Apart from certain varieties of diamonds, Jade is the world’s most expensive gemstone surpassing gold, sapphires, and even ruby. Lower-quality jade can start from around $10 USD per carat, $22,000 per pound, and $48,000 per kilogram. High-quality jade with vivid color and excellent translucency can fetch prices upwards of several hundred or even thousands of dollars per carat.
The price of jade is determined by considering multiple factors. This guide will discuss all of them in detail to help you make an informed decision on selling or buying one of Asia’s most popular gemstones.
The Price of Jade
Let’s take a look at the price of jade based on different units, colors, and areas of origin.
Price of Jade By Unit
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Here’s the price of jade in different units:
- Per carat: $5-1,000 (U.S Dollar), ¥35-6,900 (Chinese Yuan), and K10,448-2,089,743 (Myanmar Kyat)
- Per gram: $25-5,000, ¥172-34,531, and K52,243-10,448,715
- Per ounce: $750-140,000, ¥5,179-966,868, and K1,567,307-292,564,020
- Per pound: $11,000-2,200,000, ¥75,968-15,193,640, and K22,987,173-4,597,434,600
- Per kilogram: $24,000-4,800,000, ¥165,748-33,149,760, and K50,153,832-10,030,766,400
| Unit | Price In USD | Price In Chinese Yuan | Price In Myanmar Kyat |
| Per Carat | $5-1,000 | ¥35-6,900 | K10,448-2,089,743 |
| Per Gram | $25-5,000 | ¥172-34,531 | K52,243-10,448,715 |
| Per Ounce | $750-140,000 | ¥5,179-966,868 | K1,567,307-292,564,020 |
| Per Pound | $11,000-2,200,000 | ¥75,968-15,193,640 | K22,987,173-4,597,434,600 |
| Per Kilogram | $24,000-4,800,000 | ¥165,748-33,149,760 | K50,153,832-10,030,766,400 |
Price of Jade By Color
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Jade comes in a wide variety of colors, each with its own price tag.
- Pink: $500 to $2,000 per carat
- Lavender: $500 to $2,000 per carat
- Orange: $500 to $2,000 per carat
- White: $100 to $500 per carat
- Black: $500 to $1,000 per carat
- Red: $1,000 to $10,000 per carat (depending on the shade and quality)
- Purple: $500 to $2,000 per carat
- Grey: $100 to $500 per carat
- Light green: $500 to $2,000 per carat
- Yellow: $500 to $2,000 per carat
- Blue: $1,000 to $10,000 per carat (depending on the shade and quality)
- Brown: $100 to $500 per carat
- Spinach (a type of green jade with a darker, mottled appearance): $500 to $2,000 per carat
- Dark green: $500 to $2,000 per carat
- Mutton fat (a type of white jade with a greasy appearance): $1,000 to $5,000 per carat
It’s important to note that these are general price ranges and that the exact price of a jade gemstone can vary widely depending on a number of factors. Additionally, the prices listed here are for jadeite, which is typically more valuable than nephrite jade.
Price of Jade By Area of Origin
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The price of a jade gemstone is also affected by its area of origin. Here’s a list of all the countries where jade is produced along with the value of the average gemstones found there.
- Myanmar: Imperial green jade from Myanmar is considered the most valuable type of jade in the world, and can fetch prices of $10,000 or more per carat. Lower-quality jade from Myanmar may sell for $500 to $2,000 per carat.
- Guatemala: Guatemalan jade is highly prized for its vibrant green color, and can sell for $500 to $1,000 per carat.
- Canada: Nephrite jade from Canada is typically lower in value than jadeite, and can sell for $50 to $200 per carat.
- Russia: Russian jade, which is typically nephrite, can sell for $100 to $500 per carat.
- China: Chinese jade is highly valued, and can sell for $500 to $2,000 per carat or more. However, the quality of Chinese jade can vary widely, so prices may be lower for lower-quality stones.
- Kazakhstan: Jade from Kazakhstan is highly prized for its vivid green color, and can sell for $500 to $1,000 per carat.
- Taiwan: Taiwanese jade is highly valued, and can sell for $500 to $2,000 per carat or more.
- New Zealand: New Zealand jade, which is also known as pounamu or greenstone, is highly prized by the Maori people and can sell for $100 to $500 per carat.
How to Value Jade
The value of jade is determined by a range of factors, including color, shape, size, origin, texture, and clarity. Here is a detailed explanation of how these factors affect the value of a jade gemstone.
1. Color
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The most valuable color of jade is a deep, rich green known as “imperial green.” Other shades of green can also be highly valuable, but lighter shades of green or other colors like white, purple, or yellow are generally less valuable. For example, a high-quality imperial green jade bangle could sell for tens of thousands of dollars, while a white jade bangle of the same size and quality may only sell for a few thousand dollars.
2. Shape
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The shape of a jade carving can also affect its value. Complex, detailed carvings are generally more valuable than simple shapes. For example, a highly detailed jade carving of a dragon or phoenix could sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars, while a simpler carving of a flower or animal may only sell for a few thousand dollars.
3. Size
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Larger pieces of jade are generally more valuable than smaller pieces, but the quality of the jade is still more important than its size. For example, a small, high-quality jade pendant could sell for several thousand dollars, while a larger, lower-quality jade pendant may only sell for a few hundred dollars.
4. Origin
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The origin of a jade gemstone can also affect its value. As mentioned, jade from Myanmar is generally considered to be the most valuable, but jade from other sources can also be highly prized. For example, a high-quality jadeite jade bangle from Myanmar could sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars, while a similar bangle made of nephrite jade from Canada may only sell for a few thousand dollars.
5. Texture
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The texture of a jade gemstone is another factor that affects its value. Smooth, even textures are generally more valuable than rough or pitted textures. For example, a high-quality jadeite jade pendant with a smooth, even texture could sell for tens of thousands of dollars, while a lower-quality pendant with a rough texture may only sell for a few hundred dollars.
6. Clarity
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The clarity of a jade gemstone is also important. Translucent or semi-translucent jade with no visible flaws or inclusions is generally more valuable than jade with visible inclusions or flaws. For example, a high-quality jadeite jade ring with no visible inclusions could sell for tens of thousands of dollars, while a similar ring with visible inclusions may only sell for a few thousand dollars.
It’s worth noting that the value of a jade gemstone is ultimately determined by a combination of these factors, as well as other factors such as the artist who created it, the rarity of the specific piece, and the current market demand. So while these factors can give a general idea of how jade is valued, the exact price of a jade gemstone can vary widely depending on a number of factors.
Why Jade Is Expensive
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Jade is a highly sought-after gemstone that is valued for its beauty, rarity, and cultural significance. The stone is found in only a few locations around the world, and its high-quality specimens are rare and difficult to extract. This scarcity drives up the price of jade, making it more valuable than gold.
Jade’s beauty is another factor that contributes to its high cost. The stone’s vibrant green color, unique patterns, and smooth texture make it a popular choice for jewelry and decorative objects. Jade’s luminous quality is highly prized by collectors and designers alike, and its aesthetic appeal has been appreciated by various cultures throughout history.
Jade’s cultural significance is also a significant contributor to its high cost. In China, jade has been revered as a symbol of wealth, power, and spirituality for more than 5,000 years. The stone was often used to create ceremonial objects and jewelry for the royal family, and it was believed to possess magical powers that could ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune to its owners. This longstanding cultural appreciation has contributed to the enduring demand for high-quality jade among Chinese consumers and collectors.
In addition, the process of extracting, cutting, and polishing jade is time-consuming and requires great skill and expertise. As a result, the labor costs associated with producing high-quality jade are also high, adding to the overall expense of the stone.
Overall, jade’s rarity, beauty, cultural significance, and labor-intensive production process all contribute to its high cost. Despite its expense, the stone remains a highly coveted and treasured gemstone for those seeking a symbol of luxury, status, and spirituality.
The History of Jade
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Jade is a gemstone with a long and rich history, dating back thousands of years. It has been used by various cultures for its beauty, durability, and spiritual properties. Jade is a term used to describe two different types of mineral: nephrite and jadeite.
Nephrite jade is the older and more widely distributed of the two types. It has been used by humans for more than 8,000 years, and was the primary type of jade used in ancient China. Nephrite jade is found in a range of colors, including white, gray, yellow, brown, and green. The green variety of nephrite is the most valuable and highly prized.
Jadeite jade, on the other hand, was not discovered until the 18th century. It is rarer than nephrite and is found primarily in Burma (Myanmar), although it is also found in smaller quantities in other parts of the world. Jadeite is typically more valuable than nephrite, and is prized for its vibrant green color, translucency, and luster.
Throughout history, jade has been used for a variety of purposes, including jewelry, tools, weapons, and ceremonial objects. In China, jade has been associated with royalty, power, and spirituality for more than 5,000 years. It was often used to create elaborate ceremonial objects and jewelry for the royal family, and was believed to possess magical properties that could protect against evil spirits and bring good luck to its owners.
Jade has also been used in other cultures throughout history. In Central America, the Maya and Aztec civilizations used jade for ceremonial objects and jewelry, while in New Zealand, the Maori people used jade (known as “pounamu”) for tools and weapons.
Today, jade remains a highly prized and sought-after gemstone. Its beauty, durability, and cultural significance continue to make it a popular choice for jewelry and decorative objects, and its rarity and value ensure that it will remain a valuable commodity for generations to come.
How to Identify Jade
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Identifying real jade can be a challenging task, as there are many imitations and synthetic versions of the stone in the market. However, there are a few key characteristics that can help you determine if the jade you have is genuine or not.
One of the first things to look for is the color of the jade. Genuine jade can come in a variety of colors, but the most prized and valuable is a rich, deep green color. However, it’s important to note that some types of jade can also come in shades of white, gray, yellow, and brown. If the color of the jade appears too bright or unnatural, it may be a fake.
Another factor to consider is the texture and surface of the jade. Real jade will typically have a smooth, polished surface that feels cool to the touch. If the surface of the stone is rough or uneven, it may be an imitation or a lower-quality type of jade.
You can also test the hardness of the jade by scratching it with a sharp object. Genuine jade is a very hard stone and will not scratch easily. If the stone shows visible scratches or damage, it may be a fake or lower-quality jade.
Finally, it’s a good idea to have the jade examined by a professional gemologist or expert in jade identification. They can use specialized tools and techniques to determine if the stone is genuine and provide a more accurate assessment of its quality.
