Book Review: Keverne's "Jade" is the Biggest and Best

JADE by Roger Keverne, Lorenz Books, first published 1991, updated 2011

If you like to do your reading stretched out in bed, pass on this one. It’s a coffee table book that, given legs, could serve as a coffee table. But it is well worth sitting up for, a storehouse of information on jade.

Keverne’s book, a compendium of essays by various experts, is often cited in later reference material. Books about jade may be many but this appears to be the book to own.

The Half Price Books outlet summed it up: "Jade" combines in a single work the most authoritative contemporary jade research and opinion from the world's leading experts, with over 600 photographs of jades from every continent.

Following a general introduction there appear a group of essays on Chinese jade from Post-Neolithic to modern, concluding with “Appraisal of Chinese Jades.” From there we go to the Pacific Rim, followed by the South Pacific, Europe, Burma, the Islamic and Moghul Jades, North America and Meso-America.

Keverne, “one of the world’s leading dealers and authorities,” provides an introduction as well as a chapter on “Some Advice for Buyers and Collectors.”

The book concludes with a “Jade Collections” directory, a glossary, and a thoroughly remarkable bibliography compiled by respected gem expert Capt. John Sinkakas.

“Jade” is peppered with magnificent photos, most of them showing examples exclusive to this book. Keverne notes that emphasis has been placed on “the accuracy of the colour reproduction.”

One critical review asserted that the book does not contain sufficient information of value to the gemologist. Which is a positive in a way, making it accessible to the general reader…

(The illustration is from Amazon. That’s where I found my copy at a reasonable price. Typically the book sells in the $50-$100 range but better deals can be found).

How To Test for Real Jade

There is plenty of advice in circulation about how to test for real jade. In fact, it is almost impossible not to get fooled at some point without benefit of expensive scientific testing. However, there are some basic tests.
Under bright light, examined with a 10-power loupe, is it fibrous? It should be.
Does it chime when clinked against real jade? (A good argument for carrying a lucky pocket stone from Jade Reverie gallery).
Does it feel cold? It should.
Does it feel soapy smooth? Again, the answer should be "yes."
Do you see air bubbles? If so, it's not jade.
To all of that I would add that you should handle and observe as much jade as possible, over time a certain intuition will develop. How reliable? Ask any trader, there's always an element of gamble.
Here is a link to a site where these tips and others may be found: LINK.

$31 Billion Myanmar Jade Industry Benefits Military & Warlords

Quite a few publications have reported on conflict and corruption in Myanmar’s lucrative jade economy. Researchers put the annual market at $31 billion, with most stones smuggled to China. The story focuses on allegations that the trade fails to benefit local Kachin workers while creating vast wealth for a very powerful few. At present there does not appear to be a government response to the charges.

Among publications reporting on the situation is Forbes Magazine.

Jadeite’s Increasing Popularity a Global Phenomenon

The current issue of Style reports on the increasing popularity of jadeite among trend-setters around the world. The article is somewhat suspect given all the bad news in circulation, but maybe we need some good news:

“The younger generation across the globe is also becoming more interested in jadeite pieces. Young A-listers and style icons such as Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence and model Karlie Kloss have been spotted on red carpets wearing modern jadeite jewellery.”

But traditional jade pieces are holding their own as investment: “How well a type of jade fares is a matter of supply and demand. Traditions and depleting sources have led to a price surge in green jadeite. Sin (Ellen Sin, director of jewellery and jadeite at Bonhams Hong Kong) estimates the price for jadeites have increased by three to five times in the past decade.”

Book Review: In Search of Maya Jade

Stone of Kings by Gerard Helferich, Lyons Press, 2012, 286 pages (hardcover).

The subtitle of this book, “In Search of the Lost Jade of the Maya,” delivers a nutshell synopsis.

The Maya treasured jade above gold and left many remarkable artifacts in their “lost” cities. Archaeologists who found the relics could only guess at the source of the jade; there were no deposits anywhere near. Some guessed China, others Atlantis.

Helferich takes on a grand tour of known history and early research, at last arriving at what seems to be an answer, at least a partial answer, in a remote area of Guatemala.

We learn about jade as revered by the Maya as “a storehouse of spiritual energy” possessing a spirit that could intervene in human affairs. It was also considered a medical cure all. We learn that while the Maya favored the stone in brilliant green, while the Olmecs held blue jade in the highest regard.

The book varies in readability, ranging from excellent descriptive passages to sections that seem more like research notes.

Generally speaking though, Stone of Kings is great read, combining scholarship and adventure. Did the author resolve the question of the source of the Maya’s jade? There’s one way to find out: read the book.

Is It Really Hetian Jade? Fakes Abound:

This is a thread from several years ago, very informative in regard to a description often seen of jade items as being Hetian in origin, meaning the item comes from Xinjiang Province in north western China. The description often appears regarding a white pebble or small white ornament, though larger pieces may be found. Given the very high cost of Hetian jade and the popularity in China, it is doubtful that cheap auction material labelled Hetian actually deserves the title. Here is one interesting comment: “Anyone who has carefully watched the jade market over the years knows how skilled the fakers have become and the various tricks they use. The past decade has wrought many changes in the market. It has been volatile.” To learn more visit the ASIAN ARTS FORUM (link).

Is It Really Hand-Carved?

This is a modern “carving” I’ve been researching. It is very cold and heavy like jade and the color seems appropriate. There are little specs of whiteness around the right eye which makes me suspicious. Plus I've seen so many slick, smooth pieces like this that are mass produced. It appears to have been dunked in some sort of coating. The seller called it antique but I certainly don’t believe that. My question is: Is it mass produced or, as advertised, hand carved? I haven’t found a good explanation of modern Chinese techniques of mass production. I assume imitation glass jade is poured into a mold, and there are probably other materials used that way. Those that I’ve seen offered in bulk look glassy. I have also seen that much is being done with lasers. Any thoughts most welcome.

Book Review: The Handbook of Jade by Gerald Hemrich

Actually a booklet but filled with information equal to many books on the subject. Even though The Handbook dates to 1966, most of the material remains relevant today.  A great deal of attention is paid to pseudojades, the stones commonly misidentified as jade. Just as an example, you will frequently see listings for jewelry made with “Mexican jade.” Hemrich points out that this could well be adventurine, serpentine, obsidian, travertine (calcite onyx) or soapstone. From my own observation of the market I’d say onyx is a frequent culprit.

The author makes an interesting comment that I will have to research further as it seems contrary to what is found in the marketplace. He says United States law requires that dyed jade be labelled and sold as such. Unfortunately he does not give a citation.

Hemrich does a thorough job on jade locations in the US and worldwide, and provides insight into carving techniques of times past. His information on cutting and polishing is of course dated.

This little 80-page booklet contains a wealth of insights. Typically, collectors who can afford to do so are advised to avoid stones with obvious inclusions; they are common in the marketplace. Of course the more perfect the stone the higher the price, routinely going into the thousands. However, Hemrich notes that certain formations of dendrites or quartz crystals can make a stone more valuable than it might be otherwise.

I’d recently seen it stated positively that there is no such thing as synthetic jade, an assertion I found doubtful, particularly since I had recently bought an alleged synthetic jade cabochon from Thailand. So, I was pleased to see Hemrich’s note: “Dr. George E. Kennedy, a geophysicist of the University of California, produced jade synthetically several years ago … (However) It is highly probably that synthetic jade will remain a laboratory curiosity for the foreseeable future.” So things stood in 1966.

Jade Pillow: the Magic Cure-All for Health Problems and Baldness

Farmers in Liaoning province in Northeastern China, have found enjoyment in having a jade pillow — just as the ancient emperors did (The Xinhua News Agency). Believe it or not, this county actually exports these jade pillows to other countries. As mentioned earlier, traditional Chinese medicine says that jade is good for one’s health. The price per pillow for this health? It costs about $30 US dollars. Who is the target audience for this jade pillow? Most of the people using jade pillows are elder or middle-aged people, for these people in China believe that the fine quality of jade will improve blood circulation to the brain and keep the central nervous system healthy (The Xinhua News Agency). Any confirmed results? A 67-year-old man in this county in China confirmed that after using the jade pillow for nearly one year, black hair started to grow on his head that had been bald for many years (The Xinhua News Agency)!

From the report: Jade and Its Historic and Modern Meanings for Trade

“Worst Year Ever” Say Myanmar Jade Traders

According to the Myanmar Times, the big problem is the absence of Chinese buyers. As mentioned elsewhere, that could be due to austerity measures in China. Or to the crackdown on black market trade. And there are other factors. The article doesn’t go into a lot of detail but notes diminished quality of material available. And there is a problem with new regulations; bidders are required to put some money up front so they won’t just walk away if they don’t like the deal.

Here is the article.