘绿花）
Green floating patterns.
Floating Blue Flowers（飘蓝花）
Blue floating patterns.
Golden Silk Jadeite（金丝种）
Thin green lines resembling silk threads.
Snowflake Cotton Jadeite（雪花棉）
Natural white inclusions resembling snowflakes.
Unlike ordinary inclusions, premium snowflake cotton may increase collector value.
Jadeite Inclusions & Natural Features
翡翠天然特征与瑕疵
Natural inclusions are common in jadeite and often indicate authenticity.
天然结构并不一定意味着缺陷。
Cotton（棉）
Natural fibrous inclusions commonly found in jadeite.
Cotton Wool（棉絮）
Larger cotton-like formations.
Stone Line（石纹）
A natural growth line that does not necessarily affect durability.
Crack / Fissure（裂纹）
A structural fracture that may affect value and durability.
Internal Crack（内裂）
Crack located inside the stone.
Surface Crack（表皮裂）
Crack visible on the surface.
Inclusion（杂质）
Naturally occurring mineral inclusions.
Mineral Spot（矿点）
Small dark mineral concentrations.
Black Spot（黑点）
Dark mineral inclusions.
Color Root（色根）
The origin point from which color spreads through jadeite.
Color Band（色带）
Color distributed in layers or bands.
Dark Mineral Deposits
Dark oxidized mineral areas often associated with color development.
Type A, B & C Jadeite Explained
A货、B货、C货详解
One of the most searched jadeite topics worldwide.
Type A Jadeite（A货）
100% natural jadeite.
No bleaching.
No resin filling.
No artificial dyeing.
This is the highest standard recognized by collectors.
Type B Jadeite（B货）
Chemically bleached and resin-filled jadeite.
Potential issues:
- Reduced durability
- Yellowing over time
- Lower collector value
Type C Jadeite（C货）
Artificially dyed jadeite.
Color may fade over time.
Type B+C Jadeite
Both chemically treated and dyed.
Generally considered the least desirable category.
Common Treatments
|
Chinese |
English |
|---|---|
|
酸洗 |
Acid Washing |
|
注胶 |
Resin Filling |
|
染色 |
Dyeing |
|
加热 |
Heat Treatment |
|
浸蜡 |
Wax Filling |
|
抛光粉 |
Polishing Powder |
Jadeite Bangle Terminology
翡翠手镯专业术语
Bangle（手镯）
The most iconic jadeite jewelry form.
Round Bangle（圆条）
Traditional fully rounded profile.
Flat Bangle（扁条）
Flat interior for improved comfort.
Princess Bangle（贵妃镯）
Oval-shaped bangle inspired by traditional Chinese aesthetics.
Peace Bangle（平安镯）
Modern flat-profile design.
Square Bangle（方镯）
Angular profile favored by some collectors.
Carved Bangle（雕花镯）
Decorative carved patterns.
Plain Bangle（素面镯）
No carvings, emphasizing material quality.
Three-Color Bangle / Spring color（三彩镯）
Combines three natural jadeite colors.
Fu Lu Shou Bangle（福禄寿镯）
Green, red, and purple combined.
Represents:
- Fortune
- Prosperity
- Longevity
Inner Diameter（圈口）
The internal size of a jadeite bangle.
Width of Bangle（条宽）
Measurement from top to bottom.
Thickness of Bangle（条厚）
Measurement from inner wall to outer wall.
Frequently Asked Questions
常见问题
What is the most valuable jadeite color?
Imperial Green Jadeite is generally considered the most valuable color.
Is Burmese jadeite better than Guatemalan jadeite?
Historically, Burmese jadeite has been regarded as the benchmark for quality. However, exceptional Guatemalan jadeite can also achieve significant market value.
What does “water” mean in jadeite?
In jadeite terminology, “water” refers to transparency, not actual water content.
Is snowflake cotton bad?
Not necessarily. High-quality snowflake cotton can actually enhance rarity and collector appeal.
What is the difference between jade and jadeite?
Jade is a broad term that includes both jadeite and nephrite.
Is Type B jade fake?
Type B jade is genuine jadeite, but it has undergone chemical treatment and is generally worth less than Type A jadeite.
Explore Natural Type A Jadeite
At TATHATĀ, we specialize in natural Type A jadeite sourced through trusted supply chains and transformed into heirloom-quality jewelry.
Whether you are searching for jadeite bangles, pendants, carvings, or custom-made jadeite jewelry, our mission is to share the beauty, culture, and authenticity of jadeite with collectors worldwide.